June 9, 2020 update
The Covid-19 cases in Haiti which was only 25 cases with 1 death during our last update on April 8, has now ballooned to a total of 3538 total cases of which 3460 are active cases, 54 deaths and 24 recoveries. It is indeed a troubling and worrisome time for the world and in Haiti, more than doubly so. Added to this, is the fact that about half the population of Haiti (~ 12 million), live below poverty lines as defined by the World Bank and another 40% of the population characterized as being “food insecure” by the UN.
In a May 8, 2020 news release, the 17-member Ad Hoc United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a group chaired by Canada, is warning concerning Haiti that, quote “Unless adequately managed, the COVID-19 health emergency and its socio-economic impact could become a humanitarian catastrophe, threatening to unravel some of the hard-won development and security gains achieved in the past decade and half in Haiti”. This UN report among other concerns, sights the current hurricane season that is just beginning, as one to keep an eye on. Being in Haiti means that we are equally impacted as all the other people living in the island by whatever befalls Haiti.
The kids in their new vehicle
Camille has been in regular communication with our children and the house mother. They are all doing well Healthwise and are in good spirits. They, as virtually people everywhere, are tired of being sheltered in place but they fully understand that it is not safe out there. They have been able to continue their school work in a very unique way. Unlike over here where the use of technology has allowed students to continue their education online, the house mother has been going to the school and collects school work for the kids from time to time. Their year-end exams are scheduled for July and please pray for them for retentive memories so that they can all pass their exams and none will be left behind to repeat a class. Their driver, who is also an associate pastor at the children’s church, together with the house mother have been tutoring the kids at home and helping them with their school work. They miss us terribly as we miss them too. The plan is for at least Camille and Sam to visit them as soon as travel restrictions are lifted to and from the Island.
Thanks to the regular donations to this work by some of you, we have been able to maintain our level of staffing and provisions at the home and the kids are not really lacking. Food and other commodity prices have stabilized thankfully but they remain relatively higher than they were just a few months ago. We need you all to please continue to remember WHCC and Haiti in your prayers and in your support. We don’t want to see any erosion of gains we have made in the last ten years but rather to push ahead because the need in Haiti is relentless. We need to be in a good fiscal position to get through this and expected difficult times ahead.
Thank you all for your prayers and support and for hanging in there with us. We appreciate it!
Please stay safe and may God continue to bless you all.
