Our Rules of Operation
About any donations we receive
Any money donated to our charity has to go to a Haitian hand. Nothing is to be used for overhead. No wages are paid to anyone other than citizens of Haiti who are working on our projects. Currently we hire Haitians at 5 dollars US a day which is the going rural rate for labour in Haiti. Due to the fact there is 95% unemployment the local people are happy to have the work. They want these jobs.
We do spend money in Haiti for building materials, fuel to run the small boat Wagner Tanis is Captain of, and to pay for emergency health care issues of Haitians, in Haiti. At all times the money goes from Canada to Haiti and one of our Haitian workers will do the purchasing. Receipts are kept and all costs are carefully monitored. We understand donations needed to be treated with respect.
We do not just hand out money. Every dollar is treated like an investment. We want to see results and improvements.
There is only one person in our charity that handles any donations. She is our treasurer - Bonnie Melicherick. No one in the charity is allowed to handle any of the money coming in other than the treasurer. The CEO of the charity and others do not spend any of the donations without the treasurer involved. All programs in Haiti are discussed fully by everyone in the charity and we invest the money wisely.
Our books are open to everyone to inspect. We are monitored by Revenue Canada and have to meet strict reporting procedures. We work closely with Dr. John Mitchell who does all our tax reporting. He is available for anyone to talk to about our financial goals and objectives.
All vessels involved, crew on those vessels, supplies for those vessels, crew working in Haiti etc; all donate their time and supplies. Not one penny from any donation goes to anyone on these vessels for anything including fuel, repairs and food.
In short, if you give us a dollar - that full dollar goes to a Haitian one way or another. We are proud of that fact.
We understand how some charities have taken advantage of people who want to help out. We understand many are tired of having their hard earned "helping out" dollars abused. We understand the disgust of hearing of some overheads, wages and expenses some charities work under. That is why this charity is doing well. Every dollar you give to us ends up in a Haitian Hand. We are part of the new wave of "pure charities".
Thank you for showing interest in our efforts.
We look forward to any input you have.
Bruce Leeming
CEO
FRIENDS OF ILE A VACHE HAITI
