Impact Update – Fall 2020

COVID-19 Response Update

We give thanks for COVID-19’s limited impact in Haiti. It continues, however, to damage the economy and increase hunger. Since July our response – The Home Gardens Project – has been moving apace: 170 (of 210) families’ water catchment systems have been installed, 103 home visits have been made by garden technicians, 73 sustainable gardens are already functioning, and 95 parents have participated in the execution of the project.

Schools Remain Open

With COVID apparently under control, per the Haitian government’s guidelines The Children’s Academy and our Partner Schools remain open serving over 1350 students each day and keeping the jobs of over 200 school staff members secure. While enforcing COVID precautions is an ongoing challenge and testing is limited, we have yet to identify any confirmed cases within the schools. See more Schools Program news here.

Entrepreneurship Update

We are pleased to share that our entrepreneurship activities are bearing fruit in exciting and unexpected ways. Merline’s Caribbean Hot Sauce rolled out new branding, larger bottles and improved packaging, the Handmade Paper Greeting Cards from the Children’s Academy continue to increase in quality while lowering in cost, and our student entrepreneurs are surprising us as they learn to save and launch their own small businesses.

Merline Engle becomes Co-Director of Haiti Partners

By an unanimous vote of the Haiti Partners Board of Directors, Merline Engle was invited to become a Co-Director and has graciously accepted. While Merline has been an integral part of Haiti Partners’ work since the beginning, this move formalizes her vital role as a leader in the organization. View the announcement here.

Haiti Partners earns re-accreditation from BBB Wise Giving Alliance/Give.org

Earning accreditation from BBB Wise Giving Alliance/Give.org involves undergoing a rigorous evaluation process that includes meeting 20 accountability standards in the areas of governance, measuring effectiveness, finances and fundraising & info. Learn more here.

Save the Date – Feb. 20, 2021 – for Growing Together: A Haiti Partners virtual Benefit to support students, families, and communities in Haiti

Please join us as we take advantage of the virtual format to visit students and families in Haiti, enjoy musical performances from Haitian artists, and learn more about Haiti and the impact your support is having in the lives of its people. Now accepting sponsors!