Important Issues - Lavi Project

Crisis in Haiti

Hello Team,
  I am sure most of you have been keeping an eye on the Haiti situation. Up until recently, there was not much to report. The protests and demonstrations had been about par for similar uprisings in the past. However, in my past few conversations with Franceli he shared that the demonstrations are getting more intense and violent and are now moving to areas of the city much closer to him and his family.
   Thankfully the Lavi Project medical team traveled safely home just one week before the major demonstrations broke out. We do not have any plans to send teams back to Haiti until the civil unrest is resolved.
The very oversimplified version of the current situation is that the people of Haiti have been repressed, oppressed, marginalized, brutalized, and subjected to the most corrupt government in the Western Hemisphere and they are letting their voices be heard.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in the capital, Port-au-Prince, demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, who has been blamed for the country's economic woes after pledging to the people he would put an end to corruption and poverty if he was elected. Since his election nothing has changed, and in many ways, has gotten much worse. The cost of everything: food, water, gas and taxes, as well as many other staples, has in many cases tripled and quadrupled under Moise's rule.
That quick current event update is to bring me to this, Franceli and Julie and the children of Bousol Timoun are in desperate need of our help.
    Franceli and Julie are a very important part of Lavi Project and are crucial to our success in the country. They founded the orphanage together and I have been working with Franceli and Julie for over 15 years. I have watched them dedicate their lives to the orphanage creating a place of safety, education and nurturing for each child.
The immediate crisis:
The orphanage usually receives a food shipment/donation every 2 months, right now there is no feasible way for them to receive this shipment due to the demonstrations and road barricades.  The orphanage is sitting right now on approx. 1 to 1.5 weeks’ worth of food, if rationed well. The orphanage currently has 53 children plus 10-12 staff. If this crisis continues they will run out of food. Franceli also wanted me to include Wilson, Berthony, and Jonas in this, as they are trusted workers who rely very heavily on their employment with Franceli.
Due to Franceli's connections he can get food from one of the few large supply warehouses, but he needs funds to make it happen.
The average monthly cost of keeping the orphanage staffed and feed is roughly $12,000us. Please consider donating to help Bousol Timoun keep their children and staff safe and fed during this very difficult time.
   At this time, we are looking to raise enough to cover one month, ($12,000us) of food and staff expenses. With the understanding that this crisis could continue or even escalate, we could need to reevaluate our fund raising on a month to month basis.
   Lavi Project will manage all donations and 100% of all funds donated during this time will be directed to Bousol Timoun and its essential staff being managed directly by Franceli and Julie on the ground in Haiti.
   To donate please scroll to the bottom of this blog or go to Laviproject.org and click the DONATE NOW button.
Thank you all for what you do and your consideration during this time of difficulty for our friends in Haiti.
Sincerely,
Bob Bancroft, Founder and CEO of Lavi Project

February 19th, 2019

2/19/2019

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