Haiti is in Crisis. Support Petit Trou with our Community Response Fund.

Dear Friends,

You may have seen two recent New York Times headlines on Haiti. One featured the phrase "There is No Hope," the other, "Does Anyone Care?"

As you likely know, our message tends to focus on progress, beauty, and potential—on the wrongness of the "single story" of Haiti and on the talent of our local leaders. That said, these articles are not sensationalist, or reductionist, or lazy. There's been no earthquake or hurricane, but Haiti is truly in crisis.

In Petit Trou, the cost of food is soaring, goods and people are not able to move through the country, and our friends are very uncertain about what tomorrow will bring. The cost of rice has doubled. Gas and diesel are three times what they were two months ago. Parents are scared about what comes next.

CHP has wrestled with what our role should be in a moment like this. We are not a relief organization, but we can provide relief, and we can do it through local leaders who know their community best. For that reason, we are creating a Community Response Fund to help local leaders respond to the crisis.

This response will focus on three main areas:

  • Additional direct support for vulnerable patients through community-based health workers

  • Zero-interest microloans to families in crisis through community-based savings collectives

  • Enhanced investment in existing agricultural co-ops and food security initiatives

If you'd like to help, please donate here and type "Community Response Fund" in the "additional details" box. If you'd like to send a check, please do the same in the designation line. 100 percent of your gift will go directly to this crisis response.

If you'd like to learn more about the current situation or discuss our approach, please call me anytime at 347.348.2587.

With gratitude,

Wynn

Wynn Walent