Updates from Haiti.
September 2022
School distribution was a success! We had more than 2,700 kids receive school supplies for the year.
This past month, several Embrace team members had the opportunity to connect with the Embrace students in our sponsorship program at the school distribution event in Haiti. Each year, every student in the Mission Haiti sponsorship program gets to pick up their backpacks, school supplies, shoes, and books. This year, because of your generosity, we were able to invite more than 2,700 students to this week-long distribution event. A small team of eight volunteers went to Haiti to help with distribution. It was such an incredible opportunity to meet the kids, as well as meet the staff and volunteers that help make this work in Haiti possible.
One of the highlights of the trip was being able to tell the kids about their sponsor families. In order to keep the distribution process running as smoothly as possible, we set up different classrooms in an assembly line that the students passed through to receive their supplies. The final station of the assembly line was the opportunity for the student to read a letter or receive a gift from their sponsor. This was such a cool experience to be able to share with the students a glimpse into the lives of their sponsors.
The number one goal for the week: make sure every student felt special, whether they were first in line or 400th in line. Students may not remember what they received from distribution, but they will always remember how they felt during it. Some of these kids walked two hours one way up or down a mountain to receive the items that make their education possible. This was a constant reminder when volunteers began to think about how hot it was or got frustrated with how long it took them to pick out shoes. We reminded ourselves of the hurdles that these kids face in order to just make it to school every day, and began to appreciate the work we were doing. We are so proud of everyone who helped make this possible.
During the week in Haiti, volunteers had the opportunity to not only help with distribution, but also see many of the other projects we have been working on. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we share more about the impact you are making as a church!
August 2022
Teachers have signed contracts, and the school year is starting. Plus, photos of completed construction projects!
We are so excited to share that the Madame Pierre School construction is complete! Painting and final touches are done, and we are ready to welcome kids this fall. Because of your continued generosity, the Madame Pierre school not only provides a stable environment for kids to learn and grow, but also provides a steady source of income for eighteen teachers and their families. Thank you for making a difference, Embrace!
Along with the eighteen teachers at Madame Pierre, Embrace is also supporting six full-time teachers at Ambrase Gaspard and thirty-five full-time teachers at Ambrase Jabouin. Join us in praying for each of these teachers as they prepare to go back to school. We would not be able to support the children of Haiti without their support and dedication!
May 2022
Shoe drive update, construction plans, and what’s next for Mission Haiti.
Madame Pierre Embrase School
This Mission-Haiti-operated school is partnered with Embrace Church. Madame Pierre is the newest addition to Mission-Haiti operations, built in 2019. This school was built in a rural area to reach more students living in the mountain area. Students that once had a 2-hour commute by foot to school each morning now have a school closer to home. The land for this school was donated by a member of the community because of how eager this community was for a school. Not only is the Madame Pierre School getting an expansion- meaning more teacher jobs available and more students able to attend school, but during the construction period, it employed 37 full-time positions and an additional 30 part-time positions. This means a consistent source of income for so many families that help them put food on the table, finish their own construction project, start a business, or put money away for a rainy day.
Jabouin Embrase School
Mission-Haiti has been operating this school since 2012. With the support and funding from Embrace, this school that once met in a house now has a fully functioning school building including a cafeteria, kitchen, and school office.
Summer 2022 Update: During the 2021-2022 school year 297 students attended Jabouin Embrase School and 143 attended the Madame Pierre Embrase School.
Shoe Drive Update
The barrels full of shoes have successfully been shipped! We cannot thank you enough for pulling through to get a pair of shoes on each student in our program this year. Shoes will be handed out at distribution in August, so be on the lookout for updates. Until then, prayers are needed for a successful shipment across the sea and ease of retrieval from customs.
What’s Next For Mission Haiti
The end of the school year is wrapping up in the next couple weeks. Please be in prayer for the students of these schools to finish strong. Be on the lookout for updated information and photos of your sponsor students coming soon.