Haiti — Relentless drought. Nagging hunger. Desperation to find water. This is the harsh reality in Northern Haiti, where Bright Hope’s church partners in three communities are rallying together to help the extreme poor.
In February, we asked our allies to support women in Haiti with a unique Women’s Empowerment Initiative. We are pleased to report that thanks to your generous giving, this 12-month program launched in March!
Gathering from Ferrier, Phaeton, and Paulette, Haiti, 40 participants and several more observers attended our first Women’s Leadership Conference. We are thrilled with the turnout as our hope was to reach at least 30 attendees. “We are excited about this opportunity to mentor so many women leaders in our partner communities!” shares Suzette Goss-Geffrard, Bright Hope’s Haiti Partnership Developer.
Over the course of three days, these women shared in vibrant worship and fellowship over meals. Twelve training sessions introduced topics like poverty and the hierarchy of needs, how to introduce women’s groups to the community, and how to create group savings plans and annual action plans. The engaging training sessions and lively discussion helped women see not only how to lift themselves from poverty, but also how to offer that lifeline to other women in their home churches.
By the end of the conference, those attending felt refreshed and empowered to share what they’d learned with those back home. “Thank you so much for the way you trained us here so that we can get out of the poverty we are in,” shared one attendee. “We praise God together! Merci.”
While the Women’s Leadership Conference was a huge success, we hope you’ll stay tuned for all God will do through these empowered women over the course of the next year. Thank you so much for making this program possible! We couldn’t do our work without your continued support and prayers for lives to be transformed in Haiti.