By Karen Wienberg | Chair, Board of Directors
As school children and youth begin preparing for their exams to finish off this school year, we can see many milestones accomplished. Some students have done so well this year that they will not be required to write the final exams! Some of the children we have recently reunited with their families are undergoing special tutoring so that they will be able to go to school next year - what a new life they have to look forward to. Tutoring will continue through the summer months for many students to ensure they can continue to gain confidence and skills. Vocational skills training will also take place during the summer months for some of those enthusiastic youth! Those that have already completed vocational skills training will have an opportunity to use those new skills - and have their first employment experience - as we begin building on the LFBS land development project!
The medical students we are supporting were excited to share their first term results – all were in the 70% range! So fantastic – and we were able to provide them with laptops to ensure their ability to be successful as they progress toward their medical careers! One of the agronomy students we sponsor has been able to go on field trips to other parts of the country to study and apply his learning in a practical way, another works with us on our family outreach and on our land – their enthusiasm growing along with their skills and knowledge.
Supplies not easily attainable in Haiti, come to us in many ways...including by sailboat! Wonderful supporters throughout the US brought supplies to docks along the eastern coast as sailboat Tandemeer loaded up at ports heading southward to Haiti. Boxes of backpacks for school (thanks to Move to Matter Organization), cases of UBSuperfood nutritional powder (thanks to UBSuper), medical supplies and even bicycles to provide transportation to and from school or work arrived at the dock!
Sharing our model for programs and initiatives, and advocating for Children's Rights and concrete changes across the country is part of the critical lasting impacts that LFBS is involved with. Morgan Wienberg, LFBS Co-founder and Head of Haiti Operations was an invited participant in a three day National Workshop on the Reform of the Child Care System. Government officials from all regions of the country, as well as other Child Protection Actors, gathered to learn more about the process of reformation of child care systems. They discussed the goal of deinstitutionalisation (DI) as being so much more than simply closing orphanages: it is the development of family and community based solutions to child protection issues. During the workshop – facilitated by Haitian Social Services (IBESR) and UNICEF – they began brainstorming a long term plan for working towards DI in Haiti. Key information provided included: over 27 000 children currently in institutions; 80/90% of children in orphanages are NOT real orphans and have families; of 754 orphanages evaluated in the country, only 30 have been approved and have minimum standards of care; even those orphanages which have been approved, IBESR would like to have transformed into transitional centres and/or foster homes. IBESR requests that no more than 30% of funding goes to institutions, while at least 70% of funds is invested in community or family solutions. Morgan has also been invited to provide input to the "Report of the UN Secretary General on the Status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child 2019".
One of the film crew members that was in Haiti in the late fall released a newsletter sharing some of his fantastic photos of LFBS staff, family and the surrounding area, as well as some of his insights from his time with us. Here is the link to that document: https://www.gbpcreative.ca/blog/2019/1/8/haiti?fbclid=IwAR29sR7tfNCQPkVD0T_ZCEQtWD7ovyBAWm84SWCqsS6f6QUx6XufbSyXtEM
Some of you may have followed the media coverage of tHaiti's country-wide demonstrations and escalating riots that took place in February. And wondered what it was really all about. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. With the majority of the people already living in extreme poverty - additional crippling inflation (Haitian currency lost 40% of its value), astronomical fuel and food prices, further disregard for human rights, fragile political processes erupted into prolonged demonstrations and rioting in early February. Imagine if you made $2/day to look after your family’s needs, and it cost $12 to purchase just a gallon of cooking oil!
And, you may have seen the media coverage of NGOs and volunteers fleeing the country. LFBS Head of Haiti Operations, remained steadfast in Haiti, leading her staff, planning for the future and providing stability and hope for the children and families that LFBS works with. Standing strong with determination and commitment sent a tremendously strong message to all and allowed us to be immediately impactful and responsive once it was safe to do so. Leadership and commitment looks like that. Here is a link to CBC TV National News interview: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1446119491894
Strengthening families means that parents also have learning sessions - on Child and Women's Rights, on health prevention, on family planning...AND for our small business start-up program! We collaborate with Haven Organization for the training portion of this initiative. Opportunity for empowerment and independance, setting examples for their children and community, and keeping families whole and healthy. To date, we have close to 100 participants in this life-changing program!
YOU are the catalyst that mobilizes the constant determination and commitment from our staff, leaders, children and families into action! Thank you so much!
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