Project 065 - Haitian Food Programme

Dear Friends,

We do care about the situation in Haiti and we believe you care also. Therefore, we have pleasure in reproducing an article by Dr Max Lange the President of 'Childcare International' in Bellingham USA with whom Siloam Christian Ministries is in partnership overseas.

Mummy, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?" asked Darline, the little girl in the yellow dress.
"Why are we standing in line and why are there so many people?"
"We want to sign up for food," explained her mother.
"Can we take it home?"
"Yes, but not today."
"Why not? ---
"I am hungry today."
"I know," said her mother,
"but today we just have to give our name to be sure to get it when we come back. We have to be sure our names are written down in the book." --- "Ohhh..."

Darline didn't really understand. She only knew her mother seemed to know that things were all right. There were so many people, other children, mums and also older folk, many of them on crutches. They all wanted food.

Darline lives with her mother and her baby brother in an abandoned warehouse not far from the 'Childcare International' office. She has never lived anywhere else and therefore doesn't appreciate how pathetic the place really is.

Later on during the day, we were able to visit the converted warehouse where Darline lives. It is a two-storey concrete building with no windows, just some air holes here and there, which make it possible for dim light to filter through to the indoor slum. There are corrugated iron sheets instead of walls dividing very small living quarters. This is where hundreds of people live and where their children grow up. It is hot and sticky. There is an indefinable smell.

Within seconds, more and more people emerged from nowhere. They just stood there and looked at us. I felt uncomfortable because I was not hungry. I had a nice house and decent clothes to wear. I also knew I would have enough food tomorrow and the day after that. These people don't. This is especially the case for those who are not yet enrolled in 'Childcare International's' food programme. I also thought of our own unlimited water supply. We just need to turn on the tap. This warehouse doesn't have water, electricity, a sewer system or even a simple lavatory! Suddenly I felt guilty even though none of this was my fault. I felt even worse taking photos, but I had to. This was the only way of bringing some relief to these children and their mothers - by publicising their pathetic plight.

"We do need a toilet," one of the women said softly.

"Is there possibly a way, you could help us?"

I could see her point. A simple necessity. They didn't ask for nice furniture, shoes, clothing or toys, just a simple toilet. What could I say? Actually, our first priority was to enrol as many people as possible in our Family Feeding Programme and I realised there may be more families than we were able to accommodate. Talking to these women was another encounter with hopelessness. I couldn't promise anything. I only promised to try.

We were ready to leave. Carefully we made our way down the uneven steps in the rather dark stairway towards the light that shone brightly through the entrance. What we were leaving behind was utter hopelessness. With heavy hearts, we tried leaving smiles and friendly words behind, that were meant to show that we cared.

The 'Childcare International's' Family Feeding Programme operates five days a week, a group of carefully selected needy people are coming every week. There used to be only mothers with children, but now there are old folk and handicapped people as well.

Things have changed for the worse in Haiti. Because of political instability and lack of economic development programmes, there is no export and there are no foreign investments that could benefit the poor. Corruption is rampant, fuelled by widespread drug trafficking by the elite. The rich get richer while the poor get even poorer. There is hopelessness that seems to hang like a dark cloud over the whole country.

Haiti has reached a point where the first priority in most people's lives is simply to survive. Therefore, 'Childcare International's' food programme literally means Food for Life for many people.

The programme is a welcome break from the dreary life of the poor. The people love coming. Besides receiving their allocated rations, it is a place where they can meet new friends, share family news as well as problems. They also learn about the impact that a relationship with Jesus Christ can have on their personal lives regardless of how bleak their situation may be.

Henoc Pierre, Director of 'Childcare International's' Haitian ministries, reported about a special meeting last Christmas just for about 200 people who were enrolled then. They were so eager to come that most of them arrived an hour early. The time was filled with singing, personal testimonies, an encouraging message from Henoc, a good meal and the distribution of small gifts such as personal hygiene items.

In their testimonies, a number of people declared over and over how much the C.C.I programme is helping them. Others added how their decision to follow Jesus Christ helps them cope with their daily challenges. A man who arrived on crutches, told the crowd how he had learned the importance of sharing, and a blind man explained how the programme was "his life."

If all these people who come to the feeding programme were able, they would surely send a personal message to people like you who make it possible that they have food to eat. However, because this is not possible, our Director Henoc Pierre did it for them:

"My dear Friends, I cannot thank you enough for your support. You make a tremendous difference in the lives of people, who sometimes are about to give up. This programme gives them courage to face each day with renewed strength as they receive food to survive and as they try to follow Jesus Christ. We pray for you and will continue to do so." - May God always bless you! Henoc Pierre

May God always bless you! What more can I say - just pray before you make out your cheque to: Siloam Christian Ministries.

Yours sincerely on behalf of Dr Max Lange, President C.C.I

Richard Norton Director-Siloam UK

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