| Country / Region: | Haiti / Pignon |
|---|---|
| Project Summary: | Improving the quality of life and strengthening the Christian witness in the community through micro loans, a sugar mill, chicken farms, and a water project. |
| Bright Hope Support: | TBD |
The statistics on Haiti are grim: 33% of its 8 million people are unemployed, 5.6% are infected with HIV/AIDS, and over half of the population is under the age of 20. Lack of food affects 40% of Haitian homes and 55% live on less than one dollar a day.
The city of Pignon in north central Haiti faces many challenges including lack of running water, limited access to electricity, very little economic opportunity, and deplorable road conditions.
Pastor Jephthe Lucien, Bright Hope’s partner in Haiti, guides the work of the Jerusalem Baptist Mission as its National Director. Pastor Lucien oversees the mother church and 30 satellite churches (with over 3,000 members) and 13 Christian schools (with over 2,100 children).
The Mission’s economic development programs have directly impacted hundreds of families throughout Pignon.
This ministry has improved the quality of life in Pignon for thousands of people. More importantly, it has greatly strengthened the level of Christian witness opportunities in these communities. Bright Hope’s support in Haiti since 1996 has included the following:
- School Feeding Program for 236 students
- Micro Loan Program impacting over 280 Families
- Shipment of Relief Containers (food, shoes, computers, etc.)
- Hurricane and Natural Disaster Relief
- Income Generation Programs (Chicken Farm, Sugar Mill and Water Project)
- Donkey Rental Program for Local Businesses
- Leadership Development
Most recently, Bright Hope’s micro loan project in Pignon has proven to be an incredible success, with 100% of the initial loans repaid and additional loans now being granted. These programs enable families to start up small vegetable gardens, feed their families and ultimately develop their own small business ventures as the continue in the program. Through this program, over 280 families are regaining a sense of dignity, becoming far more self sustaining and creating their own hope for a better future.
Future funding will allow the current projects efforts to sustain and grow, and will also allow the expansion of the school feeding and micro loan programs.
