On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 earthquake shook the country of Haiti. It is recorded as one of the deadliest natural disasters in history with an estimated 316,000 deaths (total population of Haiti in 2009 was 10 million). An additional 1.5 million instantly became homeless as buildings across the country were reduced to rubble.
Board Member Brooke James worked as a nurse for Child Hope International at the time of the earthquake. It is a day she and everyone in Haiti will never forget. “The shaking was so jarring it literally knocked me off my feet,” she remembers. Finding that the hospital was overcrowded, the magnitude of the event quickly became apparent. In the ensuing week, she described how the orphanage transformed into a triage center, where everything from minor stitches to amputations were performed. Why did people seek refuge and help at Child Hope? “We had a few outreach programs, so people in the community knew they could turn to us for help.” Brooke also said she was so moved by the way the children of the orphanage offered help. They assisted an elderly person trapped inside her home, gave freely of their time in any way they could help for those receiving medical attention, and truly embodied what it means to be the hands and feet of God.
After January 12, the nation of Haiti banded together supporting one another in any way possible. Not only that, there was also an outpouring of support from the international community. Promises were made to rebuild the country. There was hope that Haiti would be even stronger in the years following this harrowing trial.
Now, 10 years later, much of that hope has petered out. Aid money has been mismanaged (and possibly embezzled), foreign investment opportunities are seen as too risky, and so the international community has in many regards given up on Haiti.
At Child Hope International, we are not giving up. We won’t give up because God is moving through this ministry, transforming lives. The impact may seem like a drop in the bucket, but for the children and families we get to work with, their lives are forever changed. And that is what moves us forward despite the hardships and obstacles.
Brooke, now a board member for Child Hope International, shares why she’s remained committed. “I was part of that community. I saw firsthand what it means to love and support your community in the midst of hardship and difficulty. Now I’m back in the US, but I know Child Hope is still working at that community level.” Over the years Child Hope has moved out of the post-earthquake disaster relief role. The work now is more about community development. “Yes, development work is harder to measure than disaster relief work, and yes, it will take a long time (due to Haiti’s history of hardship and political exploitation), but this work has the potential to make an even greater impact (than disaster relief alone). We aren’t just helping folks temporarily, we’re investing in them long-term, and equipping them so that they can thrive in their families and communities.”
If you would like to be involved in the transformational work of supporting children and families in Haiti, partner with Child Hope International. Become a Hope Partner or make a one-time gift today. This nation is filled with strong, courageous, loving people who need your support.
To learn more about our programs, visit www.childhope.org/our-work