Our vision is for all families in Haiti to have access to education and have sufficient income to be able to provide for their family’s essential needs. We will work towards our vision by coming alongside families, and family units, in practical ways.

READ THEIR STORY HERE:  OUR BEGINNING

 

SPONSORSHIP
Change is possible!

Our passion is to come alongside families to strengthen them and empower them to build their capacity in sustaining ways. We recognize that change takes time and too often a child's education is cut short when the family has minimal resources.

You can come alongside a family, and help them achieve financial sustainability, by sponsoring their child to attend Elementary School, High School or Post-Secondary Education.

A sponsored child will have their tuition and fees paid, and be provided with their required text books. Families are encouraged to participate in the education process by providing uniforms, supplies and transportation (when necessary). We believe it is important for families to be part of the process and if they are not financially able, they will be encouraged to participate in our Small Business Loan program.

The cost of sponsorship varies depending on the level of education:

Elementary School: $30/month

High School: $40/month

Post-Secondary: minimum $50/month (depending on career path)

FOR MORE DETAILS, CLICK HERE!

 

VISIT ALONGSIDE FAMILIES WEBSITE HERE!

To Give:  Click on the MISSIONAL FUND in the drop down menu.

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APRIL 2024 UPDATE

As you probably know from local news, the unrest in Haiti continues to deteriorate and there is really no clear path out of the spiral. Christianity Today recently published an article that is tough to read; "Haitians Are Ministering at the End of the World".

So, how are we doing? I feel like I need to compartmentalize my response.

I'll start with the families that we support. We have touched base with all of our families and they are all 'safe' and outside of gang controlled areas. All of our students are attending functioning schools. The majority of the chaos is in Port-au-Prince, communities surrounding Port-au-Prince, and larger cities scattered throughout the country. Suburbs and smaller communities are relatively calm but food & essentials are very expensive and becoming more scarce as very little is being transported.

The main concern being raised by our families is being able to afford food and fear of what will happen next.

The acting Prime Minister, Henry Ariel, has agreed to step down once a transitional government is in place. The international community (CARICOM) has put together a transitional council that would be responsible for eventually holding elections but they haven't been sworn in yet. The gangs (who have joined forces to oust Ariel) say they will not recognize the council and threatens that anyone appointed by the international community will be targeted. Our families echo this frustration with the meddling of the international community as those that have been named for the council include politicians that have proven over and over that they do not have Haiti's best interest in mind.

While we can't do anything to ease fear of what will happen politically we can help to ease their concerns about being able to purchase food for their families.

Here is a picture of hampers we have been giving out.

 

If you would like to help us provide food hampers for our families you can donate to our relief fund or sign up to become a regular "SOL supporter". SOL is the Kreyol word for foundation so by becoming a SOL supporter you are strengthening our foundation and allowing us to respond to urgent needs in Haiti effectively and immediately.
 
Donate to the Relief Fund
Become a SOL Supporter

How are our programs functioning?
Our Sponsorship Program had a sponsorship drive in February and we were able to increase our sponsorship by 23 shares a month! This is allowing us to increase the number of students we support in the coming school year. While this doesn't have an immediate impact on those new students it will provide hope to their families, and that is significant.

Our SBL (Small Business Loan) program is thriving! In the past few weeks we've had 4 loans repaid and 5 new loans issued. That's incredible given the unpredictable circumstances these businesses are operating in. Small businesses are the backbone of communities and we are providing a service essential to keeping them operational.

If you're looking for practical ways to support families in Haiti during this turbulent time donating to our SBL program is as good as it gets!

In the coming months we will be highlighting some of our loan recipients so you can see the impact the loans are having in Haiti.
 
Donate to the SBL Program
Make room for a new student next year

And finally, how are we doing personally?
Renel & I are heartbroken about what is happening in Haiti. We are on the phone daily with Alongside's staff (Luckner & Garry) as well as our friends & family. 

We've talked about what we think needs to happen to improve things in Haiti so much that I don't even know what I think anymore. 

What we are certain of is how grateful we are that we have a practical way to help through Alongside.

Giving out food hampers to families that don't know where their next meal is coming from. Giving out a business loan to a young mother who feeds her children with her income. Hearing the relief in parents voices when we tell them that we will support their child in school next year. We are grateful to be involved in every moment.

Thank you for walking alongside us as we walk alongside families in Haiti - together we can make a difference!

Rebecca Honorat
Executive Director