Hi GOEX Family –

 I’ve waited 21 days to post an update on what’s happening in Haiti.  Thank you to all of you who have reached out with kind words and prayers for the team.  I was hopeful that I could share something different from the following… 

 I know we’ve communicated in the past that gangs control most of Port au Prince.  I know we’ve also shared that our team continues to work despite the danger because that work is life-giving for them and their families.  However, Monday we made the hard decision to close our factory for the next 30 days and then reevaluate the situation. 

 Why?  Why now versus other times over the past two years?  As many of you may have seen in the news, on Thursday, February 29^th, the gangs that hold control over different parts of Port au Prince united their forces with the stated goal of forcing the resignation of the unelected Prime Minister.  They attacked police stations, the airport, the port and many other businesses and institutions.  The Prime Minister has agreed to resign as soon as a transitional government is in place but attempts to install that government have stagnated.  This leaves the country in an incredibly unstable place as gang members continue to loot businesses and destroy property.  The streets are simply not safe.  The port and airport remain closed leaving us with no way to get goods in or out of the country.

 The good news is that we have a lot of stock in Kansas City and our print shop is running at full speed to fulfill your orders.  We appreciate your patience as we navigate a few out-of-stock items.  We do have fabric in the works in South Carolina and we’re sewing some styles in the United States to cover current programs.  (We will be in communication with affected customers regarding those items as we will not be able to offer our standard discounts on items sewn domestically.)

 So, how can you help?

1. Keep those orders coming!  As I said, we have over 200,000 garments in Kansas City ready to print for you.  Those sales continue to support Haiti!
2. Give to GOEX via The Global Orphan Project, our non-profit parent organization.  100% of your donations over the next two weeks will go to support our team in Haiti.  Primarily, these funds will allow the team to support their families while they cannot work.  We need $300 per day to support the cutting team, sewing operators and support staff.  And we need to cover four weeks!  All donations to this fund are tax deductible.
3. If you’re a praying person, please keep praying for Haiti.  The people there need what literally feels like a miracle.  They need safety and security and a new government that wants to govern for the good of the people and not for personal gain or power.  They need to go to work and school without fear.

 This quote came from a fellow business in Haiti and we couldn’t agree more: "Now is not the time to give up hope. To the contrary, now is the time to work harder than ever to create change."

 Thank you again to all of you for your ongoing support of our mission to change lives through the dignity of work.  We cannot do any of this without you and we are SO grateful.

 --Jessica Ray
Executive Director, GOEX