So we have a request to ask of everyone, but as it is a complicated issue we'll explain as best we can.
As you all know, we are living in Turks and Caicos. One of the things we have really enjoyed about living here is the eye opening experience it has been getting to know the members of our congregation. We attend a small Branch of the LDS church here. The church has been on the island for about 3 years now. About half of the members of our branch are Turks and Caicos Islanders . The other half are illegal Haitian members. As many of you know, the situation in Haiti is bleak (read a bit about it here). 78% of the population lives under the poverty line (living on $2/day) and 54% in abject poverty (living on $1/day). Turks and Caicos is only 306.8 km / 190.6 miles from Haiti and as a result there are quite a few Haitians that have been living here for years. Our friend Charles is one of these.
So how do these Haitians live? Some of them are able to get a work visa and work unskilled labour jobs in construction or landscaping. The collapse of the economy hit hard here and the earthquake in Haiti drove more Haitians here. So we have really been trying to figure out how to help the people here. For most of the members, gaining some sort of education would be the only answer, but education is so expensive. IF they can get a job the pay is so low (all of the unskilled jobs in the newspaper are $5/hr or less), and they send any extra money back to support their family in Haiti, which leaves nothing to put towards any type of education for themselves. As an example of a typical situation, one of our friends had to find a new place to live because he couldn't afford the $15 a week rent for his 12' by 12' one room dirt floor no power no water place. Remember this is typical for a Hatian living here in TCI and this situation is far better than what they would have in Haiti.
All of this has left us feeling like our hands are tied to be able to help many of these people we care about. What sets Charles apart from the other illegal Haitians in the Branch is the fact that he came here with his mom as a young child and went through school here, graduating from High School a few years ago. Even though he came here on his mom's work permit and was here legally, he is no longer legally in the country and cannot work, go to school, or anything else that we as Canadians and Americans would take for granted. If Charles leaves the coutry to serve a mission or for any other reason, he will not be allowed back in and will be sent back to Haiti. But because Charles has been here for so long and did his primary and secondary school here and was listed on his mum's legal work permit, he is eligible for his Permanent Residency Certificate (PRC). Basically this PRC gives him all the opportunities that any legal citizen would enjoy.
Without his PRC, Charles has been unable to work. There is alot of competition for under the table jobs, and the government is clamping down on them really hard. Any employer found with illegal employees is fined $10,000 and the worker is arrested on the spot and later deported. Most Haitians risk this in order to support themselves and their families, many of whom are back in Haiti. Charles has found the odd short-term job, but doesn't risk it as his family and whole life has been here.
In order to get his PRC, Charles only needs a bit of paperwork (which he has done) and $5,000. The fee is due up front and is refunded in full if he is denied. He won't be denied because the qualifications are quite clear. Here is the link to the govt site that lists the criteria for PRC.
Charles is doing everything in his power to try to raise this money, but it is close to an impossible task. He and almost everyone he knows have just enough to survive. So we are trying to help him raise the money he needs for his PRC by asking our friends and family to provide Charles with a loan. By getting small or big loans from a number of people, we are hoping that we can accomplish our goal of helping Charles raise the funds. Kyle is assuming the responsibility of tracking the money that people lend and making sure that it all gets together and repaid in an orderly manner (he is an accountant after all). Part of Kyle's responsibilty is going to be making the payment to the government on Charles behalf.
Loans in any amount will be appreciated. Charles will work and repay the loans over the weeks and months after getting a job. We do need to say that there is a chance that the loan won't be repaid. I couldn't tell you how much of a chance. We don't see that happening, but need to put in the disclaimer. Please understand that if you don't get repaid, your funds have still been used to make an incredible difference in Charles and Charles' families lives. If you are concerned about the repayment, we will assume the loan and repay you when we can.
We had someone wondering if he can move to Canada as a refugee. As explained here, "A refugee is a person who fears persecution if they go back to their country of nationality". It goes on to say - "your claim will not be accepted if your fear is one of generalized violence faced by everyone in the country". All Haitians fear for their lives and their well being, so the refugee avenue is out for most if not all of them.
We hope to collect the money as soon as possible, so that Charles can move on with his life. The thought crossed our minds to wait until Christmas to ask for these loans, but we are hoping that we know enough people that have the spirit of Christmas all year long (hint hint). We hope that he will chose to go on a mission and then go to school, but really the true reason we are doing this is just so that he has the same opportunity and choices that we were all born with.
We made this little video and we apologize for how quiet it is, but we hope you can get a little glimpse into who Charles is!
Please email Kyle if you would like to get involved. You can reach him at kyledstone@gmail.com or zoeharker@hotmail.com. We'll provide you with the details you need to send funds.
Sending loads of love your way,
Kyle and Zoe
