What does Haitians Helping Haitians do for the people of Haiti?
Here is a description of our programs that we opearate in several different communities in Haiti. The director, Elage Estime received a school sponsorship as a child. He recognizes that without it he would not have been able to attend school as a child. He has a desire to extend to others the gift he received. He wanted to start by giving back to the two communities that he lived in as a child. Even though his vision was big, he started by using what he had in his hands. His first job was cleaning the church where he attended. With the several dollars he received, he bought bananas and candy for local children, and they enjoyed singing together. Out of this the vision expanded. Elage was able to attend YWAM and later hosted teams (clinic teams, prison ministry, building projects, school sponsorships). One of our guiding principles has been joining the local Haitians in everything we do. Thus, our name Haitians Helping Haitians for Christ. Everything we do we do WITH the Haitians. When we as a ministry accompany them, there is ownership and longevity of projects that are completed. We are excited with the ways that they give back to their communities. We were able to build a local church and construct a cistern in a prison but using the locals and USA teams in a joint team.
We were able to formally set up the current ministry, Haitians Helping Haitians for Christ as a 501C that operates under a board of directors. We primarily serve two communities where Elage grew up.
Child Sponsorships for Feeding
We are able to feed 60 children in one community weekly, in another community there are 28 sponsored children that we feed 3 times a week. In addition to eating a healthy meal, they are also able to enjoy listening to a Bible story and play games, as well as learn life skills. The children that are in the programs are chosen due to those who are most in need and whose families are not able to provide for their needs. These children risk being placed in other homes or being placed in an orphanage. The feeding program allows them to stay with their parents.
Women’s Ministry
The mothers of these children saw what their children were learning, and reflected, “why not us”? They approached the ministry asking if they too could learn at the ministry. Most of these women are illiterate. Despite their circumstances, they are attempting to provide for their families by selling produce at the market. Thus, a womens’ group was started with 23 women. They enjoy coming to the center to learn to reach and write and are learning how to not only go to market but understand how to make a profit. The community center also provides Music classes where students learn how to play musical instruments which they can then take back to their local churches. We plan to expand these programs to include skills for professions such as pluming, electrician, English classes, etc.
Annual Pastors’ Seminars
We are also able to host local pastors for seminars. The purpose of this is both to bring pastors in surrounding communities together to attend seminars as well as helping to create unity between neighboring churches and pastors.
Schools
We sponsor children most in need to attend school. We prioritize school sponsorships to children that would not be able to attend school otherwise.
We also help a school in another community. The school has over 200 local children and we are able to provide some monthly support to help pay the teachers. We also enjoy visiting and hosting special events and feeding them as we are able.
Summer Camp
Summer camp has been a highlight as we bring 200 children and leaders together from different communities for a weekend of Bible School, sports, crafts and the highlight is eating together! We invite children to the program from each of the communities we serve. These same communities bring leaders. In this way, we are reaching children with Bible stories as well as helping to grow the leaders. Unfortunately, we have not been able to have camp the last two years due to safety issues due to gang violence.
Food Distribution
Due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, we have been able to distribute food to local orphanages, churches and communities. Of course, this has been possible due to partnering with local Haitians who are also dedicated to giving back to their communities.
Construction Projects
We have helped with construction projects in communities as we are able to. We usually work alongside Haitians in these projects. We have built a local church, 2 community centers, a cistern in a prison and mission house. Allowing Haitians to assist in these projects helps them learn construction skills and it also helps them to give back to their communities. The mission assists with funds to make these projects a reality.