Wheels of Hope Vehicle Program

We have been raising funds to replace our vehicle, which was used to minister both to our church and the community. This vehicle is essential for purchasing and delivering food and other survival level supplies to starving people in our church and the surrounding area. It will also serve as the only ambulance in our community for emergency medical trips to the nearest hospital. However, world events and the length of time involved in raising the necessary funds for the replacement vehicle have necessitated a change in our fundraising strategy and goals.

During the course of our fundraising campaign, the cost for a truck has gone up exponentially in Haiti. Due to inflation and other global economic impacts (i.e., COVID supply chain problems and cost increases for vehicles also felt in the US), we need more than the $22,000 initially projected about a year ago. Current research shows that the type of used Toyota truck we wanted previously now costs approximately $37,000 and that for the same price we can get a comparable new Nissan truck. Consequently, it is better stewardship to switch from a used Toyota to a new Nissan and we now need $37,000. This number reflects the vehicle cost and delivery fee. We need to pay a delivery fee because it is currently too dangerous for a private individual to go to our capital of Port-au-Prince and drive back with a new truck. An individual on a motor bike to go pay will not draw a lot of attention, but driving off a dealer lot and returning in a new truck is dangerous. (For more financial information, see the dealer website: https://en.nissanhaiti.com/vehicles/new/frontier.html). The longer we wait to make the purchase, the more the potential for world crises and cost increases. We currently have $11,091 and need another $25,909 to get the required $37,000.