To be able to glimpse into the future envisioned by Mission of Hope, you have to start by understanding the vision, resolutions and principle tenets that they have adopted. I am going to paraphrase it here for the purpose of context for my trip to Haiti, but if you would like to read more about MOH and their vision, you can see it here: Mission of Hope Haiti - Vision and Resolution
Their vision statement is relatively simple, “As an organization following Jesus Christ, we exist to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti.” Mission of Hope was established in 1998 as a small mission, reaching into the surrounding community. What became most evident at the start was the need for better education for the children in Haiti. In 2010, the literacy rate in Haiti was 45%. This is a tragically low percentage especially if you consider the fact that Haiti has a relatively young population. Sadly, only 50% of kids from rural villages, like those around Mission of Hope, will attend school. With unemployment somewhere between 85 – 90%, and 80% of the population living in abject poverty, it is clear that educating a new generation is vital to the nation’s survival.
Within a few days of starting the school at MOH, it became clear that nutrition was going to be key to success. Children were coming into class with red tinged hair and bloated bellies, both indications of malnutrition. They were having difficulty focusing in class, or would become ill, to the point of passing out. So in order for Mission of Hope to provide good education, by necessity, they also needed to address nutrition. Mission of Hope purchased a peanut grinder and hired a Haitian woman to churn out peanut butter that was put on bread for the children to have a good lunch. Within days, children were able to focus more. Over time, the bloated bellies and red hair subsided, and the overall health of the children was beginning to be restored.
But bringing kids into a school and providing at least one good meal wasn’t going to be enough if they were sending these kids home everyday, back into homes that were breeding grounds for disease and infection. Educating communities on personal hygiene, and providing basic medical care was also needed. So the mission grew to include a clinic and a community program that now includes a mobile clinic and education. The clinic at MOH was invaluable after the earthquake, and was the site of the first sterile operating rooms in Haiti after the quake. The medical missions to Haiti following the earthquake was also the beginning of a fantastic relationship between Mission of Hope and Hill Country Bible Church Northwest.
The earthquake happened just before 5pm local time, and the epicenter of the 7.0 magnitude quake was about 15 miles southwest of Port Au Prince. Keeping in mind that this was the strongest earthquake in the region since 1770, and that almost all of the permanent structures in PAP are made of concrete and cinderblock, paired with the timing of the quake while most people in the city were at work, the amount of falling concrete debris must have been astonishing. We aren’t talking about steel girded structures tested to withstand earthquakes like we would see in the US, these are structures designed to withstand the occasional hurricane and rainy season with high winds. The government in Haiti estimated that 3 million people needed immediate medical attention after the quake. They also estimated that 200,000 people died, though I have seen estimates far greater online from other sources.
It’s not surprising that in the days and weeks following this tragedy, amputations were required to save the lives of many, many people. Faced with losing a limb, or losing a life, the choice seems simple enough. Here is where it is important to remember that this isn’t a wealthy nation, with a high availability of quality medical care, and long term disability support. The disabled in this country are seen as being worse than useless. Disabled people are a drain on the resources of their families and there are no sterile facilities to which they can be shipped off to be cared for by someone else. It is likely that if you become disabled in Haiti, not only will you not be welcomed home by people eager to take care of you, but you are likely to become an easy target for crime. Finding work as an able-bodied, young, strong individual is difficult, for a disabled person, it is almost impossible. This is a very scary reality for many Haitians. Following the earthquake, MOH was able to set up a Prosthetics Lab within their clinic. They also have an extraordinary prosthetist that is leading this laboratory, Naoki Yao. Naoki was practicing in the Dominican Republic when the earthquake struck and was eager to help where he could.
In the lab with Naoki is a Haitian apprentice, David. Like every other facet of the vision at MOH, a principle resolution is for indigenous mobilization. In other words, how can we create a job that a Haitian can do, or how can we create a ministry that can be led by a Haitian? It is difficult to imagine another circumstance that would allow a man like David the opportunity to learn under a leader of his profession like Naoki. The benefit that a prosthetic leg offers a man, woman or child is immeasurable. Imagine being a man with a family who has lost a leg. Not only are you dealing with the physical loss of a limb, you are also dealing with the emotional toll of not being able to support your family, the financial reality of your circumstance, the fear of a grim future, on and on. Now imagine what happens when that man is fitted for a prosthetic leg; this man has not only regained mobility, but his soul is put at ease, his burden is lifted and his family now has a future he can be proud to work towards.
Mission of Hope has also expanded its vision to include orphan care. It is hard for me to fathom, but there are currently 400,000 Haitian children who are living without parents today. MOH established the Village of Hope which provides a family environment, spiritual guidance, education, and healthcare for 60 children ranging in age from infants to young adult. While it is so encouraging to see the smiling faces playing on the playground or eating in Maggie’s Kitchen at MOH, it is equally daunting to consider how much greater the need is. The kids who call Village of Hope home have bright eyes, warm hearts and big dreams.
After the earthquake, the Haitians were blessed with many NGOs that came into Haiti to help provide temporary housing while the nation rebuilds. Two years later, the blue tarps are beginning to fade and are becoming tattered. Many people are still clinging to what they have, but the move to build affordable and permanent housing has been difficult. Mission of Hope launched the MOH 500, a drive to fund and build 500 permanent homes by the end of 2012. Calling on the resolution to be an indigenous movement, Haitian labor is being used to build these homes, and the families that are placed in these homes are investing into their communities. In exchange for their investment, in 5 years they will receive the title to their properties. And it isn’t just a house with 4 walls, but land for a garden and an assortment of fruit trees like mango and plantains. The goal is to provide families with healthy food, as well provide a revenue stream by growing crops that can be sold in the market.
I would like to invite you to check out the Mission of Hope website, Mission of Hope website. There is a ton of really great information on what they are currently involved in, and what they have in the plans for the future. Their work in creating micro-businesses with women through 3 Chords, future expansion onto a land provided by the government of Haiti that will be used for Pastoral Retreat and Conference Center, trade schools and agriculture education and an expansion of their nutrition program through One Haiti is awe inspiring. Make sure you check out the vision videos as well, Mission of Hope Videos.
In my next blog entry I will dive more into the projects we worked on, and the tours we went on. Still lots of information to process through and share. Here is a link to a photo album I have on Facebook, and you don’t need a Facebook account to see the album. 2012 Haiti Mission Trip Photo Album
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