Fall 2024 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
I am sure you are wondering why you are receiving a second newsletter so soon? Well the reason is that the Foundation has moved to a new location, so the return envelopes with your donations has the wrong address. We were told the Postal Department would forward these letters for six months, giving us plenty of time to make the change in the Winter Letter. It seems this is not so as the donors have informed me they are getting returned mail because of wrong address. There is nothing you need to do differently than in the past as the return envelope now in this mailing has the new address of the Foundation.
Each time I write a letter I hope there will be some good news but last week there were 115 people killed by the gangs 20 miles south of us and 40 miles to the north 40 were killed. I was going to tell you how fortunate we had been in out town of not being invaded by the gangs. But yesterday, October 26, Roberto wrote me saying it had been a very long night as there was shooting in our town until 3 am. He and his family were very frightened as the gangs have no pattern of destruction. They burn some people’s homes and shoot at others for no reason so it is very hard to predict what one should be doing to protect themselves. So once again, I ask you to keep Haiti in your prayers as the US has evacuated another 30 embassy personal last week and the gangs have the Kenyan troops bottled up in their compound as the 2000 promised UN troops are not even headed there yet.
As undeveloped Haiti is, it is right near the top of collecting taxes (a good portion to crooked government officials). The past 16 years we have never been required to pay personal income tax, on the salary we have been paying our employees.
We were small enough of an organization with only 3 employees we were left alone. After doing some required legal work W4H has become known to the taxman. Now paying taxes in Haiti is not like you are used to with one stop at the court house. It took Roberto a week and probably 4 stops and that many buildings maybe even two different towns to pay the taxes on the compound, plates and tax on the vehicles, and now the new tax of withholding of salaries. The tax office asked Roberto to have our accountant, ha, bring him our records of salaries. We pay only in US dollars cash and I doubt any records past one year if that. If the tax man finds out we have paid nothing in 16 years, I have no idea of that outcome.
This letter gives me a good opportunity to share a letter Roberto received several months ago from an apparently well educated family which you can tell by the words and letter structure. It is the first formally written “Thank You” we have ever received, so it makes it extra special to the men and to W4H.
Dear Mr. Roberto, On behalf of the entire community of rue Sama, and in particular the Pierre Charles family, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the magnificent gesture you have made in providing us with a well. Thanks to your support, we now have access to drinking water, an essential resource for our daily lives.
Your initiative has not only improved living conditions in our homes, it has also strengthened the bond between members of the community, who now feel more united and united around this precious commodity. Our warmest thanks to you and your team for this great gift, which will have a lasting impact on our lives. We also salute your dedication and commitment to improving living conditions in our region.
The work of Water 4 Haiti is a model of altruism (the act of helping others at the cost of oneself), and we are honored to have been the beneficiaries of your generosity. Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless you, Mr. Roberto and your entire team. With all gratitude, NAHUM PIERRE CHARLES. For the Sama Street community and the Pierre Charles family.
I will say this letter is to all of you who over the years have made the same impact in hundreds of communities. You always get a Thank You, whether a hand shake, lots of smiles or a friendly wave, this letter is for you. Luke tells us in 6:38, “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap”.
Sincerely,
Chuck and the Faithful Board of Directors
Several weeks ago a charter member of our board, Mr. Bill Ballou, of Kearney passed away. It is with thanks that we send this Godly man to his just reward.