Kindred Journey Haiti Charity

11/15/2024

Recent news reports coming out of Haiti continue to worsen. US airlines have suspended flights in and out of Port-au-Prince, as planes were being shot at by gangs. On Sunday, Haiti's transitional council fired the interim prime minister and named a new interim prime minister, setting off new rounds of street violence, causing many of the capital's residents to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. The UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police are having limited impact. Even local Haitians are stating that they have never seen things this bad in their lifetimes.

While the violence appears to be somewhat less in areas outside of Port-au-Prince, life remains difficult at best. There is no doubt that Brother Franklin and the Little Brothers and Sisters of the incarnation need all of the support we can offer at this time.

Thank you for your continued prayers and generosity.

02/29/2024

Following our annual Board Meeting earlier this month, Kindred Journey transferred funds to Brother Francklin in Haiti. Here is the response received from our contact in Florida:

"Telephone connections with Br. Francklin are less reliable now, but I was able to let him know about the transfer. He was oh so very grateful to behold Divine Providence at work. The following week, he called again to tell me that he was able to verify receipt of the wire transfer.

The Little Brothers/Little Sisters had just received a large group of families who had been forced to flee their homes with what little possessions they had when their area was overwhelmed by violent gang activity. Families were thrown out into the streets and obliged to run for their lives. In addition to the adults, there were over 50 school-aged children who needed to be welcomed into their appropriate grade levels and outfitted for school and meals... all arriving unannounced and unexpected on the fraternity's doorstep. This, is in addition to the already constant financial strain of rampant inflation and violence which impedes any normalization of life in Haiti.

The Little Brothers and Sisters are stretched beyond their limits, yet they continue to reach out and help all who come needing assistance. So many young and educated Haitians are fleeing the country in search of safety and a life elsewhere. It is an impossible situation.

The funds which you sent were desperately needed. I convey to you the deep gratitude of the Incarnation communities and the love and prayers of your brothers and sisters in Haiti. They are so very grateful that the work begun by Monseigneur Gaus carries on in the faithful efforts of Kindred Journey.

May God bless each of you and all who contribute, to the work in Haiti, through you."

Anyone looking for a charity in Haiti can rest assured that funds collected through Kindred Journey will be wisely spent. Just go to www.kindredjourney.org for info or to donate directly online.

12/27/2023

More sad news from Haiti - a fishing boat was stolen from the Chapel and Retreat Center at Saintard. Here is a recent note from Brother Franklin:

Communities of the Incarnation
Thu 21 Dec at 15:26
Dear Friends,
As Christmas approaches, I hope this letter will find you in good health and peace. I write this email with a weight in my heart and deep concern. It is difficult for me to put into words what the Haitian people are going through right now, but I feel the need to share with you the painful events that have recently, once again, shaken the Fraternity of St. Ard.
A few days ago, this Fraternity was the victim of an intrusion by armed men during the night,
yesterday evening we were visited again and this time the thieves took something very
precious to us, a fishing boat. You can imagine the pain and sorrow I feel right now. It's not just the material loss that affects me, but it's also the feeling of insecurity that sets in, and the constant fear that it could happen again. I share these sentiments with you to raise awareness of the reality of crime that can affect anyone in Haiti. It is a stark reminder that life can sometimes confront us with unexpected challenges.

During this difficult time, your thoughts and support are more precious than ever. I deeply appreciate our friendship and I know you will understand the complexity of the situation at this
time.

This Christmas, I hope that we can find the strength and ability to overcome this ordeal together.

With gratitude and friendship,
Francklin Armand

12/08/2023

The latest news out of Haiti is quite troubling to say the least. Following is an email received from Brother Francklin's assistant, Sister Armelle:

Haiti 12/03/2023

From: Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Incarnation,
On behalf of Brother Francklin and Little Sister Emmanuelle,

We come to thank you for this chain of prayer and communion that you form for us in these difficult days that we are going through in Haiti, but even more so on this day of December 1 during which we hope you all had a great feast of St. Charles.

We want to share with you two events that have just happened for us this week. Last Tuesday we were hit by a first test. Indeed, as we are used to doing as a precaution, our two drivers go together to the bank-- but this time, they were followed and attacked on the way back. Guns were pointed at them, but they did not resist the bandits' demand, and they are alive—thanks to the Good Lord who is ever present. Although they (the drivers) remain very scared, little by little they will find peace.

The second ordeal took place in Saintard on the night of December 1st to 2nd, between 12:30am and 2:30am at night. Armed bandits arrived and broke down doors, gaining access to the rooms of the three women employed at the fraternity. Looking, of course for Francklin and the two Little Sisters, Carmène and Rénise, the guys busied themselves by asking if they had weapons, asking a thousand and one questions while making the women walk about in the yard. According to the Little Sisters who were listening to the women, they responded with great prudence and wisdom. The two Little Sisters were not seen or touched by the bandits, but followed the proceedings in fear of the worst, and that they might of course be discovered... (their rooms are on the upper floor of the building at the back).

For three days, the Christian community of Saintard had prepared for the feast of St. Charles and on December 1 a large crowd gathered for the prayer of adoration at the shrine of St. Charles. The Little Sisters testify to the graces received, to the power of prayer, to the presence of the Lord and of Saint Charles for the Community, for them and the three women, because the bandits did not seek to harm them further nor to fire weapons at them. One of them (bandits) even said to one of them (women), 'Don't be afraid, we won't do anything to you.' Which is not so easy to believe since it is well known that so many other people suffer or have suffered such horrors!...

Last night (12/2/23), the Little Sisters, together with the employees, left Saintard and were able to return to the Fraternity in Port-au-Prince. Will these men (bandits) come back again to the Fraternity…we fear it…

We invite you to continue your prayers united with ours and for all those, near and far from us, who are undergoing trials of all kinds. Haiti mourns its many innocent dead, and no one knows the future because these days the roads in the North and South are closed by gangs.

To each and every one of you our fraternal friendship and our thanks.

Little Sister Armelle

05/04/2023

Update from our contact with Brother Francklin received yesterday: Dear families, dear friends,

With this letter, I speak on behalf of Brother Francklin, the Little Brothers and the Little Sisters of the Incarnation by coming to thank you wholeheartedly for your message of fraternal support, of prayer on our behalf and that of the entire spiritual family.
Yes, we are living in difficult times like many people in the world. Violence, kidnappings, war, poverty accentuated day after day lead to despair because we do not see the end!
Here, the exits of the city by the roads leading to the provinces are almost all closed by armed bandits. Fortunately, we are able to communicate by telephone, although with difficulty some days, but the phone remains our way of interacting with each other because travel is impossible and dangerous. One exception--the sea, which is currently guarded by the Army, and allows the boat of the fraternity of Saintard to go out to make the essential purchases and thereby enables the fraternity to continue to operate and eat. We hope that this can continue but there is always the fear of being attacked!
Francklin, Sisters Carmène and Renise are together, accompanied by employees and, at the moment, two priests of the area who had to flee their parish urgently like the population.
We know that the gangs are advancing and are in their area, which is of great concern to all of us because they are besieged in this situation.
For two weeks, the population has been joining forces with the police to arrest the bandits who are said to be dispersing and hiding-- but the population is mobilized, and anger prevails!...
Despite the difficulties of all kinds encountered, we continue to 'function' where we are. In Saintard, Pandiassou and Petite Place Cazeau the sale of drinking water continues either by gallon or by sachets when possible. In Saintard, every day about thirty of the more needy children receive a meal thanks to the donations received, which also allows some younger children to go to class.
We thank you very much for your communion in prayer asking for peace. Too many family tragedies have happened so far and we look forward to peace returning to this beloved Haiti.

Dear families and friends, we are with you.

04/25/2023

We just received the following message from our main contact with Br. Francklin - it is somewhat painful to read, but this is the reality of the situation in Haiti at the moment. We will post any updates as they become available, but as one can imagine, direct communications with Haiti are difficult at the moment.

"I send you perhaps a final message from Francklin...
PRAY for Haiti and for her people.
Gangs of men intent on pillaging the country are systematically working their way in the direction of Saintard.
He has made a conscious decision to STAY in solidarity with the local people. He will stay united in the spirit of Br. Charles de Foucauld with the people to whom the Lord has sent him...even though it may cost him his life. He is asking the 2 Little Sisters who have been there with him maintaining the running of the Spirituality Center, to evacuate while they still can. He sends his heartfelt thanks to each of you for your friendship and support throughout the years...thanks...thanks...and many thanks. May God bless you.
United in prayer..."

04/10/2023

Brother Francklin continues to explore new avenues to be able to provide basic goods and services to local communities - following is an English translation of a recent communication from him:

"In the locality of Saintard, in the commune of Arcahaie, the shortage of basic necessities and widely sought after products such as fuel is felt like many other localities in the capital of Haiti and its
surrounding areas in the face of the phenomenon of gang domination that the country is currently experiencing. The black market is becoming the norm because of the risks that traders run to get products here. Thus, the prices of products already rarely available are shockingly high.

Faced with this situation, Brother Francklin Armand, founder of the religious communities of the Little Brothers and Sisters of the Incarnation (PFI/PSI) of the Roman Catholic Church, and Captain Florand Cadet of the Salvation Army decided to unite to help the population. They bring fuel from Petit-Goâve and flour from Carrefour by sea using boats from the PFI/PSI community. Thus, not only will these two products be available on the local market of Saintard, they will be at a more affordable price than that of the black market. Their efforts are aimed at providing relief from the shortage. This initiative they have taken together demonstrates how people of different religions can work together to help their communities. They also proved that compassion and solidarity are universal values that can transcend religious and cultural differences. They hope their work will inspire others to unite for food, creating a groundswell of support and solidarity across the region. Because, even in the most difficult moments, it is possible to find solutions when we work together. Their example of cooperation can serve as a model for communities
around the world."

03/04/2023

Please check out our new and improved website - www.kindredjourney.org - now works well with phone or tablet viewing, too! A big "thank you" to KJ Boardmember Annalisa McCann for pulling the new site together! And, while there, consider the opportunity to make a donation to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Providing food and water for Haitian children and families

10/27/2022

Thanks to the generous donations from our donors, Kindred Journey recently forwarded a wire transfer to Brother Francklin. One of our primary contacts with Francklin and his organization provided this insight: "It has come at a time when the people of Haiti are living through the worst crisis of their existence.
Francklin wants to open something similar to a soup kitchen in the vicinity of the retreat center at Saintard. The transportation of food stuffs from agricultural areas amongst themselves or to and from the cities has been cut off by gang violence and highjacking on the roads. Francklin has set up a means of using the fishing boats (belonging to a program centered on Saintard) to transport food and gasoline (to run the generators for the bakery and water purification aparatus) so that he can facilitate the access to food and water in the area...transporting all of it by sea and avoiding the roads entirely. Your gift is much needed and greatly appreciated."

Again, thank you so much for your continued support, and please remember our Hatian friends in your prayers.

04/05/2022

Funds from Kindred Journey are helping to support improvements in equipment to create and train fishing entrepreneurs. Bigger, more stable boats allow fishermen to work further from shore where they can catch more fish and bigger fish.

02/13/2022

Life is unfortunately not getting any easier for our Haitian friends.

With 2.5 million in need living in areas under armed control, aid groups have to find ways to work with the gangs despite the escalating violence.