Summer 2023 Newsletter

Repaired nearly 3000 pumps in 15 years

Three months ago in the Spring Newsletter I used a quote from Isaiah 43 concerning ourselves with being faced with fire of oppression and having to go through deep waters in our lives. Well, while looking for scripture for the summer letter, what seemed most appropriate, Isaiah again. Written over 2700 years ago he still is giving us advice which is so comforting, timely and reassuring. In his 41st chapter, 10th verse he tells us: “Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am you God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. Well, three months have gone by and the situation in the streets is no better, if not worsen.

Since the first of the year the fellows have not been able to go to work for a total of 23 days and I am sure some of those trips were questionable. Along with this we have had to “make do” with what we had in inventory. They would go to the used pipe rack and cut out the bad parts and thread the ends and put two pipes together to make one “new” one. Another drilling organization, Water for Life, allows us to order with them as we could not afford a complete load of pipe from India on our own.

Two containers arrived from India with the pipe and pumps two months ago and customs has yet to release them. Their excuse is, wrong paper work, shortage of men, gang violence, lost paper work and last week they made them unload both containers there on the dock, looking for contraband.

A fan set up to blow air to the digger

To add to all of that we are being charged $100 a day because our container as been on the dock too long as we have not picked it up. “Oh, Isaiah where are you?” Give us strength to endure the frustration and maddening attitude to endure this situation. Strictly a shakedown and one know customs will be at a premium.

Back to the 23 days of not being safe to be on the road, the gangs are and were fighting for territory and they seem to just come and go for different periods of time. When several gangs come into our town, people just go to their homes, lock the doors and stay for several days.

One such trip, 30 homes were burned for no reason at all. But during all of this dangerous environment , they were able to repair 76 pumps, cleaned 4 wells, dig one new well and set the pump and deliver 56 loads of water to approximately 56,000 people. One reason for the many loads of water is that this is one thing they could do if the roads were blocked. Instead of just staying home they delivered water to local neighborhoods inside of the town.

As you remember we had a truck all loaded and ready to hopefully ship by August but trucks were stopped from coming in, only containers are being allowed, so we are in the process of unloading the truck and transferring the supplies into the container.

One more new pump being installed

Handing out supplies to hurricane victims

Since 2008 we have driven 7 trucks to Florida, loaded them on the ship, the ship takes it to Haiti, we go to customs, pay the duty fee and drive to our compound. Now we have to rent a semi trailer to haul the container to Miami, which will then transfer it to a ship, sail to Haiti, unload with a crane to another semi trailer and haul to our compound. Now here is the rub. The nearest crane on a dock I trust is 10 hours of driving on curvy, mountainous road that has many choice places for a high jacking. We do not dare send it now and do not even have a date, as the political and military situation will have to be improved very much before shipping.

I want to thank you if you are reading this letter. That means you did not just trash it without even opening it. I am sure like most people I receive daily 4-8 letters from good charitable causes asking for donations. So thank you for taking the time to open and read Water4Haiti’s Story every 3 months.

As a closing: Thank you again for your support this year and maybe even the past 15 years. 2nd Corinthians 9:7 “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Sincerely,
Chuck and the W4H Board