On March 19, the world learned that coronavirus had arrived in Haiti when two residents were found to have COVID-19. As of today, April 8, there are 24 known cases and evidence of community transmission. From tragic experience, we know this is just the beginning so we need your assistance to put preventive measures into place.

CapraCare is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing sustainable community health programs for people living in the vicinity of Fonfrede, a rural community of 20,000 located on the outskirts of Les Cayes. Capracare was founded in April 2009 by a former resident and quickly developed into a network of community health workers that have grown to over 50 in number. They have done remarkable work that includes promoting health education in the schools, providing basic medical and mental health services, offering HIV support groups, and even sheltering the community as Hurricane Matthew passed over the town.

Now coronavirus poses a new threat. There’s little capacity for testing and treatment. Our only hope is prevention and we don’t have much time. In order to create the conditions that will shield the Fonfrede community from coronavirus, we need to ensure that they have the knowledge to protect themselves through social distancing, adequate food so they don’t need to travel away from their homes, and the resources to maintain hygiene.

To that end, we’re seeking funding for the purchase of the following:

• $10,000 for food: CapraCare can buy food consisting of rice, cooking oil, beans, spaghetti and sugar to feed 500 people for one week. This averages out to $20 per person per week.
• $625 for emergency hygiene kits: hygiene kits consisting of disinfectant materials such soap, bleach, hand sanitizers, and basic toiletries for men, women and children.
• $500 for two handwashing stations to be placed near the community’s water pumps

Together the Haiti-based community health workers and the US arm of the organization have developed a detailed action plan for the public health protections that are needed. The sources you help provide will literally be used within hours to implement the plan—we have the feet on the ground but we need financial support.

Thank you for considering our request. For more information about CapraCare, you can visit www.capracare.org. If you have questions, you can call me at 347-723-1405 or email me at jeanjpierrelouis@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Jean Pierre Louis
Founder, CEO & President
capracare, inc.