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Thank you for your contributions. We've continued to put the funds to use in accompanying our families with essential services. Haiti remains to be a difficult place to live, but our work there hasn't stopped. While some of our collectors are able to collect in areas safe from gang violence and unrest, others are forced to relocate for safety. Your support allows us to do what it takes to keep them safe and productive so that they are able to continue their work in waste collection and earn a living. 

We thought we’d share a few questions we’ve been asked recently. Please reach out to us at support@dowork.org if you have any questions or if you're interested in learning more about our work. Thank you for your support. 

What are the greatest challenges faced by our families today?

Insecurity, the cost of fuel, and cholera are three of the biggest challenges our families face today. The insecurity has been at an unprecedented level. It’s widespread. Over 60% of Port-au-Prince is controlled by gangs. As gangs grow in power, they have also expanded their reach beyond Port-au-Prince. Many collectors and center owners in those areas have been impacted. It has resulted in displacement, and the shutting down of essential services such as waste collection and clean water distribution, which the medical community believes is part of the reason for the return of Cholera. To add, with the cost of fuel being so high, up to $ 40 USD per gallon at one point, it’s made it more difficult for our families to leave their homes to gather essential supplies even when it’s safer out.

Given these challenges, how have our families been able to get by? 

Our families and team in Haiti have had to rally together to support each other. They communicate often to keep each other informed and safe.  They accompany each other when they need to leave their homes so no one is on their own.  In the event that evacuations have been needed, families have offered their homes to each other. There’s never extra space but there’s always just enough space. Our community has worked as a unit and leaders have stepped up in ways far beyond what anyone has expected.

What else do our families need? What kind of support have they asked for?

Over the last month, as fuel was made available, public transportation started to run again. Some schools have reopened, but without a clear idea as to how long they can remain open before the situation worsens. Some businesses have also reopened with caution. Our families have asked for support in helping their children return to school. In particular, the cost of transportation, food, and school supplies has doubled or tripled due to high fuel prices. Your support helps us ensure our kids have what they need to return to school in the safest manner possible. 

In light of the rising number of Cholera cases and the lack of clean water distributed regularly to all communities, our families need the support to have filtered water and oral rehydration solutions available in case symptoms arise. It's also important that our families are able to afford to go to a hospital with a Cholera treatment ward when they need it. Your financial support will make sure they don’t have to decide between getting care or putting food on the table for the day.

Our families have also asked for support to restart their businesses and get back to work. Some of our collection centers have had to shut down because of their locations being close to protest areas, and others have had their entire location burned down as a result of protests. We’re confident that the businesses that need to restart can do so quickly, as long as resources are available and they can stay open consistently. Your financial support helps them do that.