Haiti is home to over 10.6 million people, where the average family makes $1,800 a year. Did you know the average family in the United States makes $59,500? Over 58% of people in Haiti live in poverty (less than $2 a day), making it the poorest country in the western hemisphere. About one in two Haitians use unsanitary water, which causes disease, and only 50% of Haitian children attend school, which makes it difficult for them to find work later in life. The official language of Haiti is French. The country’s secondary language is Creole.

Almost everyone in Central America and the Caribbean is a Catholic or Protestant. But many people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic also practice Voodoo. People who practice Voodoo worship many spirits. Haiti’s government says voodoo is the country’s official religion.

Sources: World Factbook and The Borgen Project, 2018

To help you think about Haiti this week, and create a gathering point for prayer, print off this Haitian flag, color it using the image below for reference, and hang it on your fridge or somewhere everyone in the family will see. When you pass by this flag, take a second and pray for the children, families, and churches in Haiti.

Storm Central

Haiti’s location in the Caribbean makes it especially susceptible to tropical storms and earthquakes. Severe weather is not only common, but also devastating because of the lack of resources and infrastructure. 2020 is the ten-year anniversary of one of the most deadly earthquakes to ever hit Haiti. It takes a long time to rebuild from such a big disaster, but especially without proper materials and training. Watch this video from five years ago and then a few survivors will share how things look today!

“It was about 4:50 PM, and I was studying. Suddenly, I felt the ground shaking, but I didn’t understand what was happening. The ground was shaking, people were running, and even voodoo practitioners were calling Jesus because they didn’t understand what was happening. Later, I learned it was an earthquake,” shared Wisnerley, who was 10 during the earthquake.

Wisnerley, now 20 years old, is completing grade 12 and wants to study diplomacy and international relations after completing high school.

Jesus Robson, now 20 years old, “After the earthquake, nobody helped us except Compassion and our sponsors. I want to thank Compassion because they supported me a lot to face that hard and difficult situation. Thank you very much.” Ten years later, Jesus is enrolled in his first year of university and is studying chemistry.

“After the earthquake, Compassion provided books and counseling to teach children how to face trauma. I am pleased to be part of an organization who take care of people,” said Marie, one of the Child Development Center Directors. Over 9,000 individuals received psychological care.

Then came Hurricane Matthew. The last major hurricane to hit Haiti was also one of the worst. Hurricane Matthew struck southwestern Haiti near Les Anglais on October 4, 2016. It was a category 4 storm that caused a catastrophic amount of damage

“Noula!”

If you had been walking the streets of Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, you might have heard this common phrase spoken among survivors.

It means, “We are here. We survive.”

Angeline faced especially difficult circumstances. Watch her story.

The emergency team, made up of field office staff, continues to address the immediate relief needs of Compassion children and their families.

Child Development Center Director, Emmanuel Pierre Louis shares:

“This storm, it has greatly affected this community. This community has had its arms and legs broken by the storm.”

“Our drinking system is gone, and we have no clean water. We have to drive 30 minutes just to find safe water for cooking or drinking.”

Haiti staff members are distributing supplies such as food, water and hygiene kits. They’re also collecting clothing and other goods to distribute to areas where the needs are overwhelming.

Pastor Jonas recounts the damage done to his church:

“The destruction was terrible, the first time I’ve seen this in my entire life, the first time. As the worst of the storm was leaving, we rushed into the church to salvage what we could. We were up to our knees in water, getting under the limbs of fallen trees, trying to save laptops, our oven, generator, church TV, all the child documents for Compassion.”

“We have laid out all the children’s documents, trying to dry them. Hopefully we can save them.”

A student searches the thousands of drying documents for his letters from his sponsor.

Despite all the challenges, churches are exploring ways to resume activities, so they can assist children with psychological recovery and continue their schooling.

Haitians have endured unthinkable trauma and many still bear scars, but, just like the day they tore free of the rubble, they’re walking towards the future with gratitude and determination. And the local church is right there beside them.

Activity: Make Mango Jam

Even though the tropical weather can cause lots of damage when it’s extreme, it also brings life-giving rain. The climate is perfect for one of the most popular fruits in Haiti – mango. There are said to be over 100 varieties of mangos grown in Haiti. Because of this Haiti is even sometimes called “Mango Land”! Make this recipe with your family so you can have the delicious taste of mango year-round.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. How far away is Haiti from where you live? Is it closer or further than you thought?
  2. Have you experienced a big storm? What was it like?
  3. If your home got destroyed what would you need first? What would you miss the most?

CLOSING

To bring today’s time in Haiti to a close, read this verse aloud and then take a moment to pray for the country of Haiti.

BIBLE VERSE

Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

PRAYER

Jesus, today we ask you to watch over the children of Haiti. We pray for their safety and that their needs for food, water, shelter, medicine, and safety are met. We ask you to help them feel your presence today, and find joy in whatever they are doing. Amen.

Thanks for spending some time with us today! Check your inbox tomorrow for Day 2 of your journey to Haiti.