This past Monday we had our board meeting and discussed many things but for now we have a few I would LOVE to share with you... They are ways YOU can come alongside the ministry and help the people of Haiti.
1. Feeding program in Chaveneau- When we were there in March we were blessed to be able to provide a hot meal of rice, beans and fish to ALL 50 students, the staff, our team, and three families who are dear to the ministry. This was expensive to do on a regular basis, BUT we talked about the feasibility of at least providing a daily SNACK for the children (peanut butter, bread, fruit, etc...) and perhaps do the hot meal a few times per month. We have set up an account for starting a feeding program and anticipate that it will cost about $500 per week to provide this service (perhaps a bit less- not sure until we begin doing it). That will pay for the snack, the person to get the food (transportation, etc...), the person(s) to prepare the food (cut it, make the sandwiches, etc...) and all other expenses
2. Clean water in Chaveneau and at the orphanage. In Port au Prince we need to dig a well and in both locations we need to construct a building to hold the water treatment system. Both have been approved and are on the waiting list for a system- we just need to get those buildings up! WE need people to come (construction teams) and funds for this!
3. Teacher salaries/operating expenses in Chaveneau. Currently only ONE class is sponsored and the teachers have been working without pay for over 3 mos. because Pastor Duval can not afford to pay all this out of his pocket. Would YOU or your church consider sponsoring a class for $75 per month? (or a student who can not afford school- though Pastor Duval lets them still come- for $25 per month?)
4. Orphan sponsors. The orphanage has over 80 children on the roster and we only have sponsors for 18 right now. Sponsorship is $32 per month and helps provide food, clothing, education, personal items, etc..
5. Physical donations. We are always in need of school supplies, clothing, shoes (black dress shoes, sandals and sneakers are especially helpful), personal items (underwear, feminine products, shampoo, deodorant, etc..), and more. ALSO: if you can help with organizing donations we would LOVE someone to take on this project. We would like to get a container shipped this fall but need to pack, organize and collect all donations as well as raise funds for shipping. I just do not have time/energy to do it all!
6. Truck to Haiti. We are ready to ship the truck (working on details) but it will cost $5000 and we have $2000- not good. We need to raise the remaining money quickly to get the truck there to use! This is a very REAL need for the ministry- we spend so much on transportation. Just this March trip we spent over $1200 for transportation and $800 of that was money that we wouldn't need to spend if we had our truck there! (though we still would have had to pay gas)
7. House to rent! Again, one of those needs that may not look important to people, but we are spending a lot on lodging which we could save for the ministry to help Haitians. Without having our own place we are forced to keep donations in bags, suitcases, etc.. It would be so beneficial to have a room set up to keep donations, we could build bunk beds for teams to use, the team would have privacy, a place to keep other supplies we need to have on hand, etc. Houses rent for about $3500 to $5000 per year which you must pay up front when you sign the lease. After our initial investment we should be able to keep money aside from each team and maintain annual rent. We are waiting for God to give us the funds before we start looking at what location He would have for us!
8. Of course- ANY financial contribution will be appreciated. If you donate and mark your donation as "greatest need" we will use it wisely - that is our promise to you. When I go to Haiti, I am blessed to have friends who have committed to paying for ALL my flights - that is their contribution to the ministry. I do NOT travel around much even though it would be beneficial to do so (to network with other ministries) because of the cost. I live very frugally- usually eating one to two meals per day as the Haitians do. As much as possible the money donated goes DIRECTLY to the people of Haiti - particularly the children. That is our commitment to you and to them. So please do not worry that your donations are funding all my trips to Haiti. (people have asked since they see that I go almost monthly and it's a good question)
Donations can be sent to Hearts United with Haiti PO Box 55 Morgantown, PA 19543 or you can donate online from our website. (www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org). You can also find information on there about trips to Haiti if you would like to come and serve with us or visit the ministry. God bless! -Crystal
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