Returning From a Three-Week Trip

I just returned from a three-week trip to Haiti.  Joining me during part of that time was Susan Hevalow, John Howard, and Kyle Butler.  While there, we followed-up on the progress of all of our Love Haiti students, including  one-on-one sessions with each student, and an end-of-the semester celebration with the students and their families. We paid second-semester tuitions at four different schools, hired tutors for students in need, and sought medical care for a couple of students who needed it.  In addition, we researched and toured a public school in Port au Prince (there are not many, and we learned that entrance is extremely competitive); we toured a four-year nursing university in Leogane, and an English School in Port au Prince for future reference.  
We stayed at Notre Maison Children's Home in Port au Prince where Love Haiti sponsors a tutor for the children who live there.  We were able to observe his work, and interact with the children, learning more about their needs.
We also visited a Methodist Church in Port au Prince.  They have 4,000 members.  We were able to meet with the pastors, and they were kind enough to allow us to use a classroom to perform eye exams for the elderly.  Before we left for Haiti, Restoring Vision donated 300 pairs of reading glasses with instructions on how to perform eye exams for presbyopia.  Some of our Love Haiti students helped us perform the exams.  It was an opportunity for them to help others.    
This was a productive trip in so many ways.  Overall, the students are doing well.  We will be posting more details about our trip during the next few weeks, highlighting stories about specific students.  If you have any questions, please ask.

Upcoming Mission Trip ~ January 2014

In January, 2014, a group is traveling to Haiti to pay school tuition for the second semester.  There are no "middle agents" in the Love Haiti project.  Volunteers pay their own way, and make tuition payments directly to the schools.  While there, the volunteers will meet with the students and their families, teachers, and principals.  If a child is needing some assistance in school, Love Haiti will attempt to provide that for them.  The students are required to pass their subjects.  They understand the consequences if they do not (they will not be sponsored).  Haitians value an education.  It is a precious commodity to them and their families.   

Prayers for Debbie, John, Sue  and Kyle who will be venturing to Haiti soon!

Notre Maison Children's Home Tutoring

 We exceeded our goal of enrolling 14 students in the 2013-14 school year.  In September, we enrolled 22 students.  These children were living in a Tent City in Port au Prince when we met them. They range in age from four to 25 (Kindergarten to 12th grade). 

In addition, we are sponsoring a tutoring program at Notre Maison Children's Home in Port au Prince.   Notre Maison houses 49 children.  The tutor, Gabriel, has a full-time job assisting the school children  with homework, and he teaches them English after school.  Children in Haiti who can learn English have a greater opportunity for employment than those who do not learn English.

This is Gabriel working with some of the children at Notre Mainson Children's Home.  The children call him Papa.  He is a kind and patient person, trained in sociology.  The children are so blessed to have him as their "papa."  

Our Plan

The vast majority of Haitians earn $2 per day. A basic education costs $1 per day. That's not right. We believe God has called us to help families in Haiti because cycles of generational poverty is not God's will. We believe God can use us to make a difference. We believe education is one of the key components to long-term lasting change. The Plan: Our goal for our Love Haiti ministry is to build relationships with Haitians that can help bring about lasting change to a desperate situation. Over the next few years, we hope to send children to school as well as form a relationship with a local church to be able to provide care, support, and prayer.

Love Haiti is for everyone.  From the youngest of children to our oldest members, we believe there are ways for all of us to help. There will be those who end up going and there will be more who stay and commit to pray for the work God is doing. Our Love Haiti ministry has a set a goal to send 14 kids to school in 2013-2014, plus to pay for tutoring and follow up in-home instruction. We will have the 2013-2014 school money raised by October when we will send another team to deliver the money.

Here's how you can help: Pray. Give.  The cost of a Haitian education is only $1 per day. If you would like to help send a child to school by paying the entire tuition or a partial tuition, you can make that donation either in a one-time gift, monthly, or weekly gift. You can always donate through the offering plate or by sending a check or cash to the church, just make sure you mark it for Love Haiti. You can also give online by clicking here.  

Invite.  Giving towards Love Haiti is a great project for families, Sunday Schools, Small Groups, Classes or even offices and neighborhoods. The possibilities are endless!  Invite your friends to help. Host an event, a bake sale, a garage sale, lemonade stand to help. Get creative and invite others to help make a difference.  Ask about having a speaker come to your group to spread the word about LoveHaiti.

Thank you SO much for your support!