An overview of Brethren accomplishments in Haiti, 2010-2011.

This map shows the locations of some of the main Church of the Brethren congregations in the area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Circled in red at center right is Croix des Bouquets, the neighborhood where Eglise des Freres Haitiens has its new Ministry Center and Guesthouse complex, and where the Croix des Bouquet Church is now meeting in a new building.

This listing of work and achievements of the Brethren in Haiti 2010-2011 was compiled by Klebert Exceus, who has led the Brethren Disaster Ministries building projects there (translated from French with the help of Jeff Boshart). All disaster related relief and response programs were funded by Brethren Disaster Ministries via the Emergency Disaster Fund including support for strategic partnerships and much of the agricultural work, except where it is noted that the Global Food Crisis Fund supported the project. All of the church building was made possible through special donations from congregations and individuals to the Emerging Global Mission Fund.

2010

Distributions:

• seed distribution in 20 areas of the country
• support (through the Global Food Crisis Fund) for an agricultural program in Bombadopolis distributing goats
• water filters in more than 15 areas of the country to combat cholera
• distributions of food in Port-au-Prince during six months following the earthquake for around 300 families
• household kits to more than 500 beneficiaries across the country
• distributed cases of canned chicken in more than 12 areas of the country after the earthquake, approximately 5,000 cases

Built:

• built temporary homes for around 50 families, a temporary village constructed on a plot of land
• a community cistern and a water retention pond on the island of La Tortue (Tortuga) with support from the Global Food Crisis Fund
• a security wall around land purchased for a Ministry Center

Supported:

• the Paul Lochard School in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince for one year by paying teachers, providing food, and temporary classrooms
• three other schools in Haiti: Ecole Evangelique de la Nouvelle Alliance de St. Louis du Nord, Ecole des Freres de La Tortue aux Plaines, and Ecole des Freres de Grand Bois Cornillon
• mobile health clinics in six locations after the earthquake (now continuing in more than five areas of the country)

Purchased:

• a Nissan Frontier pick up truck for transportation, etc.
• land in Croix des Bouquets for a Ministry Center, guesthouse, and church offices

2011 

Built:

• 50 homes, 45 square meters, following anti-seismic standards
• guesthouse built on the Ministry Center land to receive volunteers
• 5 churches (supported through the Emerging Global Mission Fund): Eglise des Freres de Gonaives, Eglise des Freres de Saut d’eau, Eglise des Freres de La Feriere, Eglise des Frères de Pignon, Eglise des Freres de Morne Boulage
• 5 church shelters (supported through the Emerging Global Mission Fund): La Premiere Eglise des Frères de Delmas, Eglise des Frères de Tom Gateau, Eglise des Frères de Marin, Eglise des Freres de Croix des Bouquets, Eglise des Freres de Canaan
• currently around 23 churches or preaching points in the country of Haiti

Supported:

• financing for a micro-loan program for those families who could not find land upon which to build a permanent home, and paid rent for one year for those families
• supported other agricultural programs in 12 areas of the country
• created 500 jobs through all of these activities
• provided civic, social, and Christian education for over 500 children in Port au Prince (through Vacation Bible School)
• supported other organizations working in Haiti (including IMA World Health and Church World Service)
• sent groups of mission volunteers to work in the country

Additional information provided by Brethren Disaster Ministries:

Strategic partnerships have provided relief work in areas where Brethren Disaster Ministries does not have the proper expertise or capacity, but are areas considered critical for this response.

Health services partner IMA World Health:
As a member communion of IMA World Health, Brethren Disaster Ministries supporting ACCorD (Areas for Cooperation and Coordination of Development), a program demonstrating how faith-based organizations can co-manage health and development programming to improve service delivery, utilization, and community health in Haiti. Project objectives focus on strengthening health interventions through: 1. Maternal, newborn, and child health: antenatal care visits, assisted deliveries, immunizations and growth monitoring; 2. Addressing malnutrition: nutrition demonstration center and therapeutic food distribution; 3. Community development: constructing latrines and wells.

Emotional and spiritual care partner STAR Haiti:
Also called Twomatizasyon ak Wozo, STAR Haiti is a program of Eastern Mennonite University. "Of all the many things that have come to Haiti following the earthquake, STAR is the best of all of them,” stated Freny Elie, a Church of the Brethren pastor and teacher, after attending Advanced STAR training in February 2011. The program provides knowledge and skills for Haitian church and community leaders to assist them in dealing with the effects of trauma in their congregations and communities. Two Brethren leaders participate on the advisory council and as STAR trainers. Brethren leaders train others and the information is shared throughout the church and the local communities. This process is replicated in other participating churches and communities.

Ecumenical response partner Church World Service (CWS):
Partnering with CWS supports a large-scale ecumenical response, expanding the response beyond what Church of the Brethren resources allow. CWS provides: 1. Material and aid for two camps of internally displaced people; 2. Reconstruction of permanent housing; 3. Repairing of institutional centers; 4. Support for agricultural sustainability; 5. Programs addressing the needs (education, nutrition, counseling) of vulnerable children; 6. Support for  economic recovery within Haiti through empowering and supporting people with disabilities and implementing disaster risk reduction strategies.

Source:1/11/2012 Newsline