No child should be forced into a gang to survive. OMFCA is letting children be children: going to school, not being recruited by gangs.
We can all agree that education is a universal good, but unfortunately, it’s not easily accessible everywhere in the world. In Haiti, people with an education have options. Without an education it is likely you will be impoverished. Displaced children that aren’t in school are easy targets to be recruited by gangs or sold on the street. But, going to school isn’t easy, because there’s no public education in Haiti. A literature review published in 2021 in the Journal of Education by three scholars at the University of Haiti, report that,
“In Haiti, private schools dominate 80% of the learning institutions in primary education and 75% of the institutions in secondary education are private schools,”(Hebblethwaite, 2020),” (Gedro, D.M., Hartman, D.B. & Suarez, L.2021).
Thankfully….
Pastor Romain and Agnes at OMFCA are dedicated to sending the children to school so they can get a formal education and be as prepared as they can for the future. In the literature review done at the University of Haiti they state that, “Destitution brings about unequal access to learning that results in inequality and minimal effect of development on decreasing poverty,” (Page 2. Gedro, D.M., Hartman, D.B. & Suarez, L.2021). In the article they discuss that depending on where you live in Haiti, access to education or good education differs, and in areas where there are no schools or inadequate education, there is little hope that their community will be able to improve their economic status.
The children at OMFCA are enrolled in a private Christian school, which is one of the annual ministry needs that we support. Education expenses for school year 2021-2022 was donated by one of our church partnerships.
What does this mean for OMFCA?
Sending the kids to school is a necessity at OMFCA, because Pastor Romain and Agnes know that if the children don’t get an education then the likelihood of them being swept up by a gang or sold on the streets is extremely high. With gangs kidnapping people daily and murders being a weekly occurrence, gangs are constantly recruiting young Haitians.
Learn more about current events in Haiti here and here.
UNICEF states that, “Children become part of an armed force or group for various reasons. Some are abducted, threatened, coerced, or manipulated by armed actors. Others are driven by poverty, compelled to generate income for their families. Still, others associate themselves for survival or to protect their communities.”
(UNICEF. “Children recruited by armed forces or armed groups. December 2021.).
This is why education is a necessity at OMFCA: to keep the children off of the streets by providing them with opportunities and the tools to flourish as citizens of Haiti and Heaven! Praise the Lord that the children at OMFCA now have a stable and loving home where they can grow, go to school, learn about God and be discipled by Pastor Romain and Agnes!
We believe that God’s children are all made in His image and should be treated with love and respect, especially children that have lost their families. Pastor Romain and Agnes are passionate about raising the children in a gospel-centered home, and providing them with tools and opportunities to flourish as citizens of Haiti and Heaven!
Ways You Can Help OMFCA
Donating monthly NOW will help pay for school next year
Education expenses are broken down into four categories:
- tuition
- transportation
- uniforms
- books/supplies
Transportation is one expense that has increased since the beginning of the year because of how dangerous it is for the Tap Taps drivers to be working.
High demand = higher price.
Thankfully, this year’s education expenses were paid for by one of our church partners! But, if you’re interested in donating toward next year’s education expenses and want to learn more, contact us and an Uplift Board Member will be in touch!
Ready to donate and help OMFCA care for the children?
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