Haiti - Myths, Mysteries and Bitter Poverty
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, has one of the highest rates of illiteracy, and has astronomically high child mortality and AIDs infection rates. It is also one of the world's most corrupt countries.

Since Haiti gained independence from France in 1804 the country has been through many brutally crushed uprisings, as well as two bloody dictators over a thirty year period: first "Papa Doc" Duvalier followed by his Son "Baby Doc". Great hopes where pinned on Jean Bertrand Aristide, who was the only democratically elected president in Haitian history, until he was ousted in the February 2004 rebellion.

Even though Haiti only has an area of 12'000 square kilometers (about as big as Belgium), its refugee situation, its bloody uprisings and the unimaginable poverty make it a constant theme in the international media. The population of around 9.7 million - and a further four million who left Haiti as asylum seekers and now live in other countries - suffer beneath an extremely unstable political environment. In this situation it is almost impossible for businesses to stay afloat, and their difficulties are compounded by the many hurricanes and tropical storms that regularly occur.

Haiti is on the other hand a country with a rich history, magnificent landscapes, idyllic beaches and a fascinating creolian culture. Haiti was the second independent state in the new world, after the United States, and was the first ever independent black state worldwide. Up until this day Haitians are strongly influenced by their African roots, and dedicated to maintaining the traditional voodoo-religion, which is deeply ingrained into every strata of society and is practiced daily. It is in this rich history and natural beauty that the Haitians biggest chance lies.

At present there are a few signs of hope. The deployment of 10'000 U.N. peacekeeping troops has calmed the previously volatile situation. Especially the dreaded kidnappings have been subdued. However the situation still remains dire for the poorest of the poor: the thousands of Haitian orphans.


Black Rain Group Foundation of Zurich
"Black Rain Group Foundation " was founded in August 2009. The name symbolises the tears shed through hunger and hopelessness by the people of Haiti. The idea was formed during a holiday trip by the founder members of Black Rain to the Dominican Republic in early 2009. They could no longer ignore the dire situation just a few kilometres from their holiday resort, so, despite all warnings, they travelled to Haiti to see it with their own eyes.
What they saw there was both disturbing and surprising. They encountered poverty on a massive scale, as well as the warmth and helpfulness of the local people. At no point did they feel that they were in any danger. However, with each passing day, the conviction grew that they should try to help in any way possible. Ludger Kortmann's Orphanage project in Cape Haitian is a great example of how so much is possible with just a little effort and a small investment of funds.


The lowest echelon of society: the Orphans
For a little less than three Euros a day an Orphanage can provide food, schooling, clothing, medical care and professional carers for its children. One such Orphanage "Timoun an Ayiti - Children's Home in Haiti" is financed by psychologist Ludger Kortmann from Oldenburg, and was established nine years ago. The house is situated in a relatively safe area of Cape Haitian, the second biggest city in the country, and has its own well with clean water, two toilets and two showers. Unannounced inspections take place weekly with a visit from a local representative of "German world Famine Relief" (DWHH).


Something must be done. Now
As a first step more orphanages where built modelled on "Timoun an Ayiti -Children's home in Haiti" under strict regulations, with proper facilities and direct financial support. At the same time a policy of - help to help themselves - was promoted. The quickest and easiest way to achieve this is to give out vegetable and fruit seeds. Due to Haiti's climate crops are able to grow very quickly - and whole families can therefore keep starvation at bay. "Black Rain" also provides urgently needed emergency aid. On one hand, through allocation of back-up funds to starving families, and on the other hand the foundation provides new kinds of self-produced learning aids, to schools and to the illiterate.


And this is how it works
Direct financial support :
Aid is directly and unbureaucratically contributed. Cash is given to families for food, clothing and schooling for the children. Regular money transfers are made to selected orphanages to ensure rent, schooling and other basics are provided for in the long-term. In addition to this, selected projects like the building of new children's homes, house building and support to realise new private business ideas, are allocated a (maximum of ten thousand US dollar) contribution. The progress of such projects is monitored, and all expenditure must be accounted for.

Support through relief supplies
The founder members of “Black Rain Group Foundation Zürich” travel regularly to Haiti and monitor the aid projects there. While there they buy food, medicines, and other essential goods like school materials and seeds. These relief supplies are then distributed directly to those most in need.

Tourism as a source of income
Despite the miserable situation there, Haiti is a popular holiday destination. The citadel Laferriére, just thirty kilometers south of the Cape Haitian, is on the Unesco World Heritage list, and off the north coast lies the legendary pirate island, Tortuga, which was given a new lease of life by the film "pirates of the Caribbean". The Royal Caribbean US cruise ship anchors in a private harbor off Labedee. Most of the passengers are wealthy retirees, so to insure passenger safety, the cruise ship organizes its own trips to the mainland. Younger tourists often venture further off the beaten track: The guide-book, Lonely Planet, recommends its global readership that the time to experience Haiti is right now. To this day, there has not been any tourist involvement in any negative incidents.

However, the people hardly profit from this. Aside from a few guesthouses the locals have little to offer the tourists. This is where "Black Rain" steps in. They provide the locals with free souvenirs, which they can then sell to the tourists: books, stickers, posters, t-shirts, post cards and maps. "Black Rain Foundation" provides these. A photo book or a tourist map could help gently wake Haiti from its fairy-tale slumber.


Little investment, huge impact
"Black Rain" draws most of its finances from donations. As an initial startup Smiles Media in Zürich injected 100'000 Swiss francs into the foundation. Further income also came from the sale of souvenirs.

Other fundraising activities include:
- TV ads and web banners
- Public Relations campaigns in europe: Web, Print, TV.
- Information, photos and downloadable souvenirs are freely available on the Black Rain website

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Spendenkonto
Black Rain Group Foundation Zurich
Post Finance Schweiz Konto 85-100081-4
CH39 0900 0000 8510 0081 4

Spenden-Telefon Schweiz
0900 00 99 77 (CHF 10 - 100)

Die Black Rain Group Foundation Zurich wurde im August 2009 von Bruno Stettler und Richard  Marbacher gegründet.
Die Stiftung ist gemeinnützig, politisch unabhängig und überkonfessionell. Sie betreibt unter anderem das Black Rain Group-Waisenhaus in Cap Haitien – ein langfristiges Projekt, in dem Kinder nicht nur vorübergehend, sondern bis zu ihrer Volljährigkeit betreut werden. Darüber hinaus unterstützt die Stiftung weitere humanitäre Projekte in Haiti wie ein Hospital in Montrouis, weitere Waisenhäuser und ein Altenheim in Cap Haitien. Die Arbeit der Foundation und die Verwendung der Mittel steht unter der Kontrolle der Eidgenössischen Stiftungsaufsicht Bern. Die Stiftung ist eingetragen im Handelsregister des Kanton Zürich.

Kontakte

Schweiz:
Black Rain Group Foundation
Sihlstrasse 99
CH-8001 Zürich
Tel.: + 41 79 633 37 82
Mail: info@blackraingroup.org
www.blackraingroup.org

Haiti:
Black Rain Group Waisenheim
Jacquesson Mexil – siergre social
Fort st Michel rue du port # 5
Cap Haitien, Haiti