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The pictures below are from the Cite Soleil and La Saline areas of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. These two areas are some of the poorest areas of Haiti, and are where the majority of the children in the orphanage have come from. You will see roads in disrepair, pigs roaming freely, dirty water, trash, shacks made from rusted tin, etc. In the midst, are many beautiful people, just trying to survive from one day to the next. Many turn to the orphanage to care for their children. They can not afford to feed and clothe them - many have gone days between meals. By selflessly bringing their children to the orphanage, they have given them a chance at life... three meals a day, clean drinking water, a safe place to sleep, an education, an opportunity to be adopted into a family that can care for them, and an opportunity to learn about and come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
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Quick Stats 80% Unemployment
54% without clean water
1 in 10 children die before the age of four
300,000 Child slaves
48% illiterate
49% malnourished
50% of children attend school
Top three most corrupt governments in the world
Cite Soleil is#1 most dangerous place on earth.
Over 50% practice voodoo
Geography and Weather Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic occupies the other two-thirds. Haiti is in the Caribbean Sea and lies between Cuba and Jamaica. It has a land space of 27,750 miles and is slightly smaller that the state of Maryland. The terrain is mostly rough and the weather is tropical and semiarid. The Capitol of Haiti is Port-au-Prince. The island lies in the middle of the hurricane belt. From June to October is rainy season and the island is subject to flooding.
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People The population in Haiti is 7,527,817. There is excess mortality due to AIDS. This fact results in a lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, reduced populate growth rates and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than otherwise would be expected. The infant mortality rate is 76.01 deaths to every 1000 births. The life expectancy of adult males is 50 years of age and females is 52 years of age. As of the latest poll in 2001, 6.1% of the population has contracted AIDS. In that same poll, it was found that 250,000 people are currently living with AIDS and there have been 30,000 recorded deaths due to the disease. Of the total population, 95% is black, while 5% is mulatto or white.
Religion Roman Catholic, 80%
Protestant, 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, Other 1%)
None, 1%; Other, 3%
Voodoo is practiced by millions and is now an official religion in Haiti.
Mission work in Haiti faces enemy onslaught as this is a country that is yearly dedicated to Satan in a contractual form. There are voodoo practices and worship of the dark.
Language French and French Creole are both predominantly spoken. Some areas have greater amounts of spoken English.
Economy Approximately 80% of the population of Haiti is unemployed. The median family income is $250.00 dollars per month US. Nearly 70% of Haitians rely on agriculture for their income. Following legislative elections in May 2000, international donors - including the US and Europe suspended almost all aid to Haiti. The economy shrank an estimated 1.2% in 2001 and an estimated 0.9% in 2002. Haiti is economically the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. There are constant battles to aid this county.
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