"Hope for Haiti" Ministry Ministry >> Missions >> Local, Haiti, Global 

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PLEASE DONATE TO THE SCHOOL BUILDING FUND!

Southside Church has been reaching out in compassion and practical ministry in the town of Mirebalais, Haiti since 2006. 

We began by raising money and working on projects at the Haiti Children’s Home (HCH) orphanage. We were so impressed by their passionate love for Jesus and their selfless ministry to the malnourished, premature and abandoned children of Haiti that we knew we had found a ministry worth supporting.


The principals of HCH and our local Haitian ministry partners helped form an organization called FONSOPED to expand their effectiveness in reaching out and meeting the greater needs of their community in the name of Jesus Christ.

FONSOPED is the (Foundation du soutien et de la protection des enfants démunis) which means, "Foundation for the support and protection of impoverished children".  FONSOPED is a nationally recognized foundation in Haiti that has been organized to help Haiti's children. The name of the organization says it all.

One of the greatest needs that FONSOPED and Southside has recognized is the lack of child education. In Haiti, the reality is that most families cannot afford the minimal school fees required so the result is that most children do not attend. With no education and low levels of skilled labour a future free of poverty appears insurmountable. 

In 2007, we coordinated with Hungry for Life (www.hungryforlife.org) and partnered with FONSOPED to start a “free” school for children from the poorest families of the Meille community of Mirebalais.

Today our school, the "Ecole Mixte Fonsoped de Meille" (Mixed School of Fonsoped Meille) provides free education and a nutritious daily meal for 165 Mirebalais children. The school used to be run out of a church basement, but we purchased land nearby and have begun school construction on the first phase. The first phase includes a cookhouse, eight classrooms, two bathrooms, an office and a water well. Until the school is completed, the students are meeting in temporary classrooms on site. At present we are teaching grades one to six but will have plenty of room to expand classes in the new building. Eventually this project will benefit over 300 children per year with a free education.

 

We have developed and manage a Student Sponsorship program so caring people just like you can sponsor a child’s education at our school. For $40 a month you provide for all your student’s educational needs and a daily meal; a meal which is critical to their growth and development. It is not unusual for children to go a day or even days without a meal.  Every cent of the $40/mo sponsorship goes directly to fund the operation of the school and your students care.

 

Southside Church sends one to two short-term missions teams per year to Mirebalais to serve the needs of the children at HCH, The School, the Church and the greater community.

 

Depending on the trip, activities for team members may include:

  • Various construction and maintenance projects

  • Student Sponsorship work

  • Serving the Students

  • Caring for orphans at HCH

  • Home visits

  • Local Church functions

  • Distribution of food and supplies

  • Community Outreach

  • VBS and other related ministries

Please consider supporting us in this ministry by sponsoring a child or making a donation to help us complete this much needed School project. For more information contact the Southside Church office at (604) 824-8724 or email Pastor Mike Davies at mikedavies@southsidelife.com.