HOF partners with Global Orphan Project in Orphan Prevention Initiative
As many have worked hard to care for the orphaned and vulnerable of Haiti, an increasing number of children with family have found themselves “orphaned.” A multitude of loving parents have willingly abandoned their children at the doorsteps of orphanages and ministries all across Haiti with the belief that their children will be provided food and education, which would otherwise not be guaranteed at home. Concern for this widespread practice has led the Haiti Orphan Foundation to seek viable solutions for orphan prevention in the Croix-des-Bouquets community and beyond. In seeking to make a difference in orphan prevention, HOF turned to our ministry partners at Global Orphan Project for consultation. We learned that GOP was launching an orphan prevention initiative through a church and local private school. The Source de la Grace School is located in the Croix-des-Bouquets community and currently has 277 students and fifteen staff.
Principal Wiggins came to the school four years ago, and since that time Source de la Grace has grown numerically and has excelled educationally. It now boasts a 100% success rate in student graduate exit exams. Principal Wiggins defines success not only by such academic achievements but by the character development of his students. He stated, “We want to prepare students to be good citizens.”
Pastor Laventure leads the local church and provides spiritual oversight to the children of Source de la Grace. Speaking of the importance of the ministry of the school program, Pastor Laventure noted, “In this region, many parents cannot afford to send their children to school.” He stressed that this program meets needs that would otherwise go unmet. Pastor Laventure’s desire is to develop children who affect change in Haiti. He stated, “That’s what we are fighting for.”
While vitally important in paving the way for the hope of a future, education is not the biggest need the program meets. In speaking of the meal initiative that is part of the school program, Amy Tenpenny (GOP staff) stated, “For most kids in this community, this is their only meal of the day.” When they eat their meal at school, most students will not eat again until that same meal the next day. This one meal is what allows desperate families to stay together. Amy stated, “Partnering with schools is keeping families together.” Something as simple as feeding one meal a day at a school is allowing nearly 300 students the opportunity to experience life with a family.
“Partnering with schools is keeping families together.”
As the physical needs of students are met, the door is opened to minister to students spiritually and teach them how to know Jesus Christ and grow in a personal relationship with him. This message and ministry is then carried home to the children’s families.
Thanks to everyone who has generously given to make this orphan prevention program possible. Know that your support is making a difference not only in the lives of hundreds of children but also hundreds of moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and siblings who would otherwise not have the joy of experiencing life as a family with their loved ones. Your support is rewriting the futures of children for generations to come.
Pathways
Next door to the Source-de-la-Grace school, Global Orphan Project has launched a trade school called Pathways for students who graduate out of high school. One of the training areas of Pathways is GO Threads. GO Threads is a two-year training program that teaches students how to sew, and works to place successful students into jobs in the workforce in Haiti. Students at GO Threads learn by sewing school uniforms for each student in every school that GOP partners with. Students that have family in the community commute to the training center each day. Those students without family are housed in a dormitory facility across the street from the training center. At HOF we are carefully studying the Pathways program of Global Orphan Project and hope to either be able to assimilate our children into this program when they graduate or offer a program with similar successful results.
