Video: School dismissal & Naika’s Christmas

Another day of learning! Walking home with hope…

10 grader, Naika’s Christmas

I live in Pele, a small neighborhood in Haiti. Every December, Christmas feels special, even though life is not always easy. The spirit of Christmas—love, music, and togetherness—is alive in our community.

At the beginning of the month, I help my family clean the house and decorate it. We use colored paper, handmade decorations, and sometimes a small tree. It’s simple, but it makes me happy.

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate Réveillon. I stay awake late with my family. We sing, dance, talk, and play music. I hear the sound of kompa and Christmas songs coming from the neighbors’ houses. For a moment, everything feels warm and joyful.

We also go to church. We pray and thank God for keeping us safe. My faith gives me strength, especially when life is hard.

At home, we share a Christmas meal. I eat rice and beans, fried chicken or turkey sauce, macaroni au gratin, salad, and sometimes sweet crémas. Even when there isn’t much, we share everything with love.

In the past, I used to visit neighbors, buy candies, and play with small fireworks. Today, things have changed. Insecurity has changed everything. Many families stay home to protect themselves. The streets are quieter, and visits are fewer. We celebrate earlier and more carefully.

Still, Christmas does not lose its meaning. There may not be many gifts, but there is laughter, prayer, and togetherness. On Christmas Day, I visit family and friends, saying softly, “Merry Christmas.”

For me, Christmas in Pele is not about expensive presents. It’s about faith, family, hope, and the strength to keep going, even when life is hard.

Chedrick's Update October 2025

“Gangs, made up largely of young people, are taking control of the country, and the government seems powerless in the face of their threats. The gangs have taken control of 80% of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. They are trying every day to conquer new areas outside the capital. All means of escape from the city are blocked, and people who take the risk to leave are often victims.

Citizens are looking for ways to survive. Many are living on the streets, with relatives, or in friends’ homes. Famine increases every day—especially for pregnant women and children.

I lived in Delmas 26, one of the areas taken over by gangs. My family and I fled to save our lives. Soon after, gangs invaded the area, killing people who stayed behind. They looted houses and burned some of them, including mine, which also served as the Young Life and Haiti Child Sponsorship office. It is decimated and no longer habitable.

We lost everything and took refuge in the Young Life office in Maissade about 3 hours north, where my wife and I now live in one small room that is used as our bedroom, living room, dining room, and other facilities. Our story feels a little like Job’s in the Bible.

Yet even in all of this, God is faithful. The Good Shepherd School—located in a neighborhood full of gangs—continues to operate normally thanks to God and it continues to serve the poor children of the area by providing them with education and food. It can be said that the school is protected by the gangs because, despite their bad faith, they still wish the best for their children, and our school is almost the only good school in the area that can provide children with access to a good education and food every day.”

Hope in Hard Days - The Story of a Dedicated Teacher

Meet Ms Chery Darline, Kindergarten Teacher

“My name is Chery Darline. I’m 27 years old, and for the past five years I’ve had the joy—and challenge—of teaching kindergarten at Baptiste Bon Berger School. Every day I’m reminded that helping little ones learn and grow is both a gift and a responsibility.”

Darline’s love for teaching began when she was a student herself. “Even then, I felt called to guide and care for children,” she says. “I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

Teaching in Haiti is not easy. Darline’s two-hour commute from Mòn Kabrit includes both public cars and motorcycles, but she doesn’t let the hardship dampen her spirit. “When I walk into my classroom and see my students’ faces, it’s all worth it,” she says.

She believes children learn best through play and discovery, and she uses creativity and patience to keep them engaged. “What fulfills me most is seeing a child gain confidence or remember something I taught them,” she shares. “That’s when I know my work matters.”

Despite the challenges, Darline stays hopeful. “I want to help raise the standard of education in Haiti,” she says. “Every child deserves a teacher who believes in them.”

Please pray for Darline.

Just a week after this interview, she was in a serious accident while traveling to school and is now in the hospital. We ask you to join us in praying for her healing, comfort, and strength—and for her students who miss her deeply.

When our own staff are hurting

Haiti’s realities continue to hit close to home.

• Our school director, Chedrick Caneus, recently lost his home and the building that served as offices for both Young Life Haiti and the school was destroyed by gangs.

• In addition to Darline, three other staff members were injured in separate car accidents in recent weeks.

• Hurricane Melissa also caused severe flooding, washed out roads, and resulted in the loss of homes, agriculture, and livestock—especially across Southern Haiti.

We are deeply grateful that the school itself was not damaged and classes continue. Our staff and students remain courageous and committed, even in the midst of instability and loss.

How to Help

PRAY

Ask God to protect our students and staff each day. Pray for Darline’s full recovery, and for peace and relief across Haiti.

GIVE

We’ve opened our Crisis Fund to help cover teachers’ medical bills and to provide food and essential supplies to families in the South devastated by Hurricane Melissa—through our trusted partner, Wooby.

SHOP “MADE IN HAITI” METAL ART

Every purchase from our Online Store supports our school and provides real income for Haitian artisans. Your shopping becomes a source of hope and stability in this season.

Summer Camp at the School

When the school year ended in June, most schools in Haiti closed their doors until October. But thanks to your faithful generosity, our campus has remained full of life. Local children continue to receive daily meals all summer long and have filled the classrooms and courtyards with laughter during summer camp—a safe place to play, learn new skills, and hear the good news of Jesus.

A Legacy of Hope: 43 years in Haiti

For more than four decades, I have had the privilege of witnessing God's faithfulness in Haiti. Through seasons of growth and hardship, I’ve seen the power of education to transform lives and the unwavering resilience of the Haitian people. Even in these uncertain times, the school remains a beacon of hope.

On my third trip to Haiti in 1982, I met Pastor Tito Caneus, who led a small church in Pele's vast, impoverished community. He shared a vision—a school for the thousands of children without access to education.

We began to build with the help of three mission teams from Florida Young Life and the Presbytery of Central Florida. At night, we slept on the church roof, with the distant beat of voodoo drums in the background, and during the day, we worked to bring this vision to life.

When the school opened, 60 children filled the classrooms, receiving an education and a daily meal. The following year, 150 students came. By the third year, that number had grown to 600.

Fast-forward 43 years, and the work continues. In 2021, our school had grown to serve 1,300 students with a dedicated staff of 42. Then, in 2022, as gangs tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince, nearly all schools in the city were forced to shut down.

Today, 575 students attend in person—those who live close enough to make the journey safely. Sadly, many remain at home, unable to risk the dangerous streets or have been forced to flee.

Because of the generosity of monthly supporters and gifts, 575 students still receive an education, a meal, and the love of Christ each day.

If you'd like to support our efforts in education, support our staff, and keep the children fed, the easiest way is to join our sponsorship program for only $30/month!

International Women's Day Celebration at the School

Our secondary school girls celebrated with a special assembly filled with inspiration and empowerment! They participated in workshops, reflected on their role in society, and heard from incredible women mentors. The day was even more fun with fun games, thoughtful gifts, and plenty of motivation for the future!

Students sing and pray for their country at school assembly

It has been a very difficult few days in Haiti as gangs have attacked new neighborhoods and forced families to flee, including some of our staff. The school called for a special assembly for the students to worship and pray. The words they sing - “If I am alive today, it is because of you. Without you Lord I am nothing. I will rise even to the heavens to worship you. Let my voice reach before the throne to restore your Kingdom.” Please join these young children crying out for justice and mercy for their country. 🇭🇹🙏🏽❤️

2024 Impact Report

Investing in the Future of Haiti

In 2024, your support and generosity made a transformative impact in Haiti. Together, we provided resources and opportunities that empowered individuals, strengthened communities, and brought hope to countless lives.

Total Dollars Invested: $327,475

Your generous Donations and impactful fundraising events like Empty Bowls and Haiti Market Shows generated the funds that fueled this mission.

Your contributions supported four critical areas:

1. School Operations: $248,627 (Donations and Profit from Haiti Market events)

   1. Ensuring 700+ students received education, meals, and hope for a brighter future.

   2. Employment of 60 staff

2. Job Creation: $22,516 (Profit from Haiti Market events)

   1. Creating sustainable livelihoods for artisans and local workers through programs that empower families.

3. Community Projects: $12,519 (Profit from Haiti Market events)

   1. Meals for special holidays, including Mother’s Day, Christmas, and Independence Day.

   2. Relief efforts for those affected by the hurricane in the South Department.

   3. Providing school supplies for displaced families, ensuring children could continue their education.

4. Young Life Camp Experiences: $21,479 (Profit from Haiti Market events)

   1. Sending 171 kids to Young Life Camp, where they experienced joy, belonging, and spiritual growth.

Our Mission in Action

Through these investments, we’ve:

• Improved access to education and daily nourishment.

• Expanded local employment opportunities, fostering self-reliance.

• Enhanced community development efforts with long-lasting benefits.

• Introduced the next generation to the life-changing love of Christ.

Thank you for partnering with us in this mission. Your generosity fuels this life-transforming work and inspires hope for Haiti’s future.

Together, we are building a brighter tomorrow in Haiti!

A Creative Solution to a Funding Shortage

Haiti remains under a State of Emergency, and the situation in Port-au-Prince is still dire. Despite the presence of Kenyan forces, violence continues to impact the civilian population. In these challenging times, the care we provide is more essential than ever.

This month, we’ve registered 979 students for the school year starting on October 1st. Although gang activity has delayed some families, we expect to reach our full capacity of 1,000 children as conditions improve.

Unfortunately, over the last several months, we’ve experienced a notable decline in donations. To continue providing meals and support, we kindly ask you to share our mission with a friend or family member.

In response to the funding shortfall, we've found a creative solution: Vita Mamba, a nutritious peanut butter supplement made in Haiti by Haitians, using locally grown peanuts.

By replacing one rice and beans meal ($0.45) with a Vita Mamba bar ($0.24) once a week, we can save $720 each month. This small change helps us continue feeding children while also supporting local Haitian farmers and jobs.

To help us meet our shortfall please consider a GIFT toward feeding kids!

Summer Days in Haiti

Despite the State of Emergency….Life goes on and “we find our strength in God to continue our work.” - Chedrick, School Director

Teachers and Young Life leaders organized a vibrant summer day camp for over 60 kids in August. Check out the pictures below to see all the fun, including delicious food, games, competitions, and a curriculum called Shine! Thanks to your support and investment in the youth of Haiti—when they thrive, the nation prospers.

Speaking of Young Life, many of our staff spent the summer working at Young Life camps across Haiti, serving 1,600 teenagers. These camps offered an incredible experience filled with fun, adventure, and the opportunity to discover God’s love for them.

There is always cheering after the final group photo and distribution of Bibles.

A heartfelt thanks for your continued support and prayers for the nation of Haiti and her people. Your support truly makes a difference!

Welcome to the New Cafeteria

For the past 42 years, we have fed the students by having each class come through our small kitchen, take a plate of food, and return to their classroom to eat. As you can imagine, this was a very slow process.

Thanks to a generous gift, we built a Food Distribution Center that accommodates 180 kids at once, greatly improving the efficiency of our meal service. The students LOVE eating and socializing with friends in the new space, as you can see from these photos taken at the Grand Opening of the Cafeteria!

Even amidst the challenges Haiti is facing, this week was one to CELEBRATE! The staff was so excited they made a banner and hung balloons. The kids eagerly waited outside, ready to enter the new space. In a country where 4.2 Million people face severe hunger, you are helping us feed children!

We are reminded of God's faithfulness and unwavering love for His people. Thank you for standing with us to support the Haitian people in their time of great need.

Haiti in Crisis | State of Emergency

The news from Haiti is heartbreaking and desperate...The country of Haiti has been under distress for several years since the President was assassinated in July 2021. But, in the past week, it has spun more out of control, particularly in the capital. Violence erupted on the streets at a new level as gang leaders are calling for the resignation of Haiti's Prime Minister, Ariel Henry. While Henry flew to Kenya to sign papers for international troops to land in Haiti, the streets of Port-au-Prince erupted. The international airport was attacked and so were prisons, resulting in 4,000+ prisoners escaping. A state of emergency was declared and is now extended through April 3. It is a very tense time and people are fearing for their lives. The small community of Pele has stayed relatively calm but all schools are closed. We plan to provide food for the community as soon as it is possible.

A note from Chedrick, School Director:

"Imagine that people call the area where I live the area of death and no one wants to come there at this time. That makes us understand the reality of Psalm 23. God is always there for our protection. Yesterday some gangs were killed in my neighborhood by police people because they were fighting against the police. It is not safe to walk in the streets because anyone can be a victim at any time.

We continue to stay very low in our home because the shotguns continue.

Keep continuing to pray for us and we continue to hope for a better tomorrow for Haiti where the love of God can reign."

Please join us in prayer

SAFETY • for the staff, teachers, and families of students as many people must hide in their homes and have to make decisions whether to stay or flee. There is no place to go because all exits of the city are blocked by gangs and the gangs seem to be systematically terrorizing neighborhoods.

NEEDS • most people in Haiti rely on "daily bread" and when the country is locked down they cannot go out for food and clean water. It is dire and people are suffering. Humanitarian aid is desperately needed.

RESOLUTION • the conflict is complex and no one seems to know the answer to what will bring resolution but we PRAY for it and hold fast to the truth that God knows all, nothing is out of his control, He is our hope, and the spirit of the Lord brings justice and freedom!

With 42 years invested in the Pele community, our commitment remains strong. We'll keep providing education, nourishing children, and sharing the hope and love of Christ with our Haitian family.

Thank you for partnering with us to stand with Haiti.

2023 Impact Report!

Our Mission: 

• We fund the operations of The Good Shepherd School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

• We support the projects of local leaders to improve living conditions in the areas of water, food, and sanitation.

• We support the work of Young Life Haiti to bring spiritual transformation to the lives of young people.

---

$303,747 Total Investment in Haiti

(Donations + Fundraising Events + Made-in-Haiti Product Sales)

$263,332 - Good Shepherd School Operations

$12,925 - Special Projects

$27,490 - Send Kids to YL Camp in Haiti

These dollars translate to

• 59 salaried employees

• 972 Kids in school

• 114,000 meals served

• 10 special projects in the community (food distribution, helping displaced families find a new home)

• 25+ artisans receiving work

THANK YOU! Thank you for your generous gifts to support the work on Haiti Child Sponsorship! Your donations make a difference in the lives of families in Haiti!

Take Action for Haiti

We want to provide you with a way you can TAKE ACTION for our friends in Haiti. The daily news from Haiti is not covering the extent of the reality in Haiti. If you would like to USE YOUR VOICE to ADVOCATE for Haiti here are some facts and resources:

Report from Haiti Health Network

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSPERSON with this LINK

SAMPLE LETTER to share (Modified from another Haiti Mission)

Dear (fill in the name of your representative),

As one of your constituents, I believe that God appoints leaders to govern nations, and I respect the stewardship of your office. Your words carry immense weight as one with significant influence in the U.S. government. I am one of thousands of Americans who support one of the estimated 10,000 NGOs and missions in Haiti. I am urging you today, to consider extending aid to the people of Haiti who are suffering from merciless acts of violence. 

Since the assassination of President Moise on July 7, 2021, Haiti has plunged into a state of disarray with no stable government in place. The absence of publicly elected officials has left the country vulnerable and effectively operating as a failed state. The surge in gang activity has been marked by horrific violence, including kidnappings, rapes, looting, and murders. This situation has forced many families to flee their homes. 

The people of Haiti do not deserve to live like this. No one does. I support military intervention, UN operation, or at least a contracted force that can help to restore order. I am not requesting the United States solve the crisis, but rather, to lend a hand in creating a peaceful environment.

As human beings, we are all created in the image of God, and it's our moral obligation to stand up for those who have been silenced. I implore you to take action and be a voice for the voiceless, to provide the Haitian people with the hope they desperately need. 

Thank you.

SHARE WITH OTHERS in your sphere of influence to do the same.

PRAY

GIVE to help us keep the school running normally and help those in need.

Songs of Praise from the Students

Recently the school celebrated its Annual Assembly where they give thanks to God, and pray for their sponsors, their teachers, their leaders, and their country. Enjoy these sweet voices led by our own graduate of the school and current administrator, Lovely.

Students sing “You give me life and you dry my eyes; you are still there. You are the faithful God. Your mercy will not end. God's compassion is new every morning, new every morning.”

2022 Impact Report

2022 was a very challenging year. Thanks to God and our generous donors and creative fundraising efforts Haiti Child Sponsorship was able to invest in our mission values throughout 2022!

Our Goal: 

• We fund the operations of The Good Shepherd School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

• We support the projects of local leaders to improve living conditions in the areas of water, food, and sanitation.

• We support the work of Young Life Haiti to bring spiritual transformation to the lives of young people.

$286,956 Total Investment to bring hope to Haiti
from General Donations + Empty Bowls + Haiti Market Goods Sales

$235,842 - Good Shepherd School Operations

• 59 teachers, administrators, cooks, and other support staff have jobs to care for their families

• 1339 students enrolled in school K - 13th grade for the first half of 2022

• 33 students celebrated a milestone in their lives - Graduating High School!!

• 159,000 meals were prepared and served up by the cooks to hungry students

$26,114 - Crisis Relief: During this current political, economic, and social crisis, we have been able to assist people

• 200+ families given food assistance

• Direct cash assistance to the teachers and staff to combat the 40% inflation rate.

• Installing solar lights in dark areas to increase security

• Medical care

$25,000 - Send kids to Young Life Summer Outreach Camp to share the love of Christ

THANK YOU!!

Your faithful, generous support made a huge difference in thousands of lives from Kindergartners to High School Graduates, Teachers, Cooks, administrators, artisans and so many more!

News from Haiti

Many of you ask where we get our news from Haiti. Of course, we receive first-hand news from the ground from our staff living and working in Haiti.

Other news sources that frequently post and we find helpful include:
The Miami Herald Haiti section
The Washington Post
BBC News/Haiti

US Institute of Peace Report 6/how-break-stalemate-haiti

Overseas, a weekly podcast by a US missionary serving in the medical field. Find Overseas on your favorite podcast app, Spotify, Apple.

Current Events:

1. Since September 12, the security situation has dramatically worsened in Haiti following a government announcement that fuel subsidies were ending. Violence, protests, roadblocks, damaged communications infrastructure, and fuel shortages pose grave operational and logistical challenges for Haiti and the organizations providing services.

2. The instability leaves people at increased risk. As employers and social services close down, families are running out of food and health care services.

3. We aren’t going anywhere. The Good Shepherd School is run by Haitians and they are doing their best to serve the community of Pele. While we are following the government mandate that schools remain closed for the time being, the staff is checking in on teachers and the community and the teachers and staff are receiving paychecks.

Celebrate with us 32 new Graduates!

Changing the Headlines in Haiti

A recent headline in The Haitian Times read SUMMERTIME IN HAITI LAMENTED. The article shared how many youth activities that once made summer in Haiti a memorable experience have been canceled, interrupted, or marred by violence.

While this headline is true, we are making our own headlines by defying the odds and doing our best to serve hot meals in the community and take kids to camp.

Most of you know, that our school director, Chedrick Caneus, pictured below in the bright green shirt, also leads YoungLife in Haiti. The students at the school had the opportunity to attend summer outreach camp.

Manica is a recent graduate of the Good Shepherd School. This summer she spent a week at camp serving on the work crew washing dishes as part of a leadership training program.

Empty Bowls Event Provides 20,000 Meals

Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement by artists and craftspeople in cities and towns around the world to raise money for food-related charities to care for and feed the hungry. At the St Thomas More School in Decatur, Georgia, the students and families raised funds for The Good Shepherd School feeding program.

A visit to St Thomas More School is an experience! The walls are filled with artwork and photos from around the world. You can sense the school mission is being lived out —
“a joyful learning community reaching out to the world as the hands of Christ.”

Mrs. Miller’s art classes all participate! Even the teachers make bowls. This year the bowls were shaped from clay and handpainted. Students make posters, other Haitian-style art and learn about Haiti and hunger. The families are encouraged to eat a simple meal and donate the savings to help provide meals at the Good Shepherd School. So far funds have been raised to feed the students lunch for 18 days! That’s 1200 meals a day for 18 days! We are very grateful to the staff, students, and families at STM for providing meals that make for a healthy learning environment.

Haitian taxis, called, Tap Taps, are created from cardboard boxes and sequin art!