Dear Haiti Friends,
Below my signature please see an update on their progress in Haiti from the organization WORK, supporting dignified jobs in effective and sustainable recycling projects in Haiti.  Basically, they started in a small way trying to help the people who “mined” the northern city dump in Port-au-Prince trying to improve the safety of the working conditions and find them a profitable market for primarily plastics, especially bottles, and it’s grown enormously.  As you will see at the end, they are now “scaling up” to duplicate their success in several other countries as well.  However, the heart of their commitment will always be the relationship with their Haitian partners, and if you are in a Haiti partnership, you know how that feels!
There has been yet another attack in the Pont Sonde area of the Artibonite by the gang Gran Grif:  At least 70 killed, 30 wounded in Haiti gang attack, rights group says

At least 70 killed, 30 wounded in Haiti gang attack, rights group says

Death toll by the Defenseurs Plus rights group significantly exceeds ⁠official estimates of 16.
Gran Grif has been involved in this area for a long time, but as things improve slowly in Port-au-Prince, the fear is that under-resourced areas outside the capital such as this will be more and more under attack. This will also put more pressure on the people struggling to accommodate refugees in the upper Artibonite and Central Plateau, including the shelter currently under construction in Cange.  (Need less to say, your kind support of this effort is appreciated and encouraged so that construction may continue.)
Also in the news, after 6 years in hiding, Vundla Sikhumbuzu has been arrested in Haiti.  While this may be a step toward justice, it is also a very difficult time for the Episcopal Church in Haiti, as news articles always lead off with his position in the Episcopal Church, usually neglecting to mention that he was fired by the church after the attempted murder of his wife in 2018.  He avoided prosecution for that crime and continued to misrepresent himself as the church’s representative in order to have access to the port for what turned out to be his weapon and counterfeit money smuggling operations for the next couple of years.  Whenever news about him surfaces, churches and church members and clergy have received death threats and property has been vandalized, presumably by other gangs who were not being supplied by him, or by families of persons killed by his main gang clients, G-9.      Vundla Sikhumbuzo, Chief of Operations for the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, actively sought since 2019, was arrested on Thursday, March 26, 2026 by agents of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) – juno7ht.com – READ MORE
My thanks as always to Karen Wires of Haiti Advocacy Ministry for the above links. Karen is the best source of every possible news article about Haiti, including the good news:       Jacmel student first Haitian to win global public speaking competition. Abigaïl Alexandre, 21, stood out from 2,400 participants to claim the global title in France – haitiantimes.com – READ MORE
Recommendation:  For anyone involved in or considering or evaluating outreach projects and/or mission trips, especially with young people, I have just become aware of a book/workbook published by the Church Publishing, The New Outreach – Doing Good the Better Way:  An ABC Planning Guide, by Sandra S. Swan.  It is full of excellent observations and items for discussion to prevent from the outset “mission trips” and other kinds of outreach which reinforce the egos of the participants and diminish the input and capabilities of their intended recipients.  It’s also a great guide for getting youth (and adults!) to think about how they look at the world and their part in helping to make it a better place.  It’s always focused on relationship, and we know or have learned with every project we’ve undertaken that relationship is fundamental to real partnership and accompaniment.
Finally, I will be sending you shortly a copy of my Haiti Partnerships spreadsheet.  It is always woefully behind the times.  If you don’t find your partnership, or have other contact names to add (the more, the better), or if your partner priest has changed, or anything else that would help me get a little more up to date, could you please send me that information via email?  I would be very grateful.  Note that it is alphabetical by the town where your priest is located, and even that may have changed without my knowing it, so you may need to do some searching.  Spelling corrections are also welcome.
Thank you!
Yours,
Serena
 
Serena Evans Beeks
Canon Serena Evans Beeks, D.Min.
US Coordinator, Haiti Episcopal School Partnerships
National Association of Episcopal Schools
 
—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Kylin Rosnick <kylin@dowork.org>
Subject: WORK: an update on our families

Our families in Haiti are doing fine. For the last few months, the situation in our communities in Port-au-Prince have largely been calm. We were able to host our annual holiday celebration, students returned to school on time, and our parents with small businesses continue to thrive. Families who have graduated out of poverty for good have remained in good financial status, making steady income to cover essential needs and increasing their savings for the rainy day.

Over the last few weeks, gang violence returned to our community and nearby areas. Everyone is okay. All activities paused for a couple of days and have since resumed. Our team was on standby for support, but our families didn’t need it. They have built a level of resiliency, thanks to you, that allows them to stay safe at home for a few days when it’s necessary.

As Haiti works on an election this summer, we’ll remain available to support all families and to help them plan for rainy days. Thanks to your support, our local community leaders will take charge of this preparation.

We’re also so proud to share that as we prepare to graduate another cohort of families by June, we will begin to onboard new families in April. This is a big step forward for us and a signal to better and safer times in Haiti. This next group of families are majority collectors of recyclables. Together, we will work to improve working conditions and income through a variety of methods, while ensuring that their kids are in school and everyone has a safe home to live in.

As we set up the next phase of programming in Haiti, we have also steadily expanded our work in Taiwan, Ghana, Viet Nam, Thailand, Brazil, and Guatemala. Below is a brief recap of our work in each country:

Taiwan – we pilot tested a method to improve income and have expanded the program to the South. A case study is being drafted to be shared this year.

Ghana – our program launched in the fall with 8 aggregators covering about 500 collectors and over 200 tons of materials recovered each month. Our first set of impact data tells us that due to our program to improve income and productivity, collectors are able to send their kids to school, pay for health insurance, and take care of medical needs. This is a huge win!
Viet Nam – our collectors have requested support in health and safety trainings and access to health insurance. This month, the first round of trainings will begin.
Thailand – similar to Viet Nam, we are launching a set of 3-health and safety trainings with resources such as PPE next month, supporting worker well being to start.
Brazil and Guatemala – we are wrapping up our assessment, confirming partners, and finalizing programming to begin in May/June. We’ll also hire local Program Managers this month. If you know anyone, please email Benjamin@dowork.org.For our families,

Kylin Rosnick

Engagement Coordinator

WORK | www.dowork.org | @doworkorg

WORK accompanies families in Haiti and beyond out of poverty through good, dignified jobs.