Christian Relief Ministries

Haiti

Seven Hundred miles south of Miami by sea, Haiti shares the same island with what is known as The Dominican Republic. There are more than 9 million people within its 10,000 square miles that are equal to the size of Deleware. Haiti is one of the most densly populated countries in the West.

The people of Haiti are descendants of slaves brought over from Africa centuries ago. It was in 1804 that Haiti became the first Black Republic in the world gaining its independence by driving out French colonists.Decades of self rule have not been easy for the Haitian, especially those that live in rural communities.

Today the Haitian struggles for a different kind of Independence and Freedom .The kind that many of our readers have already experienced,  Freedom from poverty, illiteracy, and lack of education- from malnutrition and disease.

And yes even spiritual freedom!

Statistics

As a third world nation most of the people are poverty stricken. The average life expectancy is 43 years, due mostly to the poverty in which they live. Only 40% of Haitians have access to safe drinking water. 75% of all Haitians are malnourished. Only half of all school age children attend school. No goverment aid or public schools available to them. Illiteracy is a high 75% .65% of all Haitians practice voodoo. Unemployement  is 70% with the average income of $400 yearly. Doctors are 1 in every 1200 haitians. Haiti estimates about 230,000 infants born every year and sadly 20% of all babies die in childbirth. 1 out of every 4 children have some form of Tuberculosis.  Many will never see their 5th birthday.