Our Beloved HAITI January 2010

I Believe Andrea Bocelli with Katherine Jenkins One day I'll hear The laugh of children In a world where war has been banned. One day I'll see Men of all colors Sharing words of love and devotion. Stand up and feel The Holy Spirit Find the power of your faith. Open your heart To those who need you In the name of love and devotion. Yes, I believe. I believe in the people Of all nations To join and to care For love. I believe in a world Where light will guide us And giving our love We'll make heaven on earth.

Haiti Map

Haiti Flag The flag of Haiti, most recently adopted in 1987, incorporates the countrys national colors – blue and red. In the center is Haitis coat of arms, which includes a palm tree, flags, two cannons, and a scroll with the motto LUnion Fait la Force (In Union There is Strength)

Haiti Facts Haitis name comes from the Arawak word ayiti, which means land of mountains. Haiti is the 2 nd oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States. It became a republic in 1804.

Statistics Poverty Gross national income per capita is US$520 78% of Haitians are poor (less than US$2 a day), and more than half (54%) live in extreme poverty (less than US$1 a day). In rural areas, poverty and extreme poverty rates are estimated to be 84% and 69% respectively. Over two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs. Life expectancy is 58 for men and 61 years old for women. Half of children under 5 are malnourished and 7% of children die at birth. For every 100,000 births, 523 women died in Haiti, compared to eight maternal deaths for every 100,000 births in Europe. 80 out of 1,000 Haitian children never see their first birthday.

Statistics Education 50% of primary school age children are not enrolled in school. One-third of girls over six never go to school. More than 50% of children attending school are over-aged. Literacy 37.9% of the population is unable to read or write, as compared to only 12% illiteracy in the rest of Latin America. Country Info Population: 9.7 million (2007) Age structure 0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,735,917/female 1,704,383) years: 58.5% (male 2,621,059/female 2,665,447) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 120,040/female 188,690) (2009 est.) Median Age: 20.2 years

The National Palace (Before January 12, 2010)

The National Palace (After January 12, 2010)

House of Hope Ecumenical Committee for Peace and Justice (COPJ) House of Hope is a program that benefits children laboring as domestic servants, assists young moms, single girls, and a few elderly women who have been abandoned by providing them with a safe place where they can learn social skills such as conflict resolution and a professional trade.

CONASPEH The National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti Interdenominational Council of Churches 6,700 local congregations Founded in 1986 Our vision is to eliminate the racial, state and religious exclusion of which member churches have been victims, and to promote religious, economic, social, moral and intellectual development in the country.

CONASPEH Logo The symbol of CONASPEH, an inverted tree, represents the organizations philosophy, its source and jurisdiction: the mandate comes from God and it is on earth that one is called to work and to help the poor to obtain the fruits of heaven.

CONASPEH The National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti

CONASPEH is more than just a building

Patrick & Francoise Villier

CONASPEH Board of Directors Francoise Villier, Guy Romeus, Patrick Villier, Pascal Rodrigue, Exautus Daniel

CONASPEH

Patrick & Kimberly Bentrott (and Baby Solomon too!)

Bentrotts Apartment Building

Walls International Guest House

Tent Cities

The Destruction

The People

Farewell (for now)

CONASPEH Planning for the Future

CONASPEH Emergency Response 2,500 CONASPEH churches are in the affected earthquake zone Emergency Response: Distribution of food (rice, beans, oil & milk), clothing, shoes, personal hygiene items and cots/mattresses and shelter. Emergency Response will also include trauma counseling and training for those who are accompanying the victims.

CONASPEH Reconstruction Stage Building new homes, churches and facilities or repairing the existing ones Emphasis will be placed on the following: schools, health clinics, the nursing school, the seminary and other services that are offered by the local churches. Reconstruction of the Central Offices of CONASPEH Mutual Support Program (Yon Ede Lot) – micro-credit program Goat & Pig Project

How can I help? Donations may be made through: Week of Compassion One Great Hour of Sharing Global Ministries

To Friends of Haiti THANK YOU! International Community United Church of Christ Disciples of Christ

Isaiah Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 30 Jenn gason konn pèdi souf, yo konn bouke. Lè konsa, yo bite, yo tonbe. 31 Men, Seyè a ap bay moun ki mete konfyans yo nan li fòs ankò. Tankou malfini, y'ap pran zèl pou yo leve ale. Y'ap kouri san yo p'ap janm bouke. Y'ap mache, yo p'ap janm febli.

Haitian Freedom Song Haitian Kreole Oui Oui Oui, Senge Se oumen nou tap chaché Kouynea nou delivre! Phonetic Pronunciation Wee Wee Wee, Sen-yeh Seh ooh-men nu tap che-che Koon-ye-ah nu de-liv-reh! English Yes, Yes, Yes, Oh Lord It was you who searched for us Now we are free!