Dear Water4Haiti Friends,

I had so wanted to tell you good news in this letter but I am sorry things have not changed any in the past several months. If you remember back in Oct of 25 a group of gang members came into our town of Montrouis and said everyone must leave within 24 hours and can take nothing with you. Our boss wants to make this his headquarters. Still by December our compound had not been bothered and we were praising God for our good fortune. Well, a month ago our luck ran out and the gangs broke in and stole anything they could carry. Tools, fuel, tires, air compressor, generators and the list goes on. Our one bit of hope to hang onto is that they did not do damage just because they could. They are sleeping in the house and I worry about the cabinets, doors, windows being wrecked beyond repair. If you are of the mindset to shoot 22,000 people I would imagine shooting out a whole set of windows is just for fun. One mission they just ripped the toilets right out of the floor and then smashed them. Even if possible, repairing damage such as that is going to be very expensive, more so than fixing pumps. For 18 years we did a little bit at a time of what we could afford. From sleeping on the ground to finally a roof, walls, beds and running water.

As donors I am sure it has crossed your mind of what are W4H’s future plans. So has the board and we are just going to have to wait until the gangs are brought under control by another country and we can return to the compound and then asses the damages. We have kept the 3 employees on the payroll because, letting them go and then we having to retrain a new team, isn’t going to work as far as time, knowing where the pumps are, just everything as they have grown with us and know all there is to know to repairing a pump. 17 yrs, 15yrs and 8 yrs experience is not going to be replaced in 6 months. The board decided to go to the end of the year and then make some very tough decisions. No, it is not taking much money now but think of all of the items which will have to be replaced mentioned earlier. We have a new supply of pumps and pipe ordered 4 years ago which thankfully never got delivered to our compound and are several hundred miles away safe from any gang activity. Thankfully it had never been delivered as the order has over $30,000 in parts. When we do get to return, it would be a good possibility another repair team would be formed, headed by one of our experienced employees to help catch up repairing pumps. That is if there are any vehicles they left in good enough to be used. Isn’t this a grim and sad letter and not knowing at all what the situation is in so many areas? Please keep praying and trusting in the Lord.

I know that some supporters are going to think, “They are not repairing pumps and I have supported them for so many years maybe this would just be a good time to lessen or even stop my giving. I have helped them for so many years.” But as you can see just replacing the stolen and destroyed equipment is going to take probably a whole year’s budget. So, what I am asking please do not forget us even if you lower your giving for a while.

You have seen the videos and heard the stories over the past 18 years and you can see the need you are helping to provide. I am going to share a letter Roberto received a few years ago and this seemed a very appropriate time to share it with you.

“Rue Sama, St. Marc Oct 1, 2024.” “To the attention of Water 4 Haiti”. “Mr. Roberto and all of the team.” Subject: “Thank you for building the well.” “Dear Mr. Roberto, on behalf of the entire community of ru 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 safe, clean 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 out lives. We also salute your dedication and commitment to improving living conditions in our region. The work of Water4Haiti is a model of altruism (unselfish concern and devotion to the welfare of others, expecting no reward),( I, Chuck had to look that word up), 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 the entire team. With all of our gratitude, NAHUM PIERRE CHARLES. For the Sama Street community and the Pierre Charles family.

As you can tell this letter was written by an educated person. Which shows even more appreciation for a pump as an educated family would not usually have anything to worry about the common poor family about getting water because educated and higher standard of living people would most time have water delivered to their large cistern.

So in closing, thank you for the years as partners in repairing 4000 pumps, 90+new wells, toilets, 5 bath houses, 18 sewing machines and 65 irrigation installations which you helped keep us going is as important to a community, educated, poor or rich. Haitians have a synonym that says, “If there were a word better than “Thank you”, I would use it. This is also to “W4H Supporters” I know this was too long but I am trying to keep you up to date of the situation of W4H, the Board’s plans and the situation as a whole.

Sincerely,

Chuck and the W4H Board Members

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