Thank you for your steadfast partnership. We are encouraged by your prayers. We want to keep you updated on the situation in Haiti and the work of Child Hope during this crisis and ask you to continue to pray and support as you are able.
April 29, 2024
The installation ceremony of the Presidential Council was held at the National Palace in the early hours of Thursday, April 25, 2024. Unfortunately, the way in which it took place does not inspire confidence for the Haitian population.
In order to redirect the gangs, a false location for the event was published. To show their displeasure with the diversion, gangs attacked several neighborhoods in the capital, killing people, burning houses and displacing many families.
The new government has a long and challenging road ahead.
The support that our friends and partners provide to families is a great relief. Last week, a mother said, “I want to thank Child Hope for the stipend that I receive every month. It allows me to put food in the house for the children and also to support my small business of selling chicken, which would already have gone bankrupt because of inflation. Thank you very much.”
This is only possible because of supporters like you. Thank you for continuing to support Child Hope’s ministry in Haiti with your donations and prayers. It makes a huge difference.
May God bless you.
April 22, 2024
Last week the resigning government appointed 9 members to the Presidential College. This is a major step towards resolving the country’s crisis. Once installed, the urgent task for the Presidential College will be to elect its President and choose a Prime Minister, and to build a government to take charge of the country.
However, the Presidential College announcement has aroused the anger of the alliance of gangs known as Viv Ansanm, who want a place in the transitional government. In response, they attacked a police station, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy building, and the national press building. At the National Palace, gangs are attacking the police almost daily to prevent the inauguration ceremony from taking place, even though the date is not yet known to anyone.
The Child Hope team is in constant communication with the families and beneficiaries and we continue to provide them with the support they need (medical care, food, etc).
Some of the schools have timidly opened their doors despite the risks they run.
Please continue to pray for Haiti, the families, and the staff. Also pray for God to inspire the hearts of the members of the transitional government in the decisions they will make to bring the country out of this crisis.
April 15, 2024
For over a month, the crisis in Haiti has been worsening. Ports and the international airport have been attacked and remain closed. Hospitals are dysfunctional. The local pharmaceutical industry is running out of the raw materials it needs while at the same time imported medicines are becoming scarce. Schools have transitioned to online/remote learning. Many public schools in Port au Prince now serve as shelters for people displaced by the violence.
A decree has been published concerning the creation of the Presidential College, but the appointment of its members still depends on the resigning government. As the transition is prolonged, the uncertainty creates greater risks to the Haitian people, who live at the mercy of the gangs.
In the midst of all these difficulties, Child Hope continues to be a beacon of hope for young people and families. A few of the youth we work with are experiencing minor health problems and we have been able to accompany them to their medical appointments. One major highlight is that last week we completed a 3-day workshop on family reunification! This workshop had already been postponed once due to the crisis and we were worried we would have to reschedule again. Praise God it not only happened, but capacity was maxed out with twenty social workers and orphanage staff in attendance!
We thank you for your continued support of the ministry and ask to pray for Haiti.
April 8, 2024
The socio-political situation in Haiti remains tense. The coalition of armed groups known as Viv ansanm continues to sow terror. Cases of kidnapping, looting and arson continue to be reported. Last week, the national library and a number of well-known schools were looted and set on fire.
A 9-member Presidential College has been formed, and the announcement will be made in the Moniteur newspaper by the resigning Prime Minister, Ariel Henry. The term of office of the Presidential College will be 2 years from the date of swearing-in.
As previously mentioned, we are checking in with families on a weekly basis and doing our best to help meet their needs.
Please pray that Haiti emerges from this crisis soon.
April 1, 2024
The socio-political crisis in Haiti has not yet improved. Helicopters are flying over the country to evacuate foreigners, and American and Canadian soldiers are providing security for their embassies. The airport is still closed and there are no plans for its reopening.
In mid-March the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, announced he would resign following the installation of a transition council. The Council of Ministers is due to meet today to sign the decree appointing the Presidential College.
We are checking in with families on a weekly basis. All of the families we serve are in need of extra support right now, especially for food. We are doing our best to help them meet their needs. Many of the older graduates have relocated to the Dominican Republic. Schools are open from time to time and students are trying to maintain normalcy, when possible.
We pray that all will go well and that Haiti will have a transitional government to work towards a solution to this crisis situation, which is affecting families enormously and threatening the school year of children, especially those who are due to take official exams this summer 2024.
Please pray with us.
March 27, 2024
Right now, Haiti is in a state of emergency. Gangs are in control. The prime minister flew to Kenya last month to ask for international assistance, and during his departure the gangs worked together to shut down the airport, barring him from returning.
Families in Haiti are suffering. Food and water are hard to get. Schools are closed.
Watch this video from our Country Representative, filmed over the weekend.
The families of Child Hope remain safe, but you can make sure they are getting their basic needs met.
Will you please make a gift today? It’s important to act soon. Haitian families are under immense strain today, and they could really use your help.
March 5, 2024
Currently the country of Haiti has declared a national emergency and is under a curfew in Port Au Prince as police and gangs fight throughout the city.
Last week Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry went to Kenya to try to broker a deal for international support. The UN approved a multinational security mission last fall and Kenya has agreed to lead it, but there have been delays.
During his departure, powerful gangs aligned themselves to work together to overthrow the government – including the Prime Minister, the head of National Police and any acting government officials. Multiple police stations have been ransacked and burned. Two prison breaks freed nearly 4,000 prisoners over the weekend. Order is eroding as gangs take further control.
WATCH BBC Story about the prison break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbyif0qamBs
Much of our staff and the families we serve continue to lay low and stay in their homes, praying for solutions and protection. We are asking for additional consistent prayer for our staff, families and partners in Haiti.
Please pray with us.
- Pray for quick resolution towards peace.
- Pray for wisdom for staff as they assess needs for Child Hope families. If you are a family sponsor, pray specifically for your family.
- Pray for peace in the midst of high stress. Gunfire is a constant right now throughout the city. Pray Psalm 91.
- Pray for protection over innocent lives. Two staff members have had to relocate and flee their homes in the last 24 hours.
In the coming hours and days, we will have a stronger assessment of what the needs are. Thank you for joining us in prayer!