Determination and Commitment in Action
Amidst heartbreaking destruction and frustration, there were also examples of selfless heroes risking their lives to help others during the current prolonged unrest… This is the beauty, the strength, the incredible sense of community that is in Haitians.
Photo by GBP Creative. © 2019 Shot In The Dark Media.
2018 came to a close with a special delivery of supplies arriving by sailboat. Wonderful supporters brought supplies to docks along the eastern coast as sailboat Tandemeer loaded up at ports and headed southward to Haiti. Boxes of backpacks (thank you Move to Matter), cases of super nutritional powder (thank you UBSuper), medical supplies, and even bicycles arrived at the Les Cayes dock for our staff to load up. Amazing!
In December, we were also able to begin progress on our land. The well has been drilled by partners, Water for Life, on Little Footprints, Big Steps new property. When completed, this critical first step will serve, not only the 3 Phases of the LFBS Building Project, but also provide water to the community in the area. Many thanks to Windsor-St Clair Rotary Club for providing support for the well construction and set-up. The development of this property will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of LFBS operations ensure a more sustainable and permanent presence.
Phase 1
Our safe-drinking well has been drilled on the LFBS Land Development project
Photo by GBP Creative. © 2019 Shot In The Dark Media.
In early January, the photographer, Gary Bremner, that was part of the Shot in the Dark Productions crew filming in Haiti in November, shared a very special blog with some of the wonderful photos of LFBS staff and their families, the families we work with, ‘behind the film scenes’ photos, and a very personal account of the time with Little Footprints Big Steps. Please enjoy some of GBP Creative’s striking and memorable capture of that time.
After years of advocacy, child protection actors in Southern Haiti finally celebrated the inauguration of a Tribunal for Children in Les Cayes (the primary city of the south, where LFBS centre of operations is located). Three judges were appointed the responsibility of dealing with the cases of minors. This is a huge step which will hopefully allow children in conflict with the law to receive a special attention and have their cases judged in a more timely manner.
When emergency life-saving medical care is needed, LFBS is able to provide immediate assistance. We were able to arrange air evacuation to a main hospital in Port au Prince for a severely ill infant, and support medical fees and care once the child arrived in Port au Prince.
As you likely know, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. With the majority of the people already living in extreme poverty – additional crippling inflation (Haitian currency lost 40% of its value), astronomical fuel and food prices, further disregard for human rights, fragile political processes erupted into prolonged demonstrations and rioting in early February. Imagine if you made $2/day to look after all of your family’s needs, and it cost $12 to purchase just a gallon of cooking oil…
Morgan Wienberg, co-founder and Head of Haiti Operations, remained steadfast in Haiti, leading her staff, planning for the future and providing stability and hope for the children and families that LFBS works with. Standing strong with determination and commitment sent a tremendously strong message to all and allowed us to be immediately impactful and responsive once it was safe to do so.
40%
Drop in value of Haitian currency
$2 / day
Common daily earnings for a Haitian family
$12 / gallon
Cost for cooking oil, accounting for recent inflation
Amidst heartbreaking destruction and frustration, there were also examples of selfless heroes risking their lives to help others during the current prolonged unrest: Doctors going to work while everyone else remains on lockdown in their homes. A staff member helping to evacuate his colleague’s children to a safer, more rural location despite roadblocks, burning tires, angry protesters and police firing shots and gas. An IBESR (Haiti Social Services) agent walking by foot to check on youth in the hospital who had been shot, since it was too dangerous to get to the hospital by vehicle. This is the beauty, the strength, the incredible sense of community that is in Haitians.
The first time there was a pause in the unrest and lockdown was lifted, LFBS was once again working none stop – stocking up the Safehouses with supplies, both for use in the Safehouses and for outreach to families and youth in emergency situations. The children currently living in the Safehouses helped staff distribute food and hygiene kits to all of the parents whose children are hospitalized in the pediatric wards of the general hospital. We were able to provide kits to families in vulnerable parts of town as well. In purchasing supplies to prepare these kits and stock up the Safehouses, we were also supporting vendors who hadn’t been able to generate an income during the lockdown and were eager to sell.
One week later, the medical students we support in their University studies in Port au Prince, are back in school. LFBS staff are back at work. A family planning session has taken place. Staff and youth have continued assembling food/hygiene kits to distribute to vulnerable in the hospital and to outreach families. Critical patients in hospital have been provided with funds for life-saving medical care. Our Transitional Safehouses have been restocked. And, the bridge construction onto our property, Phase I, has begun. It is incredible to see our vision of becoming more sustainable and having our own structures becoming a reality.
In the News
CBC NATIONAL INTERVIEWS LFBS
As violent protests break in Haiti and tourists flee home, one Canadian chose to stay.
Thank you so much for your continued interest, love and support. YOU make the difference. Your contributions continue to strengthen and change lives and futures. When considering donating, Little Footprints, Big Steps does the work to provide sustainable, empowering impacts. We show you that, in our Annual Reports and regular postings. It is real impact on individuals and families – now and into the future.