What Fridays Meant to Haiti’s Children This Summer
When the school year ends in Haiti, many children lose access to the reliable daily meal they receive at school. During the summer, dependable food can be difficult for families to find. That is why the hot meal served each Friday through our Summer Lunch and Vacation Bible School program was so important—and so eagerly anticipated.
The meal brought children back to school for Bible lessons, games, art, sports, and time with friends. According to their teachers, these Fridays gave children something joyful to look forward to throughout the summer.
A Place to Learn, Play, and Belong
Mrs. Mentor, a first-grade teacher, saw children growing spiritually, physically, intellectually, and socially. “Children learn while they play,” she explained. Bible lessons helped them learn about God, while games and sports kept them active. Other activities helped them discover new abilities, share with others, communicate, and build relationships.
Fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Jeanty saw children gaining confidence. “The children begin to overcome their shyness,” she said. Children who had once been afraid to speak in front of others began to express themselves and participate. Fridays gave them a safe, welcoming place to try.
A Place to Grow in Faith
At the heart of each Friday was the opportunity to point children toward Christ. Marcul Junior Pierre, a Bible teacher at Delmas Christian School, described VBS as a way to develop character and help children recognize how God can work through their lives.
“We want to help children bring out everything God has placed within them.”
Week after week, children heard God’s Word and learned about faith, character, responsibility, and how their choices affect others. The goal was not simply for them to remember a lesson, but for biblical truths to shape the way they live.
Thank You for Making Fridays Possible
This summer’s Lunch and VBS program was a wonderful success because so many people invested in Haiti’s children. Mrs. Mentor offered a reminder of why this matters: “When you invest in a child, they are the future of the country.”
A child was fed. A Bible was opened. A game began. A friendship grew. A shy child found her voice. A teacher saw potential. Seeds of faith were planted.