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Gang violence, severe fuel shortages and skyrocketing food prices in Haiti continue to worsen, exacerbated by the assassination of the President in July 2021. Only a month later, on August 21st, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Haiti and damaged close to 50 Compassion child development centres.
When a crisis strikes, our mission remains the same: to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion has a long history of serving the children of Haiti and we're making every effort to support our affected church partners and the children in their care.
Both French and Haitian Creole are widely spoken in Haiti. There is a Creole saying known for its blunt declaration of perseverance and strength: ‘Nou led, nou la’ meaning ‘we are here, we survive anyway’.
Watch the video update below from our passionate local church partners in Haiti to learn more.
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Thank you for praying for staff, churches, children and families in Haiti.
For sisters Denise, 21, and Rosandie, 18, a pandemic in their community of Canaan meant they would be facing even more housing difficulties in an already weak infrastructure. Both were living with their older sister, Anita, but financial pressure set in and they were unable to afford rent. The sisters thought they only had one option left. Read more open_in_new
Please note: Haiti is one of nine Compassion partner countries that are severely affected by the current global food crisis. Our local church partners are responding with both short-term relief and long-term solutions to fight hunger.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Haiti typically attend program activities at their local child development centre before or after school. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Haiti.
8:00am - A time of prayer and devotion and breakfast. A typical breakfast usually consists of eggs, bread or buns and tea.
9:00am - Spiritual lessons, in which children sing songs and learn Bible stories. Children aged three to five are given an illustrated Bible with simple stories. Children aged six to eight receive an illustrated Bible with longer stories. Children aged nine to 14 are given a complete Bible. Students over the age of 15 receive a study Bible.
10:30am - Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
11:00am - Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm - Lunch and social time. Children often receive sandwiches, juice or milk, or a hot meal of spaghetti or rice, beans, vegetables and meat. There is a special nutritional program for malnourished children.
1:00pm - Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene lessons, including how to prevent malaria and HIV.
2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
Children are also invited to attend spiritual retreats during Carnival and Easter. Older students can choose vocational training classes, including painting, crafts, sewing, computer, music, photography, videography, cooking and foreign language classes. Parents and caregivers are offered income generation activities and parenting seminars each week.
of people live in poverty
of people are facing acute food insecurity
of people can’t read and write
Haiti became the first independent Caribbean state when it ousted its French colonial rulers and abolished slavery in the early 19th century. Haitians are characterised by their wonderful sense of humour as well as their resilience in the face of great adversities, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and gang violence.
Haiti is currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with more than half the population living in poverty. Widespread malnutrition has led to approximately 22 per cent of children experiencing moderate to severe growth stunting.
Equally pervasive and just as detrimental to their development is child labour.24 per cent of children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour of some sort.
Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated during a raid on his home on 7th July, 2021. Only a month later, on August 14th, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Haiti. Close to 50 child development centres, which oversee more than 17,000 children, were destroyed or reported heavy damage.
This instability comes against a backdrop of historical destruction caused by earthquakes, floods and cyclones that regularly sweep the nation. Tens of thousands of Haitian people have lost their lives in the events of the past decade and millions more have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed. These regular events make it very difficult for the nation to build the infrastructure it needs—hospitals, roads, schools—to bring its people out of poverty.
Yet the church is rising again and again in response, meeting children’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs—providing them and their families with the immediate and long-term support they need to get back to their feet and experience the unfailing hope found in Jesus Christ.
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