A Prayer for Haiti
Heavenly Father, bless all children and families in our sites in Haiti. Help us to continue to provide the means through which children and their families can access adequate nutrition, school support, and medical care. In the face of frequent natural disasters, we have seen inspirational stories of the hard work, determination, and unwavering faith of the Haitian people. Please continue to guide them as they strive to live their lives in dignity and peace. We also offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the generous acts of kindness and love from our supporters, especially when natural disasters strike. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord, Amen
The Radiance of Haitian cuisine: DIRI KOLE
Haitian National Rice
No matter how much you think you already know about Haiti, there’s one more thing to add to the list: the country has its own delicious cuisine that will make your mouth water.
Often known as Diri Kole, the Creole term for rice and beans, this dish is considered Haiti’s national rice – and with good reason. A savoury mix of rice, beans and oil comes together for an enriching experience. Our version uses bacon, but it can also be made vegetarian by leaving out the meat. This recipe was created by Chalice site staff on the ground in Haiti.
While making this recipe, be sure to remember any sponsored children you may have in Haiti. Be sure to take some time later to learn about our Radiance of Our Regions campaign HERE.
Did you know? Chalice ensures children have balanced and nutrient-rich diets by implementing school feeding programs through the support of the Chalice Nutrition Program.
Stories of Inspiration
Annie is a hard worker. She is an attentive single mother to a teenage boy sponsored through our Serenje sponsor site in Zambia. She is also a loving sister and aunt. Last year when she was visited by a Chalice staff member, it was obvious that something was wrong. She was despondent and in a lot of pain.
Something you should know about Annie is that she suffered from polio as a child and lost the use of her legs. At the time of our staff visit, Annie's wheelchair was in obvious disrepair. She was sitting on a plastic patio chair covered in dirty foam, which was very uncomfortable and caused sores to develop.
Annie lives with her younger sister who is also a single mother of a young boy. The four of them lived together in a small house with no inside toilet. Their pit toilet was located 100 meters from the house and Annie required someone to assist her to use it, which was especially difficult during rainy weather.
Both Annie and her sister work diligently to provide for their children. Annie sews clothes using a sewing machine given to her by a well wishes some time ago. Her sister has a small business selling fritters. They had begun to build a new home recently with an inside toilet and a bathtub to make life a little easier for Annie. However, the business had been slow for them and they were struggling to meet the basic needs of the two families, meaning progress on their new home had ground to a halt.
The Challenge in Haiti
Lack of government funding, infrastructure, political instability, inflation, access to food and clean water, and vulnerability to natural disasters, are just some of the challenges of people living in Haiti. Malnutrition has led to health issues in both children and adults. In rural areas there is rampant unemployment, and unstable weather patterns can quickly ruin a small enterprise like a kitchen garden, chicken coop, or pig farm.
Large families are crowded into small homes built with mud, branches, and tree fronds. Lack of sanitary latrines and access to clean water mean water borne diseases are common. Parents do the best they can to care for their children and community members look out for each other, extending help whenever they can.
The Change in Haiti
The love of our supporters and the dedicated staff at our sponsor sites has improved the quality of life for families in our sites.
Sponsorship gives families the resources they need to keep their children in school. Chalice's family funding sponsorship distribution puts money directly into caregivers' bank accounts to buy the items their children need to succeed. The difference a uniform, school supplies, shoes and proper nutrition make in the life of a child is remarkable. Education equips future community leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to bring lasting change to a community.
The addition of a school lunch program in 2016 ensures children are fed and have the energy needed to learn. Knowing they will have a meal also encourages consistent attendance.
Projects and programs in the past 10 years have made a lasting impact on the people and communities we serve. From building hundreds of safe homes in Haiti South, to water projects, entrepreneurial ventures like hen barns and a jam co-op, and most recently a safe and sanitary latrine for Ecole Notre Dame de Lourdes in Haiti North and much needed repairs to the auditorium and washrooms at the Immaculate Conception School in Haiti South.
Chalice sponsorship began in the communities of Terrier-Rouge and Grand-Bassin in 1999. Haiti has been struggling with significant political upheaval and contracting economy. Food security is a primary and growing concern. Through the Chalice nutrition program, children in schools benefit from school meals. The site conducts health assessments for the children and monitors their development and provides workshops for parent groups on the importance of nutrition. The site runs a successful community poultry cooperative program.
Chalice has been working in the communities on Haiti’s southern tip since 2000, currently partnering with Missionnaires de l’Annonciation - Semeurs d’Espoir, an organization led by a religious Sister and staffed by religious brothers and lay associates. Haiti has been struggling with significant political upheaval and a contracting economy. Food security is a primary and growing concern. The site supports several school canteens and lunch programs through Chalice’s nutrition program. In schools that do not have a canteen, families receive kits of food to prepare at home. In the wake of the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Chalice supported several housing and water reconstruction projects throughout the area.
After Hurricane Matthew 85 orphaned children now call St Dominique home. This orphanage and school is burdened by Haiti’s ongoing upheaval, food shortages, and disease outbreaks.