Help Raise Money For A Sugar Cane Mill In Haiti
Hello!
I would like to thank you in advance for visiting this gofundme that I have setup on the behalf of loved ones back home who have found themselves in a horrible situation.
It’s a crying shame that the place has such a long run of bad luck, and the government can’t seem to get things in order and provide the proper resources to the people of Haiti.
For some of you who know me, you may already know that I was born in Haiti and came to America as an infant, and had not been back in decades.
In May of 2019, after 30+ years I returned to Haiti and fell in love with my homeland almost instantaneously!
The country is beautiful, despite the many natural disasters, and the impoverished neighborhoods riddled with violence and turmoil. The land is beautiful and the people are resilient.
The people are strong and their spirits can’t be broken despite the many hardships they’ve faced decade after decade. They continue to fight, and have never lost hope! They refuse to let their spirits break.
It reminds me of this quote from one of my favorite movies, The Dark Knight Rises…“There can be be no true despair with out hope!” And time and time again my people have shown that they have hope and strong faith and trust in God. They have shown that despair is truly defined by the absence of hope. Even in their true despair and desperation they’ve always remained hopeful.
During my trip to Haiti, I was able to visit a sugar cane farm owned by my cousin, which employed many of the Haitian locals. The farm was huge, on beautiful open land located in Ouest Department, Haiti. I was taken on a tour of the property and shown where the sugar cane was grown, cut, and than processed into liquid which can now be turned into sugar, juice, and or alcohol.
Sugar cane is now the 2nd most important cash crop after Coffee, and has had a long history with Haiti, since Columbus brought it over to the island on his second voyage. In the 18th Century, Haiti was the worlds leading sugar cane producer. However, over the years total sugar imports have dropped significantly with the closing of Haiti’s 4 sugar mills. And with every closing of a mill, comes workers who are now unemployed and cannot provide for their families.
Recently while speaking with my cousin, I was made aware that the 1 Ton Sugar Cane Juicer which is used to press the sugar cane out of the shredded stalks, no longer works, because the engine blew and the machine was ancient as well.
Many of the workers are now unemployed and work has halted on top of the country being in awry after the assignation of the president and this months tragic earthquake which has taken the lives of many. The people are scared and do not know how they are going to eat or provide for their families.
When I asked, “How can I help?”
I was told, “Unless you can replace this mill, you cant!”
So then I said, “well how much is the mill?”
And he said “it’s about $8,000!”
I felt my heart sink in my ass honestly….
I slept on it
I prayed on it
I prayed on it some more
I spoke with my friends and family who all said “setup a GoFundMe!” Do it!
…. I hate asking people outside of my family for monetary donations honestly! It feels as if I’m begging, however… this isn’t about me. It’s not about my pride. It’s not about what I’m comfortable doing. It’s about the question I asked, “How can I help?”….
And his response was clear as day… they need a new mill.
Now I am asking of you my friends, family, and strangers, for your help!
I truly believe I can raise this money, purchase, and ship this mill to Haiti with your help! With your generosity we can keep the sugar cane running and the workers employed. Agriculture plays an important role in the country’s economy, and is the way of life for many Haitians.
Please help me keep hope alive, and spread love to the people of Haiti! Anything big or small is greatly appreciated. The goal is to return to Haiti with this Mill and send you guys a positive and joyful update. 
