Because of You, 2,524 People Were Fed and Encouraged

This Giving Tuesday, champions and supporters of PLH gave $7,298 to bring joy and hope to the PLH community.

The plan was to hold a Christmas party in the town square to give people a hot meal and a boost of encouragement in the midst of the darkness that surrounds them. As the situation with nearby gang activity became more uneasy during December, PLH staff, along with local pastors and community leaders, devised a new plan to hold smaller gatherings throughout town the weekend before Christmas.

Eleven participating churches invited their congregations and the greater community to come together for a meal and time of encouragement. A twelfth community group organized a gathering in the town square. An amazing 2,524 people were fed and encouraged!

For just a short time that afternoon, children, men, and women could put aside the life-threatening darkness that has been sweeping the nation and is closing in on their community. They sat and enjoyed a good meal with friends and family. Life in Haiti is heavier than we can even imagine as violent terrorists continue to steal, kill, rape, and destroy. Communities need these rare moments of joy to be able to continue on. Thank you for helping bring encouragement and light to those surrounded by darkness.

Since the event, the situation in town has deteriorated further. The gang that calls themselves the Taliban continues to press north. A group of vigilante fighters from surrounding areas began using the town as a base, going out to fight the gang daily. This past weekend, the two groups were fighting just a few minutes south of town, and several from both sides were killed.

With the fighting getting ever closer, the majority of residents fled, seeking refuge in nearby cities and mountain communities. Most of the PLH staff have fled with their families. All of our staff, program participants, community members, and the PLH campus are in God’s hands. Please join us in praying for safety for all and for deliverance for all of Haiti.

While we cannot see or imagine when or how this suffering will end, we know that God will have the victory. Evil will not reign forever. Darkness will not prevail.

PLH continues to seek God’s guidance for our work in this community and for expansion plans in the north.

Thank you for standing with Haiti and with PLH.

Your Prayers at Work

By Guesly Dessieux, PLH Founder & Executive Director

I want to thank you for your continued prayers for what has been going on at the Project Living Hope campus and in the surrounding area. The areas near the campus have experienced increasing difficulty over the last several months due to gang activity. Fighting between opposition forces and gangs has continued daily.

As I explained in my last update, just over a week ago, seven gang members came to town because they believed a funeral was happening that was connected to a resistance force. Since that incident, the gang members have left and have not returned. Thankfully, things have remained somewhat quiet. Families who had fled have begun to return, and many businesses have reopened.

We ask that you continue to pray, as the situation in the area and throughout the country remains critical. Please continue to pray for Project Living Hope—that all of our staff and the campus will remain safe and protected. Some of our staff members have returned to work, and we ask for prayer for their safety and wisdom as they remain cautious. We have encouraged staff to take time off and be less visible during a time like this as they are more at risk working for a nonprofit organization. We do not plan to reopen our programs until the new year, at which time we will reassess the situation and determine if it is safe to reopen programs.

This past Friday, our operations manager met with town leaders and local pastors regarding the community gathering that was originally planned using the funds raised on Giving Tuesday. Together, they agreed that instead of holding one large gathering—which could present security challenges—each church will host a smaller gathering for their congregation and invite members of the surrounding community. These gatherings will provide men, women, and children with a hot meal and encouragement during these difficult times.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and support.

Christmas in Haiti

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY

This GivingTuesday, PLH raised funds to make Christmas special for our youth and staff. On December 22nd, PLH held a Christmas party for the youth that participate in our soccer, basketball and artisan programs as well as their parents. Everyone enjoyed a special time with song and dance performances, speeches from the PLH staff and coaches speaking on the vision and values of PLH, and a meal of rice, beans and chicken. Our staff estimate that there were over 600 people in attendance. The coaches enjoyed being able to meet and speak with so many parents. Because of your support on GivingTuesday, all the families received a gift of basic food supplies to help feed their family during the holidays. 310 bags were distributed to the families, each including rice, beans, oil and spaghetti. Parents shared their appreciation for the program and how glad they are to have a safe place for their kids to play and grow.

Thank you for supporting PLH on GivingTuesday and making this event possible!

STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY

In addition to the player party, PLH hosted a Christmas party for our staff and their families. This has been an annual event since 2018. PLH values family and encourages our staff to put their families first, be present parents to their children, and lead their families in following Christ. These parties are a chance for PLH to show our appreciation to our staff and their families and encourage them. Like the players’ families, each family received a gift of food supplies.

🐥 Giving Tuesday 2022

Giving Tuesday was a success! Because of the generosity of so many, we surpassed our goal! $5080 was raised and we have the funds to purchase 1000 chickens to fill the coops and start the laying hen flock.

The country has been effectively shut down since Sept 12 due to gang fighting and unrest. While we don’t know what the coming days, weeks, and months will hold, the laying hen flock will create jobs and sustainability which are critical in times like these.

We understand how many deserving organizations ask for support on Giving Tuesday, so we gratefully and humbly thank you for supporting Project Living Hope!