Want to join our mailing list to receive updates and newsletters by email? Just enter your email address and click subscribe.
*at no time will we give or sell your email address or personal information to any 3rd party.
One year after the earthquake in Haiti, there are still over a million people living in tent cities without clean water or food. There is also the looming threat of the Cholera epidemic. There is no security which places a lot of women and young girls in inconceivable circumstances. It is apparent that what was considered temporary has now become permanent. Michaelle Jean stated "What Haiti needs is investment in people's capacities in governance and investment in education." Haiti's stark reality presents uncertainty however, Children of Hope (COH) has seen numerous success stories that have come out of this year which brings hope for many people in Haiti.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your prayers and generous support this year. The following points are goals that COH established last year and how they were accomplished.
Administration of the Sponsorship Program including physical, medical and education relief.
At present, we have a total of 29 children receiving monthly support.
A Christmas gift of $20 was given to each child.
Dauphine school in the mountains & Handicap Association Carrefour (school in PAP). During the trip in Nov, $1000 was left at the Dauphine school to build steps into the building and finish a concrete platform within the school. The Handicap School in Carrefour (PAP) is meeting under a large tent. They received $1000 for their school along with a full bin of medical supplies and rice.
Uphold the criteria for Sponsorship Program
We continue to use the same reporting system which includes: Education, Monthly Reports and signatures for receipt of money.
Regular communication with Phyllis Newby.
The forward of funds to Haiti for 2010 was done by: 1st quarter – Karen Goodyear, 2nd quarter - Phyllis Newby, 3rd quarter - Chuck Kerr and 4th quarter - Phyllis Newby.
Administration of the Special Needs segment for the Program
A special fund for education continues to assist 7 students.
A mother of 8 children in Jacmel who lost her home, husband and a leg has received support.
Funds were provided to purchase food for 8 single mothers with families
Continue to have meals prepared for a bed-ridden elderly mother and her adult daughter living in Guiton. The daughter struggles with Parkinson.
Children's clothing and underwear handed out at the Lillie Clinic. There was plenty of new underwear and socks for the children at the St. Ard orphanage.
School books for St. Ard school.
Funds provide for Dufaite to take a computer course.
Sponsored child – Nephtalie Sainflinat's family home was destroyed during the earthquake. Funds provided to assist family with basic needs as they move into their new home, a tent.
Eight Regional Church Leaders received a large bag of medication and rice.
Forty (40) boxes were shipped to Haiti this month (January) filled with medicine and children's clothing.
Haiti Relief
Medical Trip – Nov 2010
In November, COH was able to carry down over $18,000 of medicine. Two Physician kits were obtained from Help Partners along with various other medications from pharmacies and individual donations. Our team of eight (8) were able to hold 3 medical clinics to help and treat 860 people over the course of one week. People traveled to the Mission Station seeking wound care and medical attention.
Rice and Beans
We were blessed to be able to purchase $10,100 of rice and beans. For 3 evenings, our team, helpers and many children from the orphanage packed individual bags of rice (8-9 lbs) and beans (2-3 lbs). We distributed these bags to tent cities of Levesque 1 & Levesque 2. We were able to walk the streets giving each tent/home bags of rice and beans. The reality set in for me when I talked with a grandmother and her 5 year old grandson who lost all of her children (8) and grandchildren during the earthquake. All they have left is each other in this world living in one of those makeshift homes. There was enough rice on the truck to give to our helpers, 7 schools and several more communities at Christmas time. Amazing, it reminded me of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes in Mark 6: 38-43.
HELPS International received $2,500 from the COH program to help with the building of camp/shelters for displaced people.
Goats
The goat project assists families by providing them with a goat. This year, a total of 40 goats have been purchased for 40 deserving families.
Gala of Hope was a huge success once again this year, raising a total of $12,713 with $4,256 going to HELPS International and $8,456 going to Children of Hope. Guests were treated to an awesome homemade meal with plenty of desserts and the items in the Silent Auction created competitive bidding.
Blessing Program – Manna Relief
In the spring, Manna Relief contacted us to let us know they were sending down a shipment to St. Ard that contained $35,000 worth of Catalyst (vitamin and mineral supplement) along with Osolean (helps maintain lean muscle). This was a big surprise and an enormous blessing.
For our November Medical trip, Manna Relief arranged for us to carry down Ambrotose (powder that builds the immune system) and Glyco Bears (children's supplements that also contains Ambrotose). We want to thank Manna Relief for reaching out and helping the adults and children of Haiti.
Fun Activities
A party was organized for the children in the orphanage and some of our helpers throughout our stay. The highlight of the party was 2-3 cups of different flavoured ice cream were served. What a treat as the children had not had ice cream since before the earthquake. Several different games were played. Dinner was hot dogs, fixings and juice. It was amazing to see the smaller kids eating 2 hot dogs. An interesting session of dental hygiene with toothbrushes and toothpaste came after. During the evening the children wanted to stay with us to help us with re-packaging the rice and beans for the tent cities. These children were so focused and dedicated to helping their fellow Haitians.
Projects on the horizon
Two mothers died from Cholera and left behind 4 & 5 children. We have agreed to help with financial support for 2 children that Phyllis has taken into the orphanage and another 2 children who will stay with other family members.
To obtain filtered water pumps that can produce up to 1000 litres per pump.
It has been decided that Children of Hope would like to support Eric, who lives at the orphanage in St. Ard, with his university tuition. He hopes to become a doctor. He is an intelligent young man who will be 18 yrs old in February and has graduated from High School.
A possibility of another work camp in November.
On behalf of Children of Hope, we would sincerely like to express our sincerest thanks for all the support, encouragement and prayers poured out for these children and their families throughout this past year. We could not have done this alone. Together, we can reach out and touch someone and make a difference in their lives.
Blessings to you all,
Karen Goodyear - Canadian Coordinator
Children of Hope is a holistic child care program targeted towards meeting the essential need of poor and hurting children in Haiti.