Friends of Haiti,

Last month, we received extra giving ($1,000) to supplement the feeding programs. And we appreciate it–but we also appreciate those who give to any program. We added the extra to the existing programs in order to feed more kids, rather than starting a new program and then having to stop once that money is used.

We’d like to give you an idea what certain things might cost in Haiti. This is by no means the country-wide price; what you might pay in one of the villages would be different than in town or in one of the road side markets.

  • 1 pound of chicken: $4.26
  • 12 eggs: $4.39
  • 16 ounces of cheese: $9.00
  • 1 pound of potatoes: $3.56
  • 1 quart of milk: well over $2.00 (but we don’t know anyone in the villages who would buy this)
  • Tube of toothpaste: $5.40
  • 1.5oz roll-on deodorant: $5.95

A 15-minute visit to see a private doctor will set you back, on average, $25.00. Most mission medical clinics don’t charge anything–or if they do, it might be $5-$10 Haitian dollars at the most, used to pay those helping in the clinic.

What affects our ministry and those who operate nutrition programs is the increasing cost of rice and beans. Prior to the 90’s and President Clinton’s flooding Haiti’s market with cheap American rice, Haitian farmers grew most of the rice they use. Even today the Department of Agriculture is planning to send our surplus of peanuts to Haiti, in an attempt to help. But all it will do is put the Haitian peanut farmer out of business as well. Currently, rice in Caberet, where we buy ours, is $35 (US) for 25 pounds, which is what we buy for one school for one time. Beans are $45 dollars for the same amount. It doesn’t take a lot of math to see that adds up to be quite a costly endeavor. And let’s not forget this is where an average person makes 3 U.S. dollars a day.

We tell you these things so you can see how much programs like ours means to the people they serve. As we have said before, we are not the only ones doing this; we’re all in the same boat. When we say thank you for helping, you can see why. We certainly couldn’t do this on our own.

Medical update: Terry is pretty much the same; she had 5 more shots this month. They changed her medicines again in an attempt to find one that helps with the leg and feet pain. So far, these aren’t helping that much either.

Thank you again for your faithful help and prayers. Let’s all pray for a quiet hurricane season here and in Haiti.

Serving HIM,

Steve and Terry