At 68, Paulet P lives in Morne Thomonde, a remote locality on the Central Plateau. Father of six children, he has long cultivated the land with pride, drawing his livelihood from the harvests to feed his family. But the years took their toll. His strength declined. His eyesight weakened. Today, he no longer has the physical means to work as he used to.
Despite this, Paulet continues to get up every morning. He makes progress, as best he can. But he can no longer support himself alone.
In this commune, many elderly people live in extreme precariousness, often forgotten, with no social or economic support. It was to respond to this silent emergency that the Fonds d’Assistance Économique et Sociale (FAES), with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), set up a direct assistance program, with logistical support from Zanmi Lasante.
It was at the Thomonde Health Center that he received, for the first time, a food kit and financial support. Concrete help at a critical time.
On the day of the distribution, Paulet held his bag tightly against him. His voice, tinged with emotion, said the essential:
“If it wasn’t for the help of the right people, I don’t know how I’d survive. My living conditions are difficult, and if you could see where I live, you’d understand. But now I’m thinking that maybe God sent you. I’ve never had so much help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Paulet’s story is that of many others. A life of toil. A precarious old age. And the wait for a gesture that changes everything.
The kits distributed by the program are no substitute for a steady income. But they do bring immediate relief. Proof that, even far away, even forgotten, people like Paulet still count.
Each helping hand received is a reminder of what solidarity means: recognizing the dignity of those who have given so much, and reaching out to them when they need it.