May 13th, 2012

The cholera challenge continues…

Click here to read an editorial in New York Times about the cholera crisis in Haiti.

May 7th, 2012

Reflections from Margaret’s Recent Trip to Haiti

Dear Friends,

I have just returned from Port-au-Prince where I spent time with our Haitian partners, with children at the food program, with some of the students we sponsor, and at the after-school program.  It was such a gift to be there.  To see your donations in action, to envision the possibilities with our partners, to communicate your love and concern – this was a great joy and privilege.  With every plate of food I passed out and with every student I talked to, I thought of you, because without your support, these essential programs would not exist.

Between 800 – 1,000 girls and boys, as well as some older youth and adults, came to the food program each day I was there. Many are still living in tents. Some are sleeping wherever they find shelter. All were hungry and grateful for the nutritious meals they received. I could see it in their eyes. I felt it as they ate.

I was there as the rainy season began in Haiti.  The pouring rain makes everything a challenge. The cooking team continues to work out of a temporary, open-sided kitchen on the back of a cook’s home, and meals are served under a temporary structure that is not very different than a big tent.  Through the creativity and determination of our partners, the system is working.  As I helped pass out plates of food to the children, the wind blew and water leaked through the tarps and onto all of us.  Yet, I knew we were being held in God’s hands.

One of the purposes of this trip was to create a video to help with fund-raising for the programs and for our building project.  A wonderful volunteer video crew from San Francisco traveled with me.  We videotaped the programs and interviewed our Haitian partners, the children, and other community members.  There is excitement about the future of the programs, the new kitchen/cafeteria and school we plan to build, and the powerful difference all of this will make in the lives of the children.  I look forward to sharing the video and the building project plans with you this summer.

Now that I am back from Haiti, back in my home in Berkeley, I’m finding my “re-entry” transition unsettling.  I think about the children I met (including a two-week old baby), and the tent communities where many of them live.  I think about the rain and the cholera epidemic; about the absence of running water and electricity; about the social, political, and economic injustices that have created this situation.   And as these thoughts arise, I remind myself of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the years, little by little, and the fact that hundreds of children in one neighborhood of Port-au-Prince are able to count on one meal every weekday, thanks to your prayers, your encouragement, and your ongoing donations.

My visit has made me all the more inspired to make our vision for building on the land we have purchased a reality, so that there is a permanent and safe home for the programs, and so that more impoverished children will have the opportunity to go to school.

And so, as I reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed, I keep reminding myself of Fr. Gerry Jean-Juste’s words to me over ten years ago.  They give me strength and hope. “We have a Creole saying I want to teach you,” he said. “Piti piti na rive.  That means little by little we will arrive.  One step at a time, Margaret.  In Haiti, sometimes they are very, very small steps.  Sometimes we go backward.  But it’s important to keep taking steps, even though they are small.  Never lose hope. Never give up.  One day, maybe not during my lifetime, but one day we will get there.”

With gratitude,

Margaret Trost, Founder, What If? Foundation

Apr 26th, 2012

New photos from the programs in Haiti

Margaret just returned from Haiti. Click here to see some new photos of children participating in the food and education programs.

Apr 10th, 2012

A letter from Margaret, inspired by two children and our 2011 Annual Report

Friends of the What If? Foundation,

Two children inspired me to write to you today.  One lives in Haiti.  The other lives in California.  They have both spoken, simply and from the heart, about the joy of giving and receiving that flows through the What If? Foundation.

Those of you who read last month’s e-newsletter saw the words of 10-year old Jean Claude, who shared his gratitude for the food program supported by your donations:

“I don’t know what I would do without the food program. I love everything that happens there, especially the moment they hand out the plates of food, because then I can see all the joy in the children.”

Gabby, a 4th grader in California who heard about the What If? Foundation’s work earlier this year, recently sent the Foundation a check along with these words:

“I wanted to let you know we made $71.57!  We made all that money with a lemonade stand and some sweet treats at my school.  It was really fun and a great experience for me.  When I knew we had that much money raised, I felt so joyful!”

The words of both these children fill me with deep appreciation for each of you, our Haitian partners, and all the little steps we have taken together to reach out to those in need.  For 12 years, the What If? Foundation has provided an effective and trustworthy link between your generosity and impoverished children in Haiti.  Every dollar you’ve sent has helped create “joy in the children” through meals served and educational opportunities given.

Today, we invite you to help us continue this flow of joyful giving and receiving.  As you know, every donation, regardless of size, helps us to reach out to girls and boys for whom each meal and each school scholarship is a little miracle.

We also invite you to click here to read our 2011 Annual Report, which highlights the programs you’ve helped us fund, the lives you’ve helped us touch, and the difference your support made in 2011.  And please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested in our work.

Thank you for all of your love and encouragement, for your prayers, and for being a part of the What If? Foundation family. Piti piti na rive!  Little by little we will arrive.

With gratitude,

Margaret                                                                                                
Founder, What If? Foundation

We welcome you to join our Monthly Giving Circle.
Those who make monthly gifts to What If help provide a reliable, steady
stream of support that is critical to sustaining the food and education
programs.  Click here to learn more.

Mar 30th, 2012

Caitlin and Pamela, just back from Haiti

We just returned from a wonderfully productive trip to Haiti. It was a joy to spend time with children at the food and education programs. It was also a gift to be with our partners, and to watch them do what they do, with such grace, love and respect, to make those programs happen.

It’s hard to convey what it’s like to watch hundreds of hungry children sitting shoulder-to-little shoulder under a big tent, eagerly waiting for the cooking team to serve them plates of food. Or to describe the relish with which some of them devour their meals. Or the care with which some of the children put a portion of their food into a plastic bag or container to take home to share with others.

Last Sunday, we met with students that are What If scholarship recipients, as well as some children who attend the after school program and a number of parents. It was wonderful to be with them all, and to hear students and parents express such heartfelt appreciation for the education programs. They asked us to send a special message of thanksgiving to you, our donors, for all you do to support them. On behalf of all of them, we say to you: “mesi anpil“.

Each night, as we listened to torrential rains, we couldn’t help but think of all those who are still living outside under tents and tarps in Haiti, many of them children without enough food, and without access to educational opportunities. At the same time, we so felt grateful for the incredible gifts that our Haitian partners are able to offer, each day, as a result of your generosity.

With gratitude and hope,

Caitlin & Pamela