Easter is always a special time at the Have Faith Haiti Mission – and not just because of the new spring outfits generously donated by individual sponsors. It’s a celebration of faith and renewal, of community and coming together.
Let’s start with a little fashion show, brought to you by Widley learning how to put on a tie:
Best dressed in their Easter best (but sorry, no bonnets!)
They shared a special moment releasing balloons to heaven, in remembrance of those loved and lost.
So much Easter basket fun, with thanks especially to Beaumont Health for the teddy bears, and beautiful greeting cards in Kreyol from Cardz for Kidz.
These baskets belong to our newest additions, and are their first Easter baskets.
And then the hunt began–for 400 eggs, that is. Yes. 400! Ready, set, go….
May we all be as excited as this happy bunny Manes (even before any sugar!)
Josue and Bianka found the golden eggs and were later treated to ice cream at Sugar Rush, an ice cream parlor and candy store in Pétionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince where Have Faith Haiti is located. They also showed off their moves as they posed just like the mannequins in nearby store windows.
But perhaps what they will remember the most is the Jelly Belly challenge. Weird and gross, or sweet and delicious? Who knows! But you quickly get a good idea of how they fared once you watch these answers to li bon?
Can you tell who got coconut and who got spoiled milk?
Due to safety concerns – and logistics – large group visits to the Have Faith Haiti Mission is a rare occurrence. But we were so glad to welcome a group of fifteen students from Springfield College, in Massachusetts, for an alternative spring break on a service trip in Haiti.
Choosing Port-au-Prince over Puerto Vallarta, students led by junior Kristen Madeia, senior Jordan Pelletier, and President Mary-Beth Cooper spent time learning, reading and playing with the kids of the Mission while also working on a painting project. Madeia told The Springfield Student (newspaper), “It completely changes your perspective on the privileges we have being American and growing up in this country, specifically thinking of children …We don’t necessarily take advantage of our education and value it as much as children in Haiti do. It’s interesting how the children down there really value what they are learning. They are so excited to go to school and to tell you what they are learning in comparison to kids here, who dread going to school every day and don’t take their education seriously.”
The holiday isn’t supposed to be about presents, but it would be a lie to not admit that there’s something special watching children, who have learned to live without a lot, unwrap presents on Christmas morning.
Unfettered, uninhibited joy. Woah!
We couldn’t have moments like this without thanking sponsors and donors who, in the midst of their own holiday celebrations and preparations, donated to bring these smiles. They are: Homer and Sheri A., Carolyn A., Jeannie B., Heather B., Livia C., Francesca E., Becky F., Mark F., Pam G., Jennifer H., Vicki H., Laura H., Marybeth J., Sam and Shelia J., Kasey & Jessica J., Elise L., Amber M., Beckie N., Patti N., Ashley R., Rita R., Roz S., Karisa S., Gabrielle T., Connie V., Kathleen V., Suzanne W., Jessica W., Sarah W., and Cathy W.
Here’s to a new year, more joy, and all the blessings to come!
We believe in showing you reality, without ever indulging in what some call “disaster porn” (you know those photos of ravaged areas or starving children surrounded by flies). When we first arrived in Haiti nearly 7 years ago, we showed you what we saw as we first drove out to the Mission. When we drove into areas hit hardest by Hurricane Matthew, we showed you the reality of what our staff faced as they tried to distribute the supplies you helped fund. We show you positive photos of our children as they grow and learn because our children are happy and healthy, and it’s all because of your support.
Our newest addition is named Gaelson. He is six. An orphan, he has already endured tuberculosis and malnutrition, and was bouncing from place to place. The photo here shows him at his most dangerous health-wise in August 2016 while first receiving phenomenal care at Espwa Berlancia, a malnutrition clinic where our kids have volunteered their time.
His health remains a challenge, but he’s doing so much better. We love him and will try everything during his trial period to make our place be the last new home of his childhood.
Photos tell thousand-word stories, so they say. We’re sharing these photos because they tell a much shorter one: This is why we do what we do. We must. Thank you for helping us do it.
The Have Faith Haiti school has two treasured traditions to welcome, and wave goodbye, to each school year. An ice cream filled dance party takes place each September before the first day of school, during which students get to select their backpacks, and fill their pencil cases with necessary school basics like pencils, highlighters, and a sharpener.
At the end of the year, the last day of school is also a party. We call it a graduation, but it’s really a celebration of the academic excellence achieved through the year. Students receive certificates and honors and perform skits in French. This academic year, we added an English oral presentation class to the schedule, so the older children also has a chance to display their new skills with oral presentations in English. The assigned topic? Their teachers! They spoke eloquently and very appreciatively about their teachers and how fortunate they are to be getting a high-quality education.
The supplies and backpacks from the beginning of the year are donated annually through the back-to-school wish list from generous sponsors and supporters. We’ll be posting information about the wish list for the 2017-2018 academic year soon.
Make your check payable to “Have Faith Haiti Mission” and send to
Have Faith Haiti Mission
c/o A Hole in the Roof Foundation
29836 Telegraph Road
Southfield, MI 48034
Have Faith Haiti is operated by the A Hole in the Roof Foundation, a 501(c)(3) org (TAX ID# 27-0609504). Donations are tax deductible.
About the Mission
The Have Faith Haiti Mission is a special place of love and caring, dedicated to the safety, education, health and spiritual development of Haiti’s impoverished children and orphans. You can learn more here.
