Published Mon, Feb 20, 23.
Written by Rebecca Honorat.
I hope you have enjoyed your Family Day long weekend so far.
Our family started the weekend by going to the Vancouver Warriors lacrosse game and we are ending it by having Mama's famous macaroni & cheese casserole and watching a family movie. We even got in some mid-winter gardening!
I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with our family in Canada and I definitely appreciate the downtime from our busy schedule. However, this holiday is a bit bittersweet for our family. We are thinking of our family in Haiti (Renel's parents in Gonaives, siblings in Gonaives & Grand Goave, and cousins scattered across many towns in Haiti & beyond).
The situation in Haiti is grave. The gangs continue to take new territory and the Haitian Police is losing ground, and losing members. Renel's family, and the families we support through Alongside Haiti, are struggling in ways we can't imagine, and their well-being is heavy on our hearts.
While the situation is continuing to disintegrate in Haiti, it is not without hope. We are hearing consistent feedback from our families and we are encouraged to hear that they are persevering, and they are hopeful for what is on the other side of this chaos. They are grateful their children are able to go to school and that they, as parents, have access to support when they need it.
Financial assistance is difficult to find in Haiti, and what is available often has crippling conditions attached to it. A recent report (linked here) from Unicef stated, “The importance of community- based support cannot be emphasized enough as it is key to keeping families together in a part of the world where, we know all too well, so many children continue to live in institutional care – and often experience multiple deprivations.” Afshan Khan, Regional Director, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia.
Thanks to your generous support, Alongside is providing families with practical resources while allowing them to remain together and make choices that they feel are best for their family.
Despite the obvious turmoil in Haiti, Alongside has had a productive year and our programs have seen measurable growth in sustaining ways. Below is our 2022 Year End Report - I hope you find it encouraging.
