The Haiti Connection
Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church
Cincinnati , Ohio
Karen McGee Coordinator
513-919-1542
The mission of the Haiti Connection is to expand and coordinate the ministry resources of the Hyde Park Community Church for the people of Haiti .
Background:
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere . The Arawak Ameri-Indians inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492. The Indians were annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17 th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar- related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean , but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18 th century, Haiti 's nearly half million slaves revolted and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare it independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. Today Haiti continues to struggle with effective leadership and in February of 2006 elected Prevail as President.
There are over 400 non government organizations (NGOs) in Haiti . A variety of religious and service organizations offer health care, food, housing, orphan care and other services where there are none. The government has limited resources and an underdeveloped system of caring for Haitian citizens. Most people are not employed and live on $1.00 per day. School is only available to those who pay tuition except for church sponsored schools. Most of these have classes to the third grade. There are a million homeless people and a large percentage of them are children. The NGOs are loosely connected through some government effort but the needs are immediate and supplies are so scarce, long term planning and care is not achieved.
There are many opportunities to serve in Haiti and Hyde Park Community Methodist Church has been involved financially and through volunteer offerings. One of the most successful missions, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission in Louis du Nord, provides a safe and supportive community for citizens of this region. They were founded in 1980 as an outreach of the Christian Church and the leaders are Larry and Dianna Owens, and their adult children who serve in a variety of leadership positions. Some of the services they provide include an orphanage for 136 children, nutrition and water services, home visits, a home for special needs children, schools for children and teachers, a home for homeless old people, a pediatric and adult clinic, a birth center and surgery and dental services on a rotating basis.
Over 600 volunteers travel to Louis du Nord annually to serve at the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. People who come are Christian men, women and adolescents with skills that represent a cross section of professions and vocations found within most church congregations. There are brick layers, ministers, lab technicians, seamstresses musicians, doctors, dentists, plumbers, electricians, farmers, nurses, teachers and as many skills as there are individuals willing to help.
Funding is through donations. All services to the Haitian people are free. Volunteers travel and serve at their own expense.
Opportunities to serve:
Service Opportunities at Northwest Haiti Christian Mission are:
1. Provide beans, rice, maize and ble that is purchased in Haiti and prepared at the mission for feeding men women and children in the nutrition center and orphanage and delivered to homes of people who can not travel to the center.
Beans: 100# - 400 goudes/ $48.20
Rice: 100# - 250 goudes / $30.12
Maize: 50# - 120 goudes /$30.12
Ble: 100# - 120 goudes / $30.12
2. Sponsor a homeless elderly person to live at the Graumoon. You may choose the person
you wish to sponsor from photographs. $75 a month per resident.
3. Sponsor an orphan child living in the orphanage or home for special children. You may
choose the child you wish to sponsor from photographs. $75 a month per child.
4. Make layettes , fertility beads, baby slings, blankets: $5-$10 for supplies to make your own
5. Pledge financial support toward the salary of a midwife. $192 a week.
6. Collect small stuffed animals, picture books, balls, crayons, coloring books and CD music for children. $5 - $10 each
7. Ship a container by sea packed with food and supplies. $300
Merci Nou pral priye pou yo. Thank you.