Compassion Haiti's Dream

After the 2010 earthquake, things were tough in Haiti, to say the least.  Things had been pretty tough for many people there even before the earthquake.  Jeannot told us that they needed something to give them hope for the future, and they came up with a saying.... "A New Heart for Haiti".  He also told us that "Compassion Haiti wants to be the next Compassion Korea".  Here's the story behind this dream.

In 1952, Reverend Everett Swanson traveled to South Korea to preach the gospel.  He saw many young Korean War orphans and felt compassion toward them.  He wanted to do something to help.  When he returned to America, he was given two checks (one for $50 and one for $1,000) to be used for this purpose.  With this money, Reverend Swanson launched the ministry that is now Compassion International.  By 1954, special sponsorships were set up in Korea so that individuals or church groups could support orphans for a few dollars a month.   

Fast forward to 1993--  South Korea's Compassion program ends after 40 years of successful ministry, because there is no longer a need!  And, here's the real reason Compassion Haiti wants to be the next Compassion Korea.... in 2004, South Korea became a Partner Country - meaning people there are now sponsors of needy children in other countries! (I'm sure most of you won't be able to read anything on the linked page to Compassion Korea since it's all in Korean... but I thought it was really neat to see!)

So, how is Haiti going to do this?  Well, I'd say humanly-speaking right now it seems like a long shot.  But I'm sure they would have said that in Korea, too, back in the early days of Compassion.  

Let me tell you about one of the ways Compassion is working to make this dream possible. One of the programs Compassion started in Haiti in 1997 is the Leadership Development Program (LDP).  We saw real hope for Haiti on the second to last night of our trip, when two LDP students, one young man and one young lady, came and spoke to us.  

LDP student, and translator Johnnie - photo thanks to Jason

As young children, they had come up thru the Child Sponsorship Program.  When they graduated from that program, they applied and were accepted into the Leadership Development Program.  Both of them spoke eloquently about their sponsors and what they meant to them.  They spoke of how important their sponsors had been in their younger years -- giving them encouragement thru their letters -- to have hope and keep working toward their goals.  They also spoke about the college education they are now getting thru the LDP and how they plan to use it in the future to help others in Haiti. I have to say, it was really encouraging as a sponsor to hear both of these fine Haitian students.  Sponsorship does work.  Your letters to your kids, encouraging them to study hard and dream of a better future really does mean a lot.   

LDP student with Johnnie translating.  Again, thanks to Jason for the photos.

Compassion has been working in Haiti since 1958.  Will they achieve their dream of being a Partner Country some day?  They are struggling with a lot of problems that South Korea did not have, but "With God, all things are possible".  I'm praying for that day to come.