Motivation is a temporary emotion. It rises up easily and frequently, but quickly fades with inaction. We see this all the time – diets become fads, New Year’s resolutions fade, organizations formed with the best of intentions, fail. Twenty percent of small businesses fail in the first 12 months, fifty percent within 5 years, and only 1/3 of organizations remain open 10 years later. In October, Chances for Children celebrates 16 years of serving the children and communities of Haiti with our 10th annual Night of Hope fundraiser.

Haiti is a very difficult country to operate in, which may be understating the reality. At times it seems impossible to get things done. So the question is why has Chances for Children not only survived, but thrived in a country that chews up and spits out many people’s first wave of enthusiasm and motivation.

The answer to that question is this: while motivation is temporary, discipline is permanent. The leadership, staff and loyal supporters of C4C hold and share a common discipline and deep connection.  The result is a complete, functional team able to manage the challenges, and keep pushing the rock uphill in a chaotic country. C4C has a unique knack in achieving little victories. Daily victories add up, and end up transforming the lives of 1000’s of children.

Motivation is temporary, discipline is permanent. Discipline gives kids a chance at a healthier and more productive life.

We know many of you continue to support our programs and sponsor children – and we are very grateful for your commitment. C4C depends on all of you to help us uplift children and families. We are prayerful that the situation in Haiti will change, that the gangs will be eliminated and that all of you can return to serve alongside us. Until then we would love your suggestions on how best to keep our updates engaging and interesting. Please send a reply email to let us know of any ideas or thoughts you have on  how you would like to receive updates or interact with the kids or programs you support. Your involvement with C4C is critical to our success.

 

Here is a short update on what’s been happening the last 3 months in Haiti.

“Gangs are increasing their chokehold on Haiti’s capital, using bulldozers to raze entire neighborhoods, overwhelming poorly armed police and taking their violence to within blocks of the seat of government. While Haitians have endured relentless bloodshed and tragedy for years, the escalation of lawlessness in recent weeks and the government’s inability to exert control has terrified the nation.”

NY TIMES article June 30, 2022

 

“One gang, the G-9 Family and Allies run by a former policeman named Jimmy Chérizier, who is known as Barbecue, has gained control of  Cité Soleil, wresting it away from a rival gang, the G-pèp. In many ways, “Barbecue” embodies the reasons Haiti is where it is today: the country’s political and business elites have supported competing gangs to achieve their own objectives, whittling away any semblance of a functioning nation.” NY Times  The G-9 is believed to be supported by political figures seeking to suppress protests or to force the people to vote a certain way. Haiti’s big business families pay off gang members to advance their economic interests, including safe passage of their goods, which dock at Port-au-Prince’s ports. Gangs smuggle in large quantities of weapons and ammunition through the country’s seaports, shipments facilitated by government officials.

Pierre Espérance, the executive director of the National Human Rights Defense Network, a Haitian organization, states “Haiti’s big families are supporting the gangs to get what they want. They don’t want a stable situation, accountability or the ability of citizens to organize against them. Haitians are hostages.”

Meanwhile, inflation has increased nearly 26% over this time last year, making the price of goods virtually unattainable for over half the population. Fuel is in short supply causing prices to increase and making it difficult to provide power and transportation.

One of our staff members told us, “It is one thing to worry about fuel costs, it is another thing entirely to have to worry about dying on the way to school or the local market.”

What does the current situation mean for C4C and you? It means that we must find it within ourselves to be even more innovative in our approach and go above and beyond to carry out our mission each and every day. For example, if the roads leading to the north are blocked by gangs, then we find backroads to take. If trucks can’t deliver food because of the gang activity, then we load up motos to go over the mountains to deliver the food. If we can’t send doctors and nurses to see children, then we find ways to get the children to us.

Your financial support enables C4C to serve Haiti’s children even in these difficult times.

We all long for the day when we can return to Haiti to serve. At C4C our promise is to continue to put one foot in front of the other,  keeping the children of Haiti front and center in our thoughts and actions.  With your help, God’s grace and the dedicated team in Haiti we will not let the children of Haiti become forgotten.

Our Night of Hope fundraiser is right around the corner and we look forward to your support.