Byen Venu!

In early September, I was brought on as the local program coordinator by Kids Connection Haiti (KCH), a nongovernmental organization that works especially with young adults who are at risk due to an absence of financial, familial or other support systems (many of these youth are just aging out of an orphanage or protective care).  KCH is a small operation, and due in large part to the earthquake is just establishing a presence in Port au Prince for an extended period.  In fact, I will be the first person to hold the local program coordinator position, a circumstance that I am sure will provide some great challenges and opportunities.  While it’s a bit daunting for everything to be falling into place, it’s also one of the reasons I am so excited about working in Haiti.  Since the organization is relatively small, it will give me and KCH the chance to communicate directly with the applicants, beneficiaries, and donors.  In other words, it affords us the opportunity to aid young people in building healthy, sustainable lives one person at a time.  I can’t wait to start the ball rolling, and I’ll update this blog weekly (at least) to share some of my experiences with the process.

As for the aforementioned challenges, not all are confined to my role in Haiti; the most immediate concern is fundraising.  I will live in Haiti for six months, with $1200 of my expenses paid for by a stipend from KCH.  The rest is up to me to fundraise.  A breakdown of the expected costs over the six month period:

$2400 – Room rental just outside Port au Prince (prices have increased to match the demand created by aid workers in the wake of the earthquake)
$1800 – Food and clean water
$500 – Flight
$500 – In-country transportation, communication, and other unforeseen costs

Already, the support from friends and family has been inspiring.  Several people have shared their contacts and knowledge of the country and helped set up events, meetings, and channels for donation.  Others have already generously donated.   

Some of the most pointed help so far has come from my Camp Arrowhead family.  Arrowhead, on the Rehobeth Bay in Lewes, Delaware is the summer camp of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, where I have worked for the last six summers.  Within a day of my accepting the position, the Diocese helped me set up a Tax-ID number for donations (so all donations are tax deductible), which will run through the camp.  To be completely honest, this blog is currently functioning due in large part to my tech-savvy friend who has designed it. 

Some very basic stats for your thoughts regarding Haiti:

• Haiti is the world’s first black republic and the second independent nation in the western hemisphere
• For a period in its history, the island of Hispaniola (which Haiti now shares with the Dominican Republic) drew in more than the combined revenue of all the colonies that would become the United States.
• 80% of the population lives in poverty
• 70% is officially unemployed
• 55% is illiterate
• It is estimated that 173,000 Haitian children are restaveks (a form of child slavery)

If you would like to donate, please make checks payable to Camp Arrowhead/Haiti Relief. If your company or organization would like to make a contribution I will add a link your website on this blog.
Checks can be sent to:

Episcopal Diocese of Delaware
Haiti Relief
2020 N Tatnall St
Wilmington DE, 19802

Thanks, and stay tuned for more updates.  If you think there is someone or something I should know that will aid me in the process, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line!

Bonjou

Chris