Welcome to our Huntersville 2 Haiti Blog

Our last trip back to Bayonnais in Haiti to work with our friends at OFCB Ministries was postponed due to the Earthquake.

We are planning on sending a bus load of supplies in the coming weeks and hopefully heading back to Haiti in the Summer or Fall. Let us know if you are interested in helping out.


OFCB

For nearly two centuries, subsistence farming has characterized the livelihood of 80,000 people in rural Bayonnais, Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. This is not uncommon. Following colonial independence in 1804, former slaves exercised newfound freedom by cultivating their own land in the countryside. Today, OFCB (Organization of the Christian Force of Bayonnais), a ministry founded in 1993 through the vision of five inspired individuals, provides this generation with a new opportunity: education. Subjects such as history, biology, language arts, social science, philosophy, and visual art are now available to this community for the first time. Adults and children comprise a student body that has grown from 103 to 1460, and for many, the rice and beans served at lunch may be the only substantial meal they eat all day. Not only have national exam scores been some of the highest in the region, OFCB has sent 20 students to Haitian colleges! In an effort to stimulate long-term development, the college scholarship program stipulates that each student return to OFCB upon graduation to serve the community for 10 to 15 years, depending upon the field of study. One college graduate has become a doctor, currently in residency, and will return to start Bayonnais’ first health clinic! Deep in the heart of a country plagued by extreme poverty, political violence and corruption, the people of Bayonnais are finding new hope.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Haiti Cup


This afternoon we were back working on the second floor of the school building - mainly helping the Haitian crew haul rocks and water to make concrete. It is amazing watch this crew work so tirelessly in the heat. Afterwards we took a much needed break - no showers, yet - we have not had any water in the guest house today.

So Mark, Scott, and Dave started the Haitian Cup Soccer tournament. We brought soccer balls with us. Passed some out yesterday, but they all disappeared. So, this time the plan was to play with them, so the ball would last longer.

The other Ron and I watched - Ron, because he is wise - me, I had a freak Coke bottle accident earlier in the day which prevented my participation (a long story).

However, this may be a record for the longest time a soccer ball has survived in Bayonnais - close to an hour and still going strong - not sure if I can say the same for Mark, Scott, and Dave.

FYI - If you are ever playing soccer in Bayonnais, nothing is out of bounds - wherever the ball goes it's still in play.

We brought some of our World Hunger T-shirts, Strikers Soccer shirts, other misc shirts, sunglasses, and some usb drives along with the soccer balls.

Kids are loving the shirts - the sunglasses are a big hit with the older youth and the teachers (great for keeping the dust out of your eyes on these "roads") - and Amilor will be giving the USB drives out as needed.
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1 comment:

Katie said...

dad, you ok? hope you didn't hurt yourself too much with the coke bottle! I can't wait to hear about it later. I am enjoying keeping up with your adventures on the blog. I love you!

December 5, 2008 at 4:09 PM

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