Sponsors, Donors, and Supporters,
We are writing to you today with a heavy heart to share some difficult news regarding Kozefò and ANAC School. As you may know, Haiti has been facing a series of ongoing challenges, including political unrest, natural disasters, and violent crime. The continued unrest and gang violence in Port-au-Prince has made its way into the neighborhood of our school. Our staff made the responsible decision to delay the start of the school year because it was simply not safe for students and staff to leave their homes. Things have further escalated over the last two weeks. Armed gang members have taken over our building and much of the furniture, supplies, and technology have been stolen and our staff no longer have access to the school grounds.
After careful consideration, our board has made the difficult decision to temporarily pause operations at Kozefò as we are unable to fulfill the mission that we set out to do. This decision was not taken lightly, and we understand that it may raise concerns for our dedicated supporters.
As of December 1st, all student sponsorships and recurring donations will be suspended and recurring donations from November will be refunded. All remaining funds in the Kozefò account will stay untouched until we can determine next steps. We are hopeful that Haiti will return to a level of safety that will allow for us to reopen the school and continue with our original mission.
We want to assure you that we are committed to resuming operations as soon as it is safe and feasible to do so. We intend to maintain transparency with our supporters throughout this challenging period. Regular communication with our staff in Haiti remains a priority. Periodic updates will be provided regarding the situation in Haiti and the status of the school.
This is a difficult time for everyone and your continued support of Kozefò and the staff, students, and families of ANACS is greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions about your donation or our decision to pause operations, please do not hesitate to contact us at finance@kozefo.org.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Sincerely,
The Kozefò Board of Directors