The University of Fondwa 2004 (UNIF) “stays the course” in spite of rising costs and worsening conditions in Haiti.   Rising costs for food, water, diesel fuel, and gasoline are straining the already limited resources of the University of Fondwa 2004, but with renewed commitment the faculty, staff, and students are determined to turn Fr. Joseph Philippe’s vision of a “university of the mountains” into a reality.  Gasoline is selling for US $5 a gallon and transportation costs for people as well as goods have risen proportionately. Inexplicably the value of the US dollar has fallen sharply from 40 to 22.5 gourdes since January. This means that family remittances, as well as PIP development grants, just don’t go as far now as they did even a few months ago. In addition to the financial challenges facing UNIF, the continued political turmoil in Haiti is cause for concern.  It also highlights the importance of this university for the future of Haiti and especially its rural communities. Most Haitians still subsist on the produce of small agricultural holdings. Their existence is threatened by insufficient yields, high cost of inputs, low production and environmental degradation.  Young men and women trained in the principles of sustainable and integral agricultural development at the University of Fondwa 2004 can renew the hope for positive change in their communities. The knowledge they are acquiring and the commitment they have made to help poor communities help themselves are tools for transforming a life of misery into a life of hope and dignity. Partners in Progress (PIP) is committed to journeying with these future leaders of rural Haiti and to helping make their dream of a new Haiti into a hard-earned, concrete reality. Because of the immediacy of UNIF’s needs, PIP’s short-term focus during the second quarter of 2004 is to raise $8,000 to cover the cost of food, water, and fuel for the students and staff of the Universtiy of Fondwa 2004 through the end of July. Online contributions can be made via PayPal by going to the PIP donations page or by sending checks, made out to Partners in Progress with UNIF in the memo line, to Partners in Progress, 329 N. Fairfield Street, Ligonier, PA  15658. Return to Previous Page