May Update from Fr. Frantzdy
During a May 20 conversation, Fr. Frantzdy shared an update on the situation in Duchity as well as news about his health. The key points are summarized below:
Health Concerns
Fr. Frantzdy continues to experience persistent back pain. Because of the pain, it is difficult for him to stand up straight. He needs to travel to Port-au-Prince for a medical scan, but travel to Port au Prince is dangerous. He estimates that the scan will cost $700 and travel could run as high as $500–$600.
Security Situation
When asked about the situation in Haiti, Fr. Frantzdy said it is hard to tell if it is better or worse. There are still gang-related kidnapping cases. Even though these problems are far from Duchity, the situation affects the whole country because of the lack of safe travel to and through Port au Prince. People live with the uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds and it is very stressful.
Education in Duchity
Final exams are being held in June. Seventeen students are graduating. If the parents can afford the cost, some of these students will go on to university. With the end of the school year, the lunch program for the students ends as there are not funds to continue it through the summer months.
Concerns About Abuse
Fr. Frantzdy spoke at length about his desire to provide abuse-prevention training for the young women of Duchity. He would like to include the young women from Duchity and also from the surrounding ‘chapel areas’. This would mean providing meals and a place to stay. This would cost approximately $30/person. Fr. Frantzdy estimates that 150 young women would attend.
Please continue to keep Fr. Frantzdy and the people of Duchity in your prayers. Fr. Frantzdy ended the conversation by saying, “Be assured of my humble prayers. You are angels to me.”
