In Haiti, most of the activities have been paralyzed since September 16th. For the most part, public transport, commercial activities and schools in Port-au-Prince and in provincial cities are not functioning. Barricades of burning tires are erected at various points throughout.
In La Saline, a heavily populated shantytown north of Port-au-Prince, where the first Salesian house is located, the situation is extremely dramatic. Armed gangs face each other all day, every day. The Salesians live in a situation of stress and fear because they are at the center of these clashes.
Since 1936, the presence of the Salesians in La Saline is noteworthy with three major centers: ENAM, National School of Arts and Crafts; OPEPB, “Opera Little Schools of Father Bonen”; Foyer Lakay, a home for children and young people in difficulty. Every day about 4000 children and young people are welcomed.