Ayiti Cheri Toujou
About seven months ago, I wrote a post titled "Ayiti Cheri." This means beautiful or darling Haiti. It's an expression used by many to describe Haiti. I have titled this post "Ayiti Cheri Toujou," translating into the idea that Haiti is still beautiful.
Seven months ago, Haiti was experiencing unrest. The general population was distraught over a spike in gas prices surrounding subsidies. Some Haitians chose to take to the streets as a sign of protest. Some Haitians chose to burn tires and shoot guns as a sign of protest. Other Haitians chose to shelter in place, waiting for the unrest to past.
They have resiliently been living their lives for the last seven months. Doing the best that they can to survive. To feed their families. To send their kids to school.
But tensions remained. Fuel shortages began to happen frequently. The Haitian currency, the goude, has been depreciating at an alarming rate.** The price of staples goods is increasing. Economic crisis started to creep in.
Families are struggling. They are working hard and nothing is changing. The problems that were problems seven months ago are still problems today.
This week, some Haitians have taken to the streets again as a sign of protest. They want change. They want to send their kids to school. They want to have food on the table. They want to know how the government is spending the country's money.
While violence may still not be the answer, the Haitians are fighting. That fighting didn't start in the streets.
That fighting started when they continued to work hard despite not having the same money they used to. Their wages aren't stretching as far as they used to. That fighting started in their hearts when they wanted to take care of their families.
That fighting is what makes Haiti beautiful. That Haiti is the Haiti that I love and adore. That Haiti is the Haiti that covets your prayers. That Haiti is the Haiti that desperately seeks change and rightfully so. That Haiti is the Haiti that will keep fighting -- even if it doesn't go their way. Because family matters.
While some of Haiti may be fighting out loud, many are fighting silently -- resiliently.
Pray for that Haiti. Pray for change. Pray for peace. Pray for resolution. Pray for economic growth.
Haiti is still a beautiful place if you choose to look in the right places. Bondye ap kenbe nou nan men Li. (God is holding Haiti in His hands.)
All the love friends,
Caitlin
**The current exchange rate is about 82 goudes for 1 USD. Minimum wage in Haiti is around 400 goudes (almost $5) a day. When I moved here two and half years ago, the exchange rate was around 60 gourdes for 1 USD.
While I did not write this post as a solicitation for support, some of you may be curious how you can help. First and foremost pray. If you feel so led to aid in our support of Haitian families, you can donate here. Once you reach our website, you can click the donate button.
Seven months ago, Haiti was experiencing unrest. The general population was distraught over a spike in gas prices surrounding subsidies. Some Haitians chose to take to the streets as a sign of protest. Some Haitians chose to burn tires and shoot guns as a sign of protest. Other Haitians chose to shelter in place, waiting for the unrest to past.
They have resiliently been living their lives for the last seven months. Doing the best that they can to survive. To feed their families. To send their kids to school.
But tensions remained. Fuel shortages began to happen frequently. The Haitian currency, the goude, has been depreciating at an alarming rate.** The price of staples goods is increasing. Economic crisis started to creep in.
Families are struggling. They are working hard and nothing is changing. The problems that were problems seven months ago are still problems today.
This week, some Haitians have taken to the streets again as a sign of protest. They want change. They want to send their kids to school. They want to have food on the table. They want to know how the government is spending the country's money.
While violence may still not be the answer, the Haitians are fighting. That fighting didn't start in the streets.
That fighting started when they continued to work hard despite not having the same money they used to. Their wages aren't stretching as far as they used to. That fighting started in their hearts when they wanted to take care of their families.
That fighting is what makes Haiti beautiful. That Haiti is the Haiti that I love and adore. That Haiti is the Haiti that covets your prayers. That Haiti is the Haiti that desperately seeks change and rightfully so. That Haiti is the Haiti that will keep fighting -- even if it doesn't go their way. Because family matters.
While some of Haiti may be fighting out loud, many are fighting silently -- resiliently.
Pray for that Haiti. Pray for change. Pray for peace. Pray for resolution. Pray for economic growth.
Haiti is still a beautiful place if you choose to look in the right places. Bondye ap kenbe nou nan men Li. (God is holding Haiti in His hands.)
All the love friends,
Caitlin
**The current exchange rate is about 82 goudes for 1 USD. Minimum wage in Haiti is around 400 goudes (almost $5) a day. When I moved here two and half years ago, the exchange rate was around 60 gourdes for 1 USD.
While I did not write this post as a solicitation for support, some of you may be curious how you can help. First and foremost pray. If you feel so led to aid in our support of Haitian families, you can donate here. Once you reach our website, you can click the donate button.
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