October 5, 2005

Dear Friends of the What If? Foundation,

 
It’s been several weeks since I’ve written.  I was waiting and hoping that I could email you that Fr. Jean-Juste had been released from prison, but this has not happened.  He remains in the Haitian National Penitentiary, without formal charges.  Last week a letter in support of Fr. Jean-Juste and signed by over 400 religious leaders from around the world was delivered to the Haitian Interim Government, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, and the U.S. State Department. We remain hopeful that it will create new movement in his case.  I’ve printed below the most recent message from Fr. Jean-Juste, dictated from prison, which reveals his unwavering faith and commitment to peaceful change in Haiti.  
 
Through it all our food and education programs continue to run smoothly.  Meals are served to the children every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at the St. Clare’s Rectory.  One of the cooks recently emailed that the number of children who come to the rectory remains over 700.  About 150 adults are also fed at each meal.  The 20 elementary and high school students we sponsor have been enrolled in school and have just completed their first month.  The two college students we support have also just started a new semester.
 
I have read that some non-profit agencies have pulled out of Port-au-Prince because of the deteriorating political situation and the oppression and violence.  We’ve been able to continue our work because of the faith and determination of the members of St. Clare’s Church. I’ve always been inspired by their commitment to feed the children (every meal involves at least 12 hours of work), but have seen in recent months, as life has grown increasingly difficult (beyond anything most of us could ever imagine), that their faith and love and courage run at a level that’s much deeper than is usually found in our day to day lives.  To be connected to people like this is very rare and an honor.   This quote from an email I received from our Sunday cook a few days ago speaks volumes.
 
“I am happy to do this service for my people. It's good to have people surrounding you happy.  You know I am happy to help those in need.  I have enough love in my heart to give.”

As always, your contributions are needed to keep our programs going.  With the recent hurricanes and the other desperate situations around the world, there are many places and people that need financial help.  With the What If? Foundation and the simple, direct nature of our programs (and the fact that our administrative costs are less than 3% of our budget), donations of any size make a difference.  One meal costs 50 cents.  We’ve been able to keep the food flowing for nearly six years because of people sharing what they can – little by little – piti piti.    
 
Thank you for your support and for spreading the word about What If?
 
With love,
 
Margaret


--
Margaret Trost, President
What If? Foundation
1563 Solano Ave., #192
Berkeley, CA  94707
To donate visit:  http://www.whatiffoundation.org
<margarettrost@yahoo.com>

Providing Hope and Opportunity to Impoverished Children in Haiti



September 27th Message from Fr. Jean-Juste

Dear Friends:

Your work has been having results - keep up the pressure!  The cause of justice in Haiti is moving forward.  

Today in Port au Prince, Condoleeza Rice made a point to challenge the unjust legal system in Haiti.   She held up Yvon Neptune and myself as examples of how the system continues to work injustices for the people of our country.   There is no doubt that your pressure is making the US and the UN face the injustices in Haiti.  Every one of you who has demonstrated, written a letter, made a phone call, stood up for justice in Haiti - I thank you.  You have uplifted my spirits and the spirits of all who struggle against the machinery of injustice.

I am holding on to the log of hope in the swirling waters of injustice.  The church tried to knock my hands off the log when they suspended my priestly duties when someone tried to register me as a candidate for president.  I am appealing the decision to suspend me from priestly duties.  Since I am not a candidate for the election for president I should be able to continue my service as a priest.  But I cannot do that until I have the canon law books to defend myself.  But I will do it when I can.  Contrast how the church treated me with the recent case of two white Belgian priests who were being deported by the Dominican Republic for standing with the Haitian poor in that country.  I salute my brothers for taking that action.  There the church stood with them and even the papal nuncio came to their defense.  Why is it different when I try to stand with the poor of Haiti?  I too am a friend of the poor.  Why is there no church support?

That is why I was so happy to see all the church leaders from many faiths sign onto a letter asking for my release - your courage helps me and will hopefully help our sisters and brothers of faith in Haiti struggle for justice and peace.

I want to hold on to the log of hope and cross over the waters of injustice to freedom and to continue serving the people of Haiti.  
I am very sensitive about the people in the St. Claire's community.  As you know, the church serves hundreds of meals to hungry children several times a week.  We are only able to do this with the help of the What If Foundation and Margaret Trost and all those who join in helping the poor.  Please support this work and help continue our program of feeding the poor.  Punish me but do not punish the poor people.   Even though I am currently under suspension, the people should not suffer.

Thank you for uplifting my spirits and keep up the pressure for human rights and justice for all the people of Haiti!

Pere Gerard Jean-Juste
Pacot Annex Haitian National Penitentiary
 
Dictated to Bill Quigley, September 27, 2005 in prison.
Bill Quigley is a professor of law at Loyola University New Orleans and is assisting Mario Joseph of BAI in his representation of Fr. Jean-Juste.  Bill is a volunteer with the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti