Some of you have contacted us asking about our current ministry needs. They change regularly but right now there are a few that come to mind as a little more pressing than others. Here are some highlights but remember that one of the best ways to give is to our "greatest needs" fund which we then use for needs as they arise. Our administrative costs for the ministry are extremely low given that we are all volunteers and that I have good friends who donate all my flights to/from Haiti. Therefore, when you donate to the "greatest needs" account a large percentage goes directly to our projects and ministry IN HAITI. This way we have a little more freedom when God directs us to a certain need as we minister.
So... what are the current needs? Well, school is about to begin. We have about 2/3 of the orphans sponsored at Life is Wealth Orphanage but we would LOVE to be able to offer each child a backpack, uniform, books, shoes, etc... Last year we provided all children with backpacks (sponsored or not) and it cost about $450 US to do so. We also were able to give a uniform to most of the children. This cost us about $500 US more (on top of what the sponsors pay for their children). It is hard for the ones not sponsored when school begins. They do not receive items from our organization. They cry and/or are jealous and they can not help the fact that they do not have a sponsor to help with their expenses. So, it would be nice to be able to get them needed items as well. We have also been asked to help this year with shoes and books for those not sponsored as well. We told the orphanage directors that we can not do so currently, but that we would put the need out on social media and ask YOU if this is a way you would like to help out.
Also school is about to begin in Bas-Citronniers! They have a budget to work with during the school year for teachers/staff and food to give the children a hot meal daily. They work hard to make sure they maintain that budget, BUT.... they need to do some things to get ready for this school year since they are adding a new classroom (5th grade) and 25 new students. They are in need of 5 desks ($100 each) a fence around the school yard ($165 US), and they need to paint & fix a few spots where the roof is leaking again ($450 US). We also had someone come out to give us a quote to install solar power so they can hook the water pump up to it. They use water for the kitchen and bathrooms and currently pump water to a holding tank using a generator which uses gas. This is not sustainable but a solar power system for operating the pump would be. Stay tuned for info. about this one!
Mirebalais girls: There are two who need tuition paid this year for regular school ($100 each) and two would would like to take classes at the professional school ($100 each). We would love to offer this, but it is not in our budget right now.
Finally, along the same lines is the fact that we are planning to start our first English class on September 20th at the Training & Discipleship Center. YAY! We are so excited that this is finally coming together. We interviewed and hired an experienced English teacher over the summer and are currently enrolling students in the program. We will be using "English in Action" as our curriculum. But, we still need student desks (they should cost about $100 US each to build) and we need to supplement the salary of the teacher since we are not charging the community much to attend the classes. We are anticipating about $150 per month for his salary (3 months needed). We also need to make copies for handouts, pay for gas for the generator when we do not have power, and pay someone to clean the building on a regular basis. All these might not seem exciting, but they are needs for the English classes to take place in a professional manner. So, any donation right now toward the Center would be used for these things.
Do any of these ideas resonate with you? Is God calling you to fill one (or more) of these needs? You can do so yourself. You can collect among your Bible Study group. You can mention the needs to your friends (ie: share on social media). You can commit to praying for the needs and/or the ministry in general. We are praying and trusting that God will fill all the above needs through people like YOU- those who believe in this ministry and trust that we will use your funds wisely. We guarantee that we will! And, don't forget that your donations are tax-deductible as well.
Visit our website to donate (there is a page there) at www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org or e-mail us if you would like to talk directly -- heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com. You can also call the office and/or cell phone 610-286-0612 or 484-332-5021.
** We also have larger financial needs and other things that are not mentioned here. These are the most time-sensitive right now with school starting SOON in Haiti so we are praying that all are filled by September 15 (my birthday!). Thanks in advance for your prayers and support regarding these current ministry needs. We are so blessed by each one of you who joins us in His work in Haiti. Blessings- Crystal
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