Dear Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti Community,
As the situation in Haiti grows more complex and urgent, our commitment to the children and young adults remains steadfast. This month’s update is structured around the three core pillars of our mission: Healthcare, Young Adult Development, and Education. Before diving in, we also want to share a joyful moment from their Easter celebration.
This past month, the children and young adults also came together to celebrate Easter Sunday. Despite the difficult conditions surrounding them, they found joy in fellowship, reflection, and celebration in the resurrection of Jesus.
We hope these moments of peace and community remind us all of the importance of hope and resilience. Happy Easter season from our SHH family to yours!
Recent months have brought both important progress and persistent challenges to maintaining the health and well-being of the children and youth in our care. In March, a large distribution of medications helped improve treatment for common illnesses such as respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues. Thanks to improved oversight and medication stock management, most minor cases are now being treated on-site, reducing the need for hospital visits.
We continue to monitor the medical needs of children and youth closely. Several children have been identified for follow-up appointments with specialists, and appointments are in the process of being scheduled. Christa’s situation remains a concern, as we have not yet been able to identify an organization in Haiti that can provide the prosthetic she needs. Her case remains a priority.
We’re also seeing encouraging signs of improved overall health among the children. With SHH’s monthly contributions for fruits and vegetables, the children are benefiting from a more balanced, nutritious diet. Meals now include a variety of fresh produce and natural juices, which are contributing to stronger immune systems and fewer minor illnesses.
The Young Adult Development STARS program, in partnership with Kids Connection Haiti, continues to make strong progress. April marked the continuation of our third and most impactful module to date: Healthy Interpersonal Relationships. This essential module equips young adults with the skills they need to build healthy, supportive, and communicative relationships in both their personal and professional lives. Topics covered this month include:
Highlights from this past month include:
We are thrilled to share several important education-related updates:
These tools are not luxuries—they are necessities. They help students continue their studies and move closer to achieving their dreams. A reminder that there are currently four students enrolled in university:
These young adults are pursuing professional paths that can uplift not only themselves but their communities and country.
As the academic year nears its end, our university students are working hard to close out the semester. However, many schools are struggling to transition fully to online platforms due to the ongoing violence, and students continue to face difficulties accessing Wi-Fi consistently. These barriers make your support for technology and internet connectivity all the more impactful.
The security crisis in Haiti has continued to worsen. Armed gangs are now controlling a majority of Port-au-Prince and are steadily expanding their territory. Based on our team in Haiti, over 80% of the capital and vast majority of Haiti itself is now considered under gang influence. The violence has displaced over 360,000 people in the past year alone and has caused severe disruptions to daily life, medical care, and education.
The Foundation’s office and boys young adults’ house are now living just minutes away from the edge of gang-controlled territory. Gunfire can be heard on a daily basis and the situation is very critical and dangerous.
We are actively monitoring the situation and working closely with our partners on the ground. If the Haitian police and national forces are unable to regain control, the orphanage and young adult houses may be forced to make drastic evacuation decisions in the near future to safeguard the lives of the children and young adults.
We ask that you please keep Haiti—and the foundation’s community—in your prayers. And if you are in a position to help, your donations are more impactful now than ever.
With gratitude,
Tommy Conner
President, Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti