Current youth employment (15-24 yo) in Haiti is under 35%. About two-thirds of the population work in the informal economy and do not have formal jobs. Approximately 60% of the population live on $2 per day and the U.S. Agency for International Development recently reported about half the population is undernourished. The citizens of Haiti are provided
with no social safety net: no state-funded unemployment insurance, health care or food assistance programs.
It's hard to imagine the difficulties parents face day in and day out to support their family. To keep their children fed, to send them to school, to try to give them a better life.
These are the struggles that Jhimy Roodson Fluerantin faces every day. At just 32, Jhimy and his wife support 3 incredible children. Marie (12 yo) and Messaina (6 yo) both attend SOPUDEP while their youngest 4 year old boy James Rooderson (Rood for short) attends CESAH. Jhimy has always done the most to give everything he can to those in need, a trait he gets from his mother, the resilient Madame Fleurantin. Mdme Fleurantin has organized, staffed, and run free mobile medical clinics throughout Port au Prince for years. She has never taken payment in return and is the sole reason our organization, Los Altos High, UCLA, and so many others are able to set up clinics during their trips. And after all of the support and effort Jhimy and his family have given over the years, they are in need of our support now.
Jhimy works in construction, specializing in flooring. But as the 35% unemployment rate would imply: there simply aren't jobs available in Haiti. So for one father and son, trying desperately to support his family, there are few options. That is why Jhimy, like so many other Haitians, has chosen to make the sacrifice to leave his family and country to find work elsewhere. Guyana, with its low living costs, job opportunities, and accessible visas is the destination for many. Having already secured employment in Guyana and all of the proper paperwork, Jhimy needs our support to help him travel there.
It's hard to imagine the strength it takes to leave behind those you love, in order to give them a better life. With all of the sacrifices he, and his family, are making, we hope you will consider donating to support their future. Give this family the opportunity to support themselves and create out a better life for their children.
