What's New - Haiti Outreach Ministries

Spring 2007:

All of the schools were in session for the complete 2006-2007 school year. The rising 7th graders are now waiting for national exam results in order to see where they can attend next year. The lower grades have completed the school year and are on summer break until September.

Blanchard

New water and solar electric systems. Thanks to the contributions and efforts of a couple of U.S. churches, a U.S. team installed solar panels and associated components to bring the compound onto a solar electric system. HOM is adding panels to the ‘panel farm’ as the need and opportunity present. The electricity enabled the installation of a submersible pump in the deep well. With that water testing pure we pump it to rooftop tanks and have a gravity feed water system supplying the various sites in the compound!
Clinic. The FHM-operated clinic has been a real success story. With the arrival of the electricity system the clinic added computers (for databases) and a refrigerator (for vaccines and antibiotics). It operates each weekday and provides excellent medical care for the community. Several U.S. groups have come down and worked there for one week periods, integrating their efforts under the Haitian medical team.
School Facilities. Thanks to the lead of another U.S. team, the second floor for the 2006 constructed school building is in progress, with its ceiling poured at the end of June. We are praying for this project to complete sometime during the 2007-2008 school year.
Vocational training building. Thanks to other U.S. teams and the proceeds from church yard sales, we have built a 4 room vocational training building. We expect it to be ready for use in September 2007. In addition to the building, the project is adding an additional 4 solar panels and batteries to the electric system.

Ibo Beach

The church building – housing most of the school on the ground floor and the sanctuary on the 2nd floor – is complete. Funds are in hand to begin partitioning the ground floor in order to improve the school arrangements. We expect to continue these school area enhancements into the new school year. Our goal is to provide adequate partitioning and to provide new student desks.

Repatriote

The security wall is progressing, with the perimeter completion expected this summer. We will add another 2-4’ to the top of the wall as the opportunity presents.
We are praying for funds to drill a deep well here.

Cite Soleil

With gang warfare largely stopped by the UN and Haitian police, the facilities here are seeing a slow increase in use. The congregation is slowly rebuilding and we now plan to reopen the HOM-operated clinic late this summer.
We pray for resources to allow us to add an inverter and battery pool so that we can operate the generator for short periods to charge the batteries, then use low levels of electricity for the clinic. If we are able to do this we will add a computer and refrigerator to this facility.

Team visits

U.S. teams renewed their visits during the winter. We are now scheduling teams for the remainder of 2007 and for 2008. We are able to host up to two teams concurrently. Come!

Near term plans

We expect to complete the current projects, including those at Ibo Beach, during 2007-2008. An unknown is whether we will be required by the Haitian government to expand the school system to include grades 7-9. If so, we will likely embark on a third floor to the original Blanchard school building. The timing of that effort is dependent on what the government requirements end up being.

Fall 2006:

Through Providence, the courage of the Haitian staff and students, and continued support from U.S. donors, the 2005-2006 school year was successful, with no time lost from classes. The construction of a new, second school building’s first floor (begun in June and completed in August!) at Blanchard accommodated the growth in the student body for the 2006-2007 school year. Summer retreats were held for the 5th-6th graders, the secondary students, and the staff.

The Repatriote church sanctuary was built in time to conduct worship services in it beginning in August. There are about 150-200 worshippers weekly. We expect this church to experience growth similar to that of the Blanchard church.

Family Health Ministries completed construction of the Blanchard clinic first floor and began assembling the staff to open it in December 2006. The Blanchard community continues to grow, with the church consistently full of worshippers each weekend.

The 2nd floor of the Ibo Beach church was completed in the late summer.

Fall 2005:

By God’s grace and the assistance of U.S. donors, HOM was prepared for the unplanned shift of the principal primary school to Blanchard in September. Using the school’s newly completed 2nd floor plus all of the other available space in the primary school and in the compound, all grades are accommodated. This 2nd floor project was begun early in 2005, hosted a medical clinic visit in April 2005 (when it was only partially completed!), and ready for full use in September. There are 368 students enrolled in this school, with enrollment of over 440 expected for the 2006-2007 school year. With the growth of the education program, HOM determined it was time to transition from stand alone schools to a school system. This was effected beginning with the 2005-2006 school year and will help HOM achieve better standardization across the schools. There are a total of 714 students in the Cite Soleil, Blanchard and Ibo Beach primary schools. There are 140 students on HOM scholarships in area secondary schools.

The Blanchard sanctuary was expanded again in early 2005, with space now for 1200 worshippers.

Family Health Ministries began Blanchard clinic construction in early 2005, with completion expected in early 2006.

Land adjacent to the Blanchard compound was purchased and a security wall built in anticipation of the planned vocational school. HOM is considering this as a 2007 project and may ultimately make this a combined high school/vocational school project. For the present the land serves as a primary school recreation area.

The second floor of the Ibo Beach building remains incomplete. School classes are split between the first floor and a temporary facility nearby.

The new Cite Soleil sanctuary was completed in time for Easter 2004 and held 3000 worshippers for that service. Unfortunately, the violence in Cite Soleil has reduced the population there and the congregation and its worship attendance are slowly returning to normal.

The Repatriote sanctuary was begun in early 2005 and will be complete in time for Easter 2006. View Repatriote brochure (PDF file opens in new window.)

The 6th graders held their annual retreat in Spring 2005. It was determined that the secondary student (“continuing education”) retreat will be held bi-annually.

By the grace of God and through the donations of dozens of groups and individuals, HOM was able to held dozens of individuals and families displaced by the violence in Cite Soleil. Many of these were people who fled the area for their lives when threatened by the encroaching gangs. Others were families who simply found that living in a war zone, complete with daily gunfire, was impossible. Many were forced to flee with only the clothes on their backs. HOM provided emergency assistance, including food and lodging, as these Haitians restored their lives.

Repatriote. When the Dominican Republic expelled most Haitian émigrés the government of Port au Prince selected this area as a potential neighborhood for them. At the request of the community leadership HOM has committed to this ministry. Sanctuary construction was begun in mid-2005 and is expected to be ready for use for Easter 2006. Additional adjacent land was purchased in late 2005 to accommodate a future school and clinic.

Bon Repos and Carrefour Marin. These areas outside Port au Prince are similar to Blanchard and Repatriote and are the next neighborhoods. HOM is praying for guidance for church plantings.

February 2005:

Haiti has experienced difficult times during the past several months. Heavy rains in mid-2004 resulted in catastrophic flooding due to the general denuding of Haiti’s hillsides (about 90% of the watersheds lake effective vegetation cover). Although this most immediately impacted the Arbonite agricultural area north of Port au Prince, the indirect effects are still being felt with a reduced domestic food supply and higher prices. Civil unrest continued as political unrest too often has found linkage to common criminal unrest. With the interim government hard pressed to exercise effective security in the country, too often local gangs have taken advantage of circumstances to exercise gang control of the people. This has been largely the case in the areas of Port au Prince such as Cite Soleil. During early 2005 UN forces entered these gang controlled areas and have endeavored to curb the violence in them. Of the areas served by HOM, Cite Soleil was most impacted. Blanchard and Ibo Beach have not felt significant direct impact from the unrest.

Despite the unrest in Cite Soleil, the primary school has continued in session. The 2003-2004 school year was completed in June, the 2004-2005 school year began on time in September and is ongoing. All classes are in place at each of the primary schools (Cite Soleil, Blanchard, Ibo Beach). Continuing education students are in session, as are HOM first secondary graduates, now on HOM scholarships at Haitian colleges.

Short term mission team visits resumed in February. With Cite Soleil still not at ‘normal’, most of the focus of the visits is at Blanchard and Ibo Beach. We monitor the situtation constantly to ensure that teams are in safe environments.

The Cite Soleil medical clinic is back in operation, with both staff and medical supplies on hand.

Facilities.

the Blanchard sanctuary expansion to accommodate 900 worshippers is complete. Benches are being built to provide seating.
the Blanchard clinic is under construction, with the U.S. sponsor (Family Health Ministry) continuing to raise funds to complete the building.
the second floor of the Blanchard school is under construction, with completion expected late Spring 2005.
Fund raising for the initial phase of the vocational school is ongoing, with a little more than 50% of the needed funds in hand.
Other projects on hold pending additional resources are the second floor of the Ibo Beach church/school building and additional space adjacent to the Cite Soleil sanctuary.

Other 2005 Plans: Summer teacher training workshop (to be conducted by visiting U.S. team)

Spring 2004:

Praise the Lord! The new Cite Soleil sanctuary was dedicated on Easter Sunday, with over 3600 worshippers gathered inside and outside for worship. Finish work is continuing on the building and will do so for the next few weeks.

The first ever Continuing Ed student retreat, originally planned for January, was conducted in early April, with 77 of the students attending the overnight event conducted at the Global Ministries campus near Ibo Beach. This was a timely opportunity for the students to be mentored by the Cite Soleil staff. The support of all who donated for this event is greatly appreciated.

HOM schools are in session and all other ministry activities are ongoing. We expect that mission group trips will resume this quarter.

Thanks to the giving of many individuals and churches, we have been able to continue the Food for Volunteer work program. This provides a daily meal to the volunteer workers. This will continue, focused on completing the new sanctuary. When that project completes we will shift efforts to other work projects as long as the need continues and the resources are available. Please consider giving to the Volunteer Work Project fund - this will provide continued funding for meals for the volunteers and will also cover materials expenses as we transition from planned efforts to emergent tasks beyond HOM's original budget. With the local economy still in turmoil, the positive impact of the work provided by these projects is tremendous.

January-February 2004:

Unrest in Haiti. With the political problems in Haiti the need for the presence of the Spirit of God among the people and the work of the Church to help them is underscored. Worship and studies are being held, schools are in session, student meals are being provided, and the Haitian clinic is providing medical services. Groups traveled to Haiti throughout January and early February. Pray for the people and country of Haiti!

Winter 2003-2004:

Cite Soleil

Remember the razing of hundreds of homes near the church when the government sold the land to a developer? Just under 200 of those families have been helped by your donations!
The church wall, torn down as part of the razing, has been rebuilt.

The new church has been built, pews made, floor poured and wiring installed. It will more comfortably seat the congregation in a built-for-the-tropics structure. The inaugural service will be on Easter, but prayer services are being held in it now.
The second floor of the cafeteria building has been completed, allowing the first floor to be used as an eating area for the students (no longer do they need to eat in their classrooms!). As well, the second floor has added classrooms for the 5th and 6th grades, a library and a computer lab.
The latrines have been replaced with flush toilet restrooms.
385 students are enrolled in preK-6th grades, including 16 6th graders who will go on to secondary education after they graduate in the Spring.

Blanchard/Terre Noire

The first year of classes is going well in the school, with 52 students enrolled in pre-K and kindergarten. We expect at least the same number to be added next year.

The second floor of the school is under construction and will be completed this Spring. This will provide sufficient room for the school’s projected growth over the next several years.
The 600 capacity sanctuary is full every Sunday and we are planning its expansion to at least 800 capacity during the next year.

Ibo Beach

The first floor of the new church building is complete and the second floor will be constructed this Spring. Most of the school’s classes have moved back into the church, with the remainder still out in the outlying borrowed building. Completion of the 2nd floor will accommodate all of the classes.

Over 250 students are enrolled in pre-K through 6.
A visiting team manufactured HOM-designed furniture which serve as either pews or school desks. Moving a couple of bolts and rotating the back/top allows this dual use.

Other news

Over 20 mission teams are planning to come to HOM sites during 2004, including 6 medical teams.
Plans are in progress for another church planting in 2005!

Spring 2003:

A Taiwanese developer obtained government permission to develop a portion of Cite Soleil. This resulted in demolishing over 600 homes on the ocean side of the church plus taking about 25' of the church sanctuary and the church wall. The government has paid for rebuilding the wall, but we are dealing with helping those displaced from their homes and rearranging the compound. Immediate needs exist for both projects: (1) helping the displaced and (2) rebuilding the sanctuary. For more on the sanctuary plans, see the vision page.

In 2003:

- Over 2700 worshippers each week at the churches at Cite Soleil, Ibo Beach (Source Matelas), and Blanchard (Terre Noire).
- Approx 375 primary students in pre-K through 6 at Cite Soleil and 217 primary students at Ibo Beach. Approx 107 secondary students, graduates of Cite Soleil, are sponsored in area secondary schools. 40-60 students will start the new school at Terre Noire/Blanchard in Fall 2003.
- The completion of the church building at Ibo Beach. Dieu merci this project is advancing well, with substantial construction completed. There's a photo below showing the status of work as of the end of March 2003. The first floor roof has been poured and the building is in service!
- The construction of a second floor for the Cite Soleil cafeteria building. This project is complete, with 4 rooms added to the school - 2 classrooms, a library and an A/V room.
- The construction of a new school building at Blanchard and the completion of the Christian Education/Admin building (which will be used for the primary school classes in Fall 2003). The Blanchard efforts have been substantially advanced, with the basic construction of the new school complete. There's a photo below of the new school building as of the end of March 2003. The finishing work is ongoing.

- Over 17 church mission trips from sponsoring churches in the U.S. These trips include medical clinics, VBS, a workshop for the teachers at Cite Soleil and Ibo Beach, carpentry, major building construction, evangelism, and home construction.
- The expansion of the sponsorship program to the new Blanchard students.
- In January 2003 we learned - on very short notice - that the Haitian government was about to widen the road in front of the church at Cite Soleil. Though we knew that such general thoughts were about, the decision to bulldoze about 600 homes and take the front 20' of the church sanctuary and compound immediately came as a shock. There are two photos below showing the new wall (built before the old one comes down) and the wider street. HOM is working to help the 600 households displaced and to begin the process of moving the sanctuary deeper into the compound. For the time being the original sanctuary has been patched and used for worship services. The local church leaders have asked that a new sanctuary, better designed than the original temporary-became-permanent one, be built. This project has been started, with the foundation and wall pillars in place. The roof trusses and steel roof are funded and will be in place this summer. If you would like to help with the displaced families, donations are gratefully accepted - just add a memo indicating the purpose. If you would like to help with either the new sanctuary, the same applies. God bless!

During 1999-2002:

- Construction projects completed: Cafeteria (1st floor), medical clinic, second school building, sanctuary expansion into former classrooms, new pantry and food preparation area.
- Expansion of the primary school to include two pre-K classes to better prepare the children for academic success.
- 600 person capacity sanctuary at Blanchard.
- Expansion of the new clinic to provide complete offices, examination, lab, and pharmacy spaces for the daily clinic staffed by local Haitian medical personnel.