St Luke never closed their doors.

Throughout the Peyi Lok (Country Lockdown) of 3 months duration in 2019, St Luke Family Hospital and Clinics continued to function. Staff and medical supplies were transported via ambulance to ensure their safety day and night. We are so proud of our drivers who were so success in their daily routes – their driving of the highest skill, their negotiation skills were incredible at the barricades – truly - fearless everyday heroes. St Luke never closed their doors to the sick...so many lives were saved...so many stroke patients received rehabilitating therapy…

Many will ask why did the lock-down occur ? Unfortunately, in countries where democracy is very weak, where the population has a high level of illiteracy – the population seeks their own means of having their voices heard. 

Why is Haiti so fragile ? 

In almost every level, Haiti is fragile – 

Environmentally :deforestation and high mountains

Geographically : situated in a fault zone, not just a fault line and a regular route for Atlantic Hurricanes

Nutritionally : poor soils, few community irrigation programs, and long dry seasons have resulted in poor quality and quantity crops produced in-country over many years. 

Economically : high generational unemployment, low basic wages, limited exports, the high cost of and the dependence on imports. The brain-drain of the past few years has lead to a shortage of professionals and entrepreneurs

Medically : a nation prone to diabetes, strokes, malnutrition, anemia, medical care and medicines are limited and expensive, and high rates of TB. 

Educational : a high percentage of illiteracy, a limited access to Middle and High School and University which are expensive if you live on under U$ 2 per day. The brain-drain of the past few years has lead to a shortage of teachers in country schools. and a shortage of professionals. 

The unemployed and those with a limited education are easily manipulated – especially, when they are paid to cause disorder in areas outside which they reside. 

A re-occurring fuel crisis added the final fuel to the flames to create such civil unrest. There are so many more reasons, here are just a few in a complex and fragile situation. 

Throughout Peyi Lok, St Luke's Francisville Program functioned no matter how dangerous the situation on the roads. Many staff slept on-site to ensure that they were available to work each day. In the lines each morning, the women and their children were so thankful that it was open and functioning. They had walked the back-alleyways to safely arrive to purchase fresh eggs, bread, pasta, fish and chicken to feed their families and to sell to in their communities. Haiti's women are famous for being entrepreneurs,they are very brave- burning barricades and shooting did not stop them. Francisville was an oasis of life-saving supplies and life in the deserted streets of Port-au-Prince. The N.P.F.S. programs and so many more were beneficiaries of the amazing services at Francisville in this time. 

This year 2020, there are still many frustrations among Haitians, and disagreements with the gouverment in place.

Despite a complicated social, economic and security climate and concerns for the future of the country, less than five days after the death of more than fifteen children in the burning of an orphanage.

The February 23rd, 2020 saw many police officers demonstrate on the streets to demand the better working conditions and to express their rights to a union.The protests escalated due to clashes with those wanting to unionize and the Haitian Army. 

During two days,the main roads were blocked again and commercial activities paralyzed in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. The streets of the capital were deserted and barricades of all kinds erected on the main roads of the capital cut off from other cities in the country. Protesters also protested against Carnival - they felt that improving health, nutritional and educational services across the country is more important than a huge investment in Carnival festivities in the main cities. 

Haitian's have incredible resilience – they bounce back. The day after Peyi Lock was lifted, they were back on the streets, checking on friends and family, going to church – giving thanks to God, children playing...What other nation's population could just get on with life ? Do not forget that the media only portray the actions of a minimal percentage of the population – unfortunately, the actions of few make great photographic opportunities...

Please do not give up hope for the Haitian People – help us to continue to support them in their hours and days of greatest need. 

Please keep our dedicated staff in your prayers.