Life in Haiti

Life in Haiti February 28th, 2016
We havent been writing as much because we have been very busy. Our funding will end shortly after we return to the US; we will have to find jobs to support ourselves until we can find the funding we need to continue our work here. There is so much to do yet, we feel like we are really starting to make real progress. Our language skills are improving, we have established a solid core of people we can work with, and understand Haitian culture so much more. All of these things have taken time. There is also the aspect of being accepted into the community as people, not just another nonprofit handing out goods for a short time then leaving. Bob and I live with the faith that we have devoted ourselves to Gods work and he will show us the way. I am working on writing a grant and sending out request letters to foundations to find a foundation interested in supporting our work. There are obstacles such as many foundations will not support work with a religious affiliation or grant funds for operating expenses although they are a reality.
So these three months we are trying to get as many things accomplished as we possibly can, not knowing when we will be able to return. So far the pavilion is completely finished along with a depot. Now we are in the process of having a house for a guardian, an office, an outdoor kitchen, and composting toilets built at the Center. We received a grant from the JLG of the Salvatorian order to build these buildings. When this construction is finished the Center will finally be ready to open. How the Center will function is still unknown without our input, so far the people dont seem to have the vision or skills to bring the potential of the Center to its ultimate goal.
Last week was very uplifting we facilitated agricultural workshops with just under 200 participants. The participants were educated in four areas. The response was great, the people were very happy to gain the knowledge. Some of the people had been to our workshop last fall and reported their successes and failures with the new techniques, encouraging others to try the new ideas presented. There was also information given on two different pests ruining the sweet potatoes and millet crops in the area. I showed a video on growing Vanilla, it was very rewarding to give this information at the Center where you can see vanilla growing on many of the trees. The thing that struck me the most as far as our accomplishments in working here, was none of the participants asked us for money. They were just so grateful for the information being presented. This is a big step in the right direction. The concept of community is not a part of the Haitian culture, they do help each other out but for the most part they live in survival mode trying to make it through each day. I pray the information we were able to present can make positive changes amongst the people here. I will be heading up a second workshop on Nutrition in a couple of weeks. The area we are in malnutrition amoungst all the people is causing many problems. I have helped four children that had such extreme malnutrition that they needed to be hospitalized to stabilize them. The adults do not eat enough calories to work a full day. Pregnant women are under fed so when their children are born they cannot produce sufficient milk, and they dont have the money to buy formula. Not only is the lack of nutrition causing health problems but also it is evident that brain development is also being affected.
I know a large part of this problem is families lacking the funds to buy food. But I feel another part is lacking the knowledge of what good nutrition is. The work shop will include classes on nutrition itself, having a garden in your yard, sanitation and health, and also recipes to cook the food they can afford and grow in a more healthy way. I feel like this workshop will greatly impact the health of many of the children and families we serve. I also believe these workshops are teaching the people to fish. I will turn sixty in a couple of weeks and although I dont feel old I do realize the years we have to help here are numbered. Through education we are hoping to leave sustainable changes here so the people will someday not have to rely on outside help. Bob and I have come to understand they do not need hand outs but a hand up.
I ask that you pray for us that if Gods work is not finished here he will give us the wisdom on how to continue; if he has other plans for us we will be able to embrace our new vocation. I cannot see the day we wont return here at least for short visits, the schools could not function without the school sponsorships, the children would not eat if not for the school lunch program, the items sent on the shipping container will still need help to be distributed, the center will still need direction. There is not anyone one here with enough training or skills to administrate these programs to their full potential as of yet. But with a few more years I can see where that could become a reality.
Thank you for your interest support and prayers,
Denise Snyder s.d.s.