Haitian currency is the gourde, and there are about 7 gourdes to the U.S. dollar. American money is not used, so Sonlight missionaries exchange money for use in Haiti. Missionaries usually maintain a stateside checking account. A check is written from this account and exchanged for Haitian currency. The money is then drawn from one’s bank account within weeks.

Sonlight’s accountant, Crista Guyer, sends out salary checks each month. She mails each missionary’s check directly to a bank or to a contact person for depositing. Checks are mailed on or around the 28th of each month. It is necessary for each missionary to contact Crista to set up a system. She can be reached at 812-473-4942.

Cost of food and items in Haiti varies, depending on nature and origination. Imported goods roughly cost twice as much as those same goods in the U.S. Haitian-made items are inexpensive. Missionaries try to buy “Haitian” as much as possible to spare the cost of imports and shipping.

Raised support covers many expenses, like housing and utilities. However, missionaries do have some in-country expenses to cover. These include groceries, household workers, and some local travel. Roommates tend to share the costs of groceries and household workers. Staff often hire Haitian nationals to work in their houses as maids and/or cooks. Salaries depend on the type and amount of work they do. These workers would be otherwise unemployed, and their help frees Sonlight missionaries to do ministry work. In-country travel expenses include personal travel in Port-de-Paix and holiday travel when school is not in session.