School isn’t off to the start we hoped for in Haiti. The continuing political problems have prevented it from starting on time. Those over the schools thought there is no sense in the kids trying to get to school with the problems going on around them and then trying to get back home too. Fortunately, all the storms that have formed have by-passed Haiti and we haven’t had that worry.
One of the concerns we face each day is the older folks who live near the schools. In Haiti, if you are a woman, elderly and have no family, you’ve got problems. Each day several elderly ladies come to eat with the kids because this is their only meal too. Since there is no social security system in Haiti, they also have no access to health care, except through mission clinics. I have seen them turned away from some of those if they can’t pay something. During my first trip to Haiti in 1994, that was one of the things that stuck in my mind – older folks and kids turned away because they had no money.
We provide figures about the nutrition programs at each place, but those numbers don’t include the elderly who eat, or the kids who aren’t in school who come to eat, or to clinic. They aren’t turned away and they have never had to pay.
These pictures show some of those who eat daily; they are also provided any medication they need, which is almost always blood pressure meds.
Some, such as the woman I am sitting with, are given a sow, some are given chickens, and we have purchased a goat for some. Following the lead of the Heifer Project, each person who gets an animal must pass one along to another woman who will do the same for someone else. It doesn’t cost that much and in a very short time, they can provide for themselves.
Terry has surgery to have a catheter placed in her chest October 10th. Chemo will begin after that, and hopefully a stem cell transplant before Christmas. She has a rough road ahead and needs your prayers.
We appreciate all you do for us and for our friends in Haiti. All of you are always in our daily prayers and we are very thankful for each of you.
