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HAITI is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and the second hungriest country in the world.
Hungry children do not learn and are absent from school because of sickness and exhaustion. The Haitian proverb, “Sak vid pa Kanpe,” (An empty sack cannot stand) is used to describe the plight of children whose daily struggle is to survive in a country of unnecessary mass starvation.
Joining with UMCOR, the Michigan Area of the United Methodist Church has been involved in providing a nutritious mid-morning lunch for the children.
The Hot Lunch Program has been very successful in lowering school absenteeism, increasing the general health of the students, and raising the average test scores on national exams. The Haiti School Hot Lunch program has also provided summer programs of Bible study, recreation, and community activities for children. Michigan Methodists have been an important part of this program with 70% of the hot lunch costs coming from the generous giving of United Methodists throughout the state.
This is an on-going project and there is much more that needs to be done to help these children; children who normally walk miles to get to and from school. The recent political crisis in Haiti has caused severe problems for the people. There is a severe shortage of food, uncontrollable inflation, and the citizenry are without security. Working in cooperation with the church in Haiti and UMCOR to help alleviate Haiti’s major problem of hunger has become the mission priority for the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force programs.
The average cost of a single meal for a student is about 50 cents, but it can be as much as 75 cents depending on the area, cost and availability of food. The meal, usually the traditional rice and beans, is for many children the only meal they will receive each day. The average cost to provide a child an education is about $250.00 a year and parents make great sacrifices to provide schooling in a Methodist school where there is a hot lunch (canteen) program. It takes a larger percentage of the family income to educate a child in Haiti than anywhere else in the world, considering the average income is between $250.00 and $300.00 per year.
VIM teams (Volunteer in Mission) from Michigan have been working to build school and, church buildings; to improve existing schools with equipment, security walls, and other facilities which help make the schools cleaner and provide a better environment for learning.
Michigan Methodists have helped with VBS programs, health care projects and have shipped containers of needed school kits, health kits and other items requested by the Haitian church. The VIM program has helped not only the schools but also the community in general with work programs at clinics and agricultural projects.
Haiti has faced numerous challenges since becoming a republic in 1804. Hunger has been an ongoing crisis for the population of 8 million. The lack of water and loss of vegetation has left the mountains barren and the once fertile land has been eroded into the surrounding ocean. The country has faced exploitation and political crisis during its 200-year history.
Today Haiti faces another challenge to retain a democratic and free society. If change is to take place in the country it must have an educated electorate and the benefits of an educational system that promotes responsibility and involvement in their society. The Methodist related schools are an important part of that process. Haiti needs your help in their quest for a free society with self-determination and in providing the assistance needed for the building of the country.
The children and the people of Haiti extend to everyone their thanks and appreciation for your prayers and financial support.
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