And the people suffer…

As far as we know very little news is being reported in the USA about current conditions in Haiti.

First, we are safe in the countryside. We are preparing for evaluation if necessary.

The following is a post from Gail Grady.
Gail is one of 8 other non-Haitian people that live and work in our area.

Asking for prayers for Haiti. The people are fed up. When they reach their breaking point they take to the streets to protest. They try everything to get the government to listen ~ burning tires, throwing rocks, blocking roads, halting transportation.

They are hungry, they are sick, hospitals are closed, kids are malnourished, there is no gas, there is no diesel, costs at the market rise every week, salaries do not, there are not enough jobs, teachers don\’t get paid so they don\’t come to school, students can\’t pass the state exams if they are not taught, the government’s misuse of funds continues ~ the list goes on and on.

Adding to all of this is the decrease in value of the Haitian currency. When I first came to Haiti in 2010 the exchange rate for $1.00 was 34 gourdes. In 2014 it was 42 gourdes. In 2018 it was 64 gourdes. It is now 83 gourdes and rising almost EVERY day.

The reality of that is that if you made 500 gourdes a day (a bit more than minimum wage):
> in 2010 you had the spending power of about $14.70 US
> in 2014 you had the spending power of about $11.90 US
> in 2018 you had the spending power of $7.80 US
> today you have the spending power of $6.02 US

Please pray for safety on the streets in the entire country. These manifestations are not limited to Port-au-Prince. Several people were killed this past week, both civilians and police. People deserve answers yet they get none. Violence is not the answer but when people are desperate, when they have nowhere to turn, this is the result.