The first case of COVID-19 at the end of March brought all travel to Haiti to a halt and forced schools, churches, and most businesses to close. By September, the number of cases identified was slightly above 8,300 for Haiti’s 11.4 million people, but many believe that number is much higher. In addition, hospitals are poorly equipped to provide care for the severely ill. We remain grateful that no children, staff members, or administrators in our schools have tested positive.
With children staying home, we had reports of many going hungry since they depend on the lunch that they receive at school each day. In response, we distributed rice and beans on a regular basis to all 2,201 of our sponsored children in all ten schools. This emergency relief was joyfully received and served as a reminder to our children and families that they are not forgotten, and that God provides.
In mid-August schools reopened to complete the 2019-2020 school year on October 9th. In November, they will start the 2020-2021 school year. The future is uncertain for all of us during this pandemic, and we so appreciate each of you who stand beside us as we endeavor to help the hungry and hurting that God has placed in our care.