Folks,
The news from Haiti has been dire. The problems of political corruption and economic strangulation are pushing people into the streets, and the upheaval is growing. I have been watching the slow boil and occasional escalations for the last 18 months, but the situation has recently intensified into significant chaos and is now an international story.
It has also become a Haiti Reforestation Partnership story of some concern. In late October, on a Wednesday, I drove before dawn with a dear Haitian friend to the Port Au Prince airport so as to travel to the US for our October Board meeting. We were on the last leg of the drive when we turned down a street beyond the large PAP open market and were ambushed by a gang of 25 armed men who robbed and physically attacked us. Once they realized I was a US citizen, they backed off and let us go. I lost my money, cell phone, suitcases, and more. I arrived at JFK with the clothes on my back, flip flops on my feet, and my passport.
I plan to return to Haiti in early December. It is my home. It is the place where I have purpose and a wide community of friends. While I know that Haiti is coming apart at the seams, I also know that the people of Haiti when given an honest chance can change their world, and I can’t imagine stepping away from our work together.
And you should know that CODEP is forging ahead. Folks are in the planting season right now putting in the 210,000 seedlings that have been grown in the nurseries. They are also beginning to start seedlings for the planting round in May. The difficulty is that they cannot get the plastic bags that hold the seeds and soil. They will try to recycle old ones, and I hope to carry bags with me in December. Their circumstances are not easy. Roads in and around the cities are blocked, and markets are hard to reach — and are hard to stock. Food is tight. Banks are closed. Schools are mostly closed. Our CODEP school is open when possible but it’s tough. The gourde is diminishing in value rapidly.
I have requests to make of you, especially as we approach Thanksgiving and the holidays:
- Keep CODEP and all of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.
- Be generous in your gifts to Haiti Reforestation Partnership as we need your donations more than ever to weather these times and emerge with good energy for our work.
- Follow the reports of Haiti in the international press. We must be informed so as to share the story as accurately as possible.
Michael Anello
Executive Director
Madame Elysee explains seed germination. Planting techniques are also taught in the local school.
The people of CODEP don’t stop. The work in the nurseries continues so as to be ready for the next planting in May.
We plant trees and good things happen!
Make a donation or send your check to the address below.
– Thank you from all of us at Haiti Reforestation Partnership