My name is H.S. I lived in a place, about an hour and a half from Cazale, with my wife, two daughters, one son, and my wife’s niece. I worked at a factory making flour for Haiti. Over time, with my job’s income and careful savings, I was able to build a house with three beautiful rooms for my family, pay for my children’s school, and take care of them. Life was stable.
One Friday night, while we were sleeping, bandits invaded our neighborhood. The sound of gunfire woke us up, and the children cried in fear, hiding under the bed. Everyone in the area panicked, fearing for their lives. The shooting continued throughout the night and into the next day. My wife, worried for our children’s safety, decided we needed to leave. On Sunday morning, she left with the children to a nearby Village. I chose to stay behind because I had worked so hard to build my life there, and I couldn’t imagine leaving it all behind.
But on Sunday night, I felt the bandits getting closer to my home. By Monday morning, I knew I had to leave. I grabbed a small basket, placed six avocados in it, and left, pretending to be a merchant selling in case the bandits stopped me. With only the clothes on my back, I walked to next village and reunited with my family. Friends in the area welcomed us, providing food, clothes, and a place to sleep.
A few months later, the bandits reached the village that we were now in. This time, I didn’t wait. We moved to the next village, where a friend rented us a house for six months. Before those six months were up, bandits attacked again, setting fires, destroying homes, and taking lives. Fear gripped everyone, forcing everyone to flee. We decided to move to the Cazale area.
When we arrived, a kind man let us stay temporarily in his hotel. While I was grateful for the shelter, I knew we couldn’t stay there forever. I had no job, no home, and no money. Providing food for my children became a daily challenge.
In the middle of our struggles, RHFH came to our aid, giving us food every month. I wrote to them, asking for help to build a shelter. My wife’s family offered a small piece of land, but we had no means to build. RHFH answered my request, giving us the money to build a simple home.
The relief and joy I felt were indescribable. Thanks to your support, we now have a home again. I am deeply grateful to those who contributed. Words cannot fully express my gratitude. I pray for blessings and protection for all of you and for RHFH, so they can continue to help others in Haiti despite the country’s struggles. Please keep my family in your prayers. I still dream of providing for my children, especially for their education, but the challenges in Haiti make it difficult. Thank you for everything.
