Getting to Know Haiti

In the heart of the Caribbean there are a number of islands which conjure-up images of majestic skies, towering mountains, golden beaches, blue water and flocks of tourists. However, there is one island that has a much different image and has for decades been in serious peril.  With a population of over seven million people, Haiti is one of the least developed countries in the world and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. 

Haiti consists of a low income, peasant based economy of people of African decent where the average Haitian makes about $2.25 per day. Voodoo is widely practiced throughout the country.  The disparity between rich and poor is quite dramatic with one percent of the population making forty-five percent of the total income. In addition, the Haitian government is plagued with corruption and mismanagement. The country is also cursed with a very poor infrastructure of roads, communications and electrical power. All these factors have virtually eliminated foreign investment and tourism in Haiti. 

Haiti is a densely populated island with an average of 650 people per square mile. Most of the Haitian people live in rural villages, consisting of gravel roads and footpaths surrounding a collection of single room homes.  A lack of clean water and sanitary sewers in both rural and urban areas causes thousands to die each year because of disease.  This is one of many factors that cause the average life expectancy of Haitian to be only fifty years.    

Because of the widespread poverty, most people can’t afford to send their children to private primary school. Only seventy-three percent will complete the six years of primary school and do it in an average of sixteen years.  Only 15% of the children will complete secondary school. The adult literacy rate is only 35%. Few other places on earth have such overwhelming poverty and suffering as does Haiti 

To learn more about Haiti, please review the information contained  on the following links:

• CIA World Fact Book

• Embassy of the Republic of Haiti

• International Monetary Fund Report on Haiti

• Human Rights Watch Report

• Latin American Network Information Center

The people of Haiti desperately need your help to overcome the challenges of both physical and spiritual poverty.  Through the work of the Haiti Bible Mission, the lives of many Haitian are renewed and the burden of the Haitian people is lightened by the love of Jesus Christ.

You can extend a helping hand to the people of Haiti by supporting the work of Haiti Bible Mission. Your support and prayers are truly needed. Whether your support comes as a donation or participation in a short-term mission trip you are helping to bring Light into the darkness of Haiti.