Monday, September 16, 2013

From "En, De, Twa" to "Happy Birthday"

They each have very distinctive personalities despite their young ages.  One voice overshadows the others and appears to be a natural-born leader, we call him "The Director"; another sounds a little younger and tends to cry more easily; and still another offers comfort to those who have accidentally bumped heads on the trampoline. 

Who are these little voices that permeate our day with shouts of "Daddy" when home owner, Brian, drops by each morning; with songs of "Praise Ye The Lord" (complete with competing voices that get louder and louder) and "Happy Birthday" when it is someone's special day; with lessons of "en, de, twa" (Creole counting) and "ABC"; and even with tears of "boo boos" or "someone took my toy"? They are the ten little people living in the next door "house orphanage" ranging from 2- to 5-years-old and who remind us that each day holds something new and exciting.

Orphanages are a fact of life in many developing nations and contributing factors include national history, wars and natural disasters.  Some child care programs are designed for children who have lost their parents while others are organized to house children whose families live in extreme poverty and simply cannot afford to keep them.  Additionally, the children's homes run the gamut in what they are able to offer in the way of accommodations, food, clothing, education, health care and nurture.

Tim and I very much admire those ministries that are proactive in reaching out to young people and their families. For that reason, we thought to share with you a little about three programs we think are very good and while not residential facilities each is trying to address issues that will reduce the need for children to go into orphanages in the first place.

Of course, first on our list is our partner, CONASPEH, whose focus is on education.  Patrick Villier, his wife, Francoise, and other leaders are very aware of the need for good and affordable education and have developed a ministry in partnership with Global Ministries
that offers "classical study" (primary and secondary level) educational opportunities; a School of Nursing; a Seminary; a Vocational School and work opportunities while studying; and, most recently, a University.  Additionally, meals and scholarships for school tuition are provided for the children (and adults) as funds are available.  

Another Global Ministries partner is the House of Hope which works with "restavek" children.  These are children whose very poor families send them to live with other families who offer to educate them in exchange for help around the house.  In reality, the young people in many cases do not receive an education and are abused physically and emotionally.  The House of Hope provides an intensive educational program that permits the young people to catch up with their studies by offering a 3-year course of study that would normally take 6 years. Director, Polycarpe Joseph, also extends educational opportunities through a vocational school that includes: a school of catering with a great kitchen (we can vouch for the food which is delicious!); a hospitality course with restaurant facilities; carpentry, electrical and plumbing classes; computer classes; a sewing course; and a beauty school.

The final program is called "The Apparent Project" and while not partnered with Global Ministries it is one we like a lot.  Understanding that there are a multitude of factors that affect low-income families and their ability to provide for their children, this
ministry trains and employs parents to make beautiful handicraft and jewelry products.  As mothers and fathers are able to earn a living, the risk of not being able to feed and educate their children is minimized and children remain in their homes.  The Apparent Project also educates and cares for street children with an ultimate goal of "redeeming family situations."

The babies next door?  We delight in knowing they are well-fed, rocked and loved, educated, taught Christian values, laughed and played with and will be in homes where they will know hope and possibility.  We and our partners want the same thing for all children in Haiti and, indeed, the world.