PIP Executive Director, Rich Gosser reports on recent Haiti visit Dear friends, I returned recently from another trip to Haiti with my wife, Daneen, and several others who traveled to Haiti to stand in solidarity with our many friends there.  Joining us was Nick Wilson, a young man who recently graduated from St. Vincent College (where I’ve taught mathematics since 1975).  Nick has been to Haiti four times now and because of his encounter with the people of Haiti he has decided to study public policy and international development.  His reflections appear below in the Dispatches column. Also joining us were Jim Solomon and Larry Stilwell, both of St. Barbara’s parish in Harrison City, PA.  Their parish is twinned with St. John the Baptist parish in Montrouis and Jim and Larry spent a week visiting there with the pastor, Fr. Antoine Charles. All of us were eager to see first-hand what the situation in Haiti was following the crisis that erupted in February and March.  On the surface there was little evidence that the country had gone through yet another crisis. The airport ran smoothly under the watchful eyes of uniformed police officers.  People were going about their day-to-day business and traffic flowed in Port au Prince in its own unique way that amazes first-time visitors and still, at times, confounds even long-term residents. Under the surface there were many signs that the country was still struggling to transcend yet another political and economic crisis.  From the comfortable veranda of Hospice St. Joseph in Port au Prince we watched as Chinook helicopters buzzed overhead during the day and shone powerful search lights into poor neighborhoods near the bay at night.  Conversations with our friends revealed that supporters of former president Arisitide were still living in fear in many of those neighborhoods and that in parts of the country it was impossible to know who was in control. Everyone agreed that, impossible as it seems, the country is worse off economically now than it was a year ago.  Gasoline is selling for about US $3.50 a gallon.  The price of rice has doubled in the past year and Haiti has recently been ranked as the third most hungry country in the world! On a visit to City Soley we had a chance encounter with several young US marines who were overseeing the dredging of one of the slum’s infamous canals that serve as both garbage dump and open sewer for all kinds of human and animal waste.  We were the first non-Haitians outside of their own unit whom they had encountered in the two months they had been in Haiti. In spite of the powerful excavating equipment and the 15 trucks working round-robin every day for a month, the work on the canal was proceeding slowly. I found it to be an apt symbol of just how enormous the job of helping Haitians help themselves proves to be and how important it is to keep in mind the long-range view. In spite of Haiti’s proud history and many accomplishments, there are no “quick fixes” to the problems resulting from generations of slavery, two hundred years of alternating dictatorship and military rule, and repeated interference from outside forces. In Port au Prince we attended mass at St. Louis de Montfort parish where Fr. Nicolas Gerard is pastor. Fr. Nicolas took us to see the Centre Charles de Foucauld Vocational School made possible in part by a grant from Rich in Mercy, the faith-based division of Partners in Progress.  We also made a Rich in Mercy grant of over $1100 to Sr. Eileen Davey for her pre-school “head start” program made possible through the Rich in Mercy “Skip a Lunch, Save a Child Program” and the generous gift of Calvary United Methodist Church in Ligonier, PA. It was most refreshing to visit in Fondwa! In spite of greater challenges than ever, the community of Fondwa continues to evolve an alternative model for development and, consequently, is a sign of HOPE in this troubled land.  The hospitality at the Visitors’ Center was outstanding and we all enjoyed both the clean and cheery rooms and the better-than-ever food all prepared under the supervision of Sr. Carmelle and her staff! Progress on the orphanage (Fatima House) continues and the second phase of construction is almost completed. Jamalyn and David, long-term volunteers in Fondwa, will supervise the painting of the new building before Fall.  The new construction has more than doubled the space available at Fatima House and is wired for electricity when that becomes available in the future.  A third phase of construction is planned that will add living space for staff and a small chapel. Other construction in evidence includes two rooms of the rectory behind the St. Antoine Church that provides living space for a resident priest as well as buildings related to the University of Fondwa 2004.   Work continues on the student dormitory adjacent to the visitors’ center.  The foundation contains two 4000 gallon cisterns that will hold rain water and spring water.  The laboratory building, on the campus of the St. Antoine School, is under roof and awaits both furnishings and equipment. The Visitors’ Center in Fondwa was the location of the bi-annual University of Fondwa 2004 board of directors meetings in June.  The meetings gave occasion to celebrate the achievements of the past year (in spite of enormous obstacles) and to plan for the future. Participants came away with a renewed sense of commitment to providing this unique opportunity to the daughters and sons of peasants to become agents of change in their own rural communities and, consequently, in their country. Recruitment has begun for the next academic year with the goal of finding a minimum of 20 students who have full financial sponsorships.  A special effort is being made to find candidates for the faculty of veterinary medicine. The full cost for each UNIF student is US $4400 a year.  We invite individuals and groups to underwrite all or part of this need for either new students or for some of the current students who do not have full sponsorship.  If you want to learn more about sponsoring a university student, you may contact Leigh Carter at UNIFusa@aol.com or Rich Gosser at rgosser@hisurfer.net .  After meeting the current class of UNIF students, I am convinced more than ever of the value of this effort to provide both education and formation to young men and women who will return to their rural communities to become agents of change and alternative development. The future is uncertain for Haiti, just as it is for each of us. Partners in Progress is committed to walking in solidarity with the people of Haiti and especially the Association of Peasants of Fondwa.  We are thankful for all of you who have chosen to “partner” with us and we invite your continued prayers and generous support so that together we can make the world we share a better place for all. Sincerely, Rich Gosser (Acting) Executive Director