Stories of Hope | July 2024

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HAITI | GRADUATION AND EDUCATION UPDATE

Join us in celebrating the 203 students who completed their last year of high school in Haiti and are set to graduate after exams soon. Even in the midst of all the obstacles, they have accomplished a tremendous feat! We are thankful for the perseverance and protection of the education staff, administration, and students.

Much of the success of the students in our school program can be attributed to the dedication of the teachers and administrators, the commitment of parents, and the quality of the food the kids receive. School is a safe haven for these children, and every day, when a plate of food is set in front of a child, a mother’s prayers are answered.

Because of you and donors just like you, those plates of food are quite literally a bridge to a better future for these children. As the humanitarian crisis grows, we cannot highlight enough the importance of food security for the thousands of children we have the honor of serving.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
In 2009, Myrlande’s* husband left Haiti for Santiago, seeking a better life for their family. With three children to care for, life in Haiti had become increasingly difficult. For twelve long years, Myrlande and her husband were separated, their only connection through distant dreams of a better future. Finally, he made the brave decision to bring her to the Dominican Republic.

After arriving in Santiago, Myrlande found herself pregnant with their fourth child. Life remained a constant struggle, with her husband working sporadic construction jobs whenever he could find the opportunity.

One Friday, Myrlande was at a breaking point and faced a crisis—her husband was facing instability with jobs, and she did not know what to do. Her family was out of food, and she didn't even have a single piece of candy to give to her children. Desperation and fear gripped her as she wondered how she would feed her kids.

In the midst of her despair, hope arrived in the most unexpected way. Her Dominican neighbors, who regularly attended the local church, were receiving bags of groceries from their pastor, who was distributing food in the neighborhood. Seeing Myrlande standing outside, the pastor approached her and handed her a bag of food. Doubtful and hesitant, she thought there must be a mistake. But the pastor reassured her, saying, "Dios te bendiga" (God bless you). With a heart full of gratitude, Myrlande accepted the gift and returned inside, thanking the Lord for the timely provision.

As she and her husband faced uncertainty and instability, Myrlande witnessed God's provision through the kindness of a local Dominican pastor and the generosity of the Family Assistance Program. Even though she was not a member of his church, God used this pastor to meet her family's needs during a critical moment. This bag of food quite literally became a lifeline in her moment of desperation.

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Thank you for your partnership and support. It’s a privilege to serve the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic together.

Jul 18, 2024

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