Reflecting on Quarter 1: A Deep Dive into the Preserving Families Program Audit
In our ongoing quest to broaden the impact we make, to reach new heights we once thought impossible, we commit ourselves to each step of this journey, especially when it comes to those most vulnerable. We, together, are working to shape the lives of children, families, and entire communities across Haiti. One of the foundational pillars of our work is the Preserving Families Project in Jacmel, Haiti. In the first quarter of this year, we launched a comprehensive audit to realign our efforts, ensuring that our resources are meeting the families that need us most. Here’s an update on that process and our findings.
The Audit Process: Step-by-Step
To approach this audit with clarity and precision, we crafted a well-thought-out workflow that would lead to meaningful results.
1. Design – The Workflow
Louis, who led the audit, meticulously structured the entire process. He began by conducting household assessments for all the families in the Stronger Together (ST) program. Each family was then ranked, from the most vulnerable to the least, using the data collected during these assessments. This helped us understand exactly where our support would have the greatest impact.
2. Rubric Creation – Scoring the Vulnerability
Creating a scoring system is no small task, but we were determined to ensure that we could rank these families in a way that allowed us to clearly prioritize those most in need. The rubric Louis developed focused on several critical factors that influence vulnerability:
- Family location (city vs. rural)
- Employment status (Are both parents employed? Is anyone working?)
- Household size and food security (How many meals do they have each day?)
- Housing situation (Do they own or rent their home? Are they living with others?)
- Dependency on external aid and the risk of family separation if support is removed.
A family scoring high in these areas became a priority for additional support. We weighed these factors carefully, making sure our criteria reflected both immediate needs and long-term stability.
3. Quality Control – Maintaining Integrity
The audit was designed to be as accurate and unbiased as possible. While we didn’t use a statistical test for verification, Louis cross-checked his findings against Asana records and trusted his intuition to identify discrepancies. He relied on his experience to understand when something didn’t quite align and used logical reasoning to adjust as needed.
4. Stakeholder Input – A Collective Approach
The families, community leaders, and program staff were not merely passive participants in this process; they had a chance to review and challenge the data collected. We believe that this collaborative approach is crucial in ensuring our work remains grounded and responsive to those we serve.
5. Timeline – Staying the Course
We set ambitious goals for this audit, aiming for completion by the end of March 2025. While 95% of the audit proceeded as planned, some families were difficult to reach, which caused a slight delay. As a result, we extended the process into April 2025. Though we didn’t hit every mark on time, our commitment to getting it right was unwavering.
Findings: The Data Speaks
Our audit didn’t just gather numbers; it told a powerful story about the lives of these families and the patterns of need within Jacmel.
1. Need Tiers – A Snapshot of Priority Levels
From the data, we established clear tiers of need, from urgent to moderate to low priority. This allowed us to focus resources on those who would benefit most from our support.
2. Key Drivers of Need – What Matters Most
Some factors consistently stood out as key drivers of a family’s overall vulnerability. The most predictive indicators were:
- Income vs. spending: The disparity between what families earn and what they must spend.
- Housing conditions: Families living in unstable conditions faced heightened vulnerabilities.
- Employment status: Families with unstable or no employment were often in urgent need of support.
3. Trend Insights – Patterns Emerging in Communities
Our findings revealed some telling trends about life in Jacmel. Interestingly, rural families, while not financially abundant, were often more self-sufficient. They owned their homes and were less dependent on external aid. Their biggest need, however, was education. In contrast, families in urban areas faced more immediate struggles with food security, rent, and general survival, making them highly dependent on our program.
4. Unexpected Results – Surprises and Challenges
While many expected urban families to be the most vulnerable, our findings highlighted a shift in understanding. The stability seen in rural families—despite lower incomes—was eye-opening. This reinforces our belief that resilience often looks different in different settings, and our support needs to adapt accordingly.
5. Strengths Discovered – Models of Resilience
Despite the challenges, we saw a number of families with strong foundations: they owned their homes, had steady income sources, and faced few medical expenses. These families were not just surviving—they were thriving in spite of the odds. They emerged as examples of what stability can look like, even in a difficult context. These models of resilience are worth replicating elsewhere.
Moving Forward
This audit wasn’t just a data collection exercise; it was a chance to sharpen our vision, focus our efforts, and ensure that every resource we deploy in Jacmel is going to those who need it the most. It’s a process that never stops, but the lessons we’ve learned in Quarter 1 will serve as the foundation for even greater impact in the months ahead.
The goal remains the same: unwavering in our mission, dedicated to broadening our reach, and making a lasting impact. Together, we press forward, determined to see the transformation we’ve always envisioned for Haiti’s children and families.
Let’s keep climbing.