Hi everyone,
Last year in May we sent a picture of a little history of our nutrition programs. Recently we were talking about these programs, how much good they do and how they benefit the kids. We thought of something we had not though of before: we are now in the second generation of kids attending them.
As with the schools, once a child finishes the 6th grade, they either drop out of further schooling or attend a school that has higher grades than we can provide. Its pretty much the same with the nutrition programs; once they are that old they move on. Something many may not think of is the fact some kids in the 6th grade, may be 16 or 17 years old. This isn’t because they can’t pass but because they have not been able to start school when most kids do. In “our” villages, we try to get kids in school when they are 5. Then they are ready for the first grade and we can also get them in the feeding program, started on vitamins and keeping track of their health, much as we do with out own kids in the U.S.
Something else you may not know is all childhood diseases are reported to the Ministry of Health, as are other diseases, such as cholera. It isn’t a perfect system by any means, but it helps them keep track of where and when these diseases are making kids or adults sick.
We know you have seen a picture of beans and rice … maybe too many times. But each year, at the the start of summer, we think back to the beginnings of this. We feel it is something we need to keep fresh in our minds and how important this is in the life of a child in Haiti.
Who knows how many have passed through programs like this? We sure have no idea, especially when you count in those who come to eat after tropical storms, hurricanes and certainly after the earthquake.
Thank you for all you do to help with programs like this, prayers for Terry, and helping our friends in Haiti.
One area of Haiti I’m not sure we have talked much about is Cite Soleil — City of Sun, or Sun city, depending on your French. It was originally named Cite Simone after Haiti’s then First Lady Simone Duvalier.
According to USAID, half the houses are made of cement with tin roofs and the other half of scavenged materials. An estimated 75% are lacking even a latrine. At one time in the early 2000’s Haitian Police or the UN would not go very far into the area because they would be attacked. Most of the residents are children or young adults. The mortality rate is much higher from disease and violence. Most children have no idea what a normal childhood is. It’s worth noting that Cite Soleil covers less than 10 miles and it is estimated there are over 30,000 people per square mile.
It wasn’t always this way; at one point we held clinic there in a small school every Saturday, checking kids first then adults. We never had a problem; in fact we were always made to feel “at home,” and never once felt as if we were in danger.
