Haiti
The Country Of Haiti
Haiti is described by the U.N. as one of the most degraded countries in the world.Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with a life expectancy of 49 years, unemployment 70%. Less than 1% of Haitians has a post secondary education, and the literacy rate is 35%. They need our help now.
Haiti ranks last in the UN’s Water Poverty Index. 80% of all disease in Haiti is water-borne. Almost 1/3 of Haitians have no access to safe drinking water, resulting in disease and a high death rate for children. The best preventative health measure is to provide potable water.
Our Work in Haiti
Kootenay Christian Fellowship has partnered with Haiti ARISE in Grand Goave. In January of 2010, a team from Nelson went to Grand Goave to work on projects such as building a wall to home a goat farm, drilling a well, and working with the Haitian people directly. The team was made up of 17 high school students, one teacher and two parents from Mount Sentinel Secondary School, three members from Kootenay Christian Fellowship and one member from Kootenay Lake Community Church. The very day they arrived, the first earthquake struck. The team was changed forever. After the returned to Canada, they poured their hearts and energy into raising funds to help the country of Haiti recover from the tragic earthquakes.
Some of the team members even returned to Haiti in August 2010 to continue their work in Grand Goave. This team participated in a food distribution program, built a playground, worked with children doing play-therapy, taught proper hygiene practices, and hosted church services for the local Haitians. The team accomplished everything they set out to do and were thrilled to be a blessing to Haiti.
To see photos from our August trip please click the following link August 2010 Haiti Photos
In March of 2011, we will be leading another team to Haiti. They will continue to work with Haiti ARISE, specifically with the EACHone BUILDone project, a partnership between Kootenay Christian Fellowship and Haiti ARISE to build 1000 homes in Haiti in 2011. to find out more about EACHone BUILDone, please visit our page on this website or our EACHone BUILDone Website
Ongoing Missions with Haiti
Haiti ARISE has been working hard to meet the emergent needs of the community of Grand-Goave. One of their most recent projects is developing an elementary school for Kindergarden to grade 4. In Haiti, the school system is not free, so only families with money can afford to send their children to school. The school Haiti ARISE is developing will be free of charge, allowing the poorer children to receive an education.
We want to encourage you to continue giving as sustainable support will be necessary to accomplish the rebuilding efforts. Please continue to keep the team and staff in Haiti in your prayers. Also please pray that the specific professionals needed to help rebuild Haiti Arise, will also come on board.
Kootenay Christian Fellowship is accepting donations for Haiti Arise. You may donate at the church office, or through our secure Paypal account. All money donated will go directly to Haiti Arise. Please click on the button below to donate.
To read more about Haiti ARISE's work in Grand Goave, click the following link: Haiti ARISE
