HAITI CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Who we are
We are a small group of Rose Charities volunteers in Canada, led by Haitian-Canadian Jean Lubin, who work closely with the Haitian non-government organization “Voix d'Espoir Communautaire” (Voice of Community Hope / VECOM) in Jacmel and Lavalee on Haiti's southern coast. “Voix d'Espoir Communautaire”, also led by volunteers, has a Christian foundation and welcomes participants of any faith to attend it's programs. We raise funds and receive donated sports equipment for the project activities. Jean Lubin and the Haitian committees plan, organize, and coordinate project activities with the help of many community volunteers and partners.
Soccer Camp
Held every August for children and youth. The camp activities include not only soccer for boys and girls but also singing, stories, arts and crafts, cultural games, health and social/spiritual education, and training on how to be environmentally responsible.
Daily nutritious snacks and complete, healthy meals are provided for all participants.
Youth Retreat
Youth are invited to attend this annual retreat during Haiti’s country wide “Carnaval”, a musical festival like Mardi Gras, held every February.
The retreat is a safer and more educational alternative to joining “Carnaval” festivities. The youth enjoy sports, education (health, cultural, spiritual, responsibilities as citizens, caring for the environment), skits and games, singing.
Bursaries
Annually, students with the greatest need are provided bursaries and school supplies are distributed to the Soccer Camp attendees.
This project activity benefits many as students in Haiti must pay annual school fees along with the cost of their school uniform and their school supplies. Students who previously could not afford to attend school or who had to drop out of school part way through the academic year because they were unable to pay the full tuition are nowable to start, resume, or continue their education.
MEAL PROGRAM
Haitian parents and guardians struggle to feed their families as the cost of food in Haiti has more than quadrupled in price since 2019 with rising inflation and the country's ongoing political insecurity.
Starting April 2022, the project in Jacmel provides a small meal or nutritious snack when students come to the project office to study and hang out before or after their classes. With the nutrition this daily food program provides it has been obvious that the recipients are better able to concentrate on their schoolwork.
Periodically the project also provides meals to seniors and disabled individuals.
EMERGENCY RELIEF
The Haiti Children & Youth Project provides emergency aide in response to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Food, soap, and water purification tablets were distributed in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in 2016 then several roofs on homes were replaced.
Numerous families in Les Cayes received financial assistance for food, other household items, medical or funeral bills, or to restart small businesses following the earthquake in southern Haiti the summer of 2021. Food and soap were also distributed to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
In Haiti, individuals pay directly for any medical services or treatment they require so many Haitians cannot afford to see a doctor even when they are sick.
The medical assistance fund helps those in need pay for medical assessment and tests, medications, and/or surgeries.
Our Story
Jean Lubin, a Haitian-Canadian who was born and raised in Haiti, began this project in 2012 after his first trip back to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. During this trip Jean visited the community of Miragoane in the south of Haiti along the northern coast. He was surprised by the number of orphaned children sent to live with family or friends in Miragoane after the earthquake and the level of poverty. Motivated to support his home country in some way, Jean developed a partnership with a few young men and women in Miragoane who were passionate about helping their community.
This collaboration led to planning a soccer camp for children and youth in Miragoane in August 2012 and the formation of a committee of leaders. The first soccer camp was a huge success so was continued every summer. Other project activities were added such as an annual youth retreat, donated goats for orphans, and a seed bank for farmers.
In February 2017, in partnership with the Haitian non-government organization “Source d'Espoir Communautaire” (Source of Community Hope / SECOM), the project successfully expanded to include the community of Lavalee located just north of the city of Jacmel on Haiti's southern coast. Project activities in Lavalee include soccer camp, youth retreat, and provision of school bursaries and school supplies. Unfortunately, later in 2017, the project left Miragoane due to leadership challenges and because their non-government organization certification expired.
In January 2021 the project began weekly activities for orphans in the city of Jacmel. With this second expansion of the project, to include both Lavalee and Jacmel, the Haitian leaders decided to change the name of the non-government organization (NGO) to “Voix d'Espoir Communautaire” (Voice of Community Hope / VECOM). “Voix d'Espoir Communautaire” is now the umbrella NGO for all Haiti Children & Youth Project activities and “Source d'Espoir Communautaire” (Source of Community Hope / SECOM) refers to project activities only in Lavalee. All project activities listed above are offered in both communities.
How You Can Help
If interested in this project, please consider helping out in one or more of the following ways:
Donate Financially
Even a small donation can make a difference. Our project is volunteer-run and 97% of your donation goes toward the project.
Donate Equipment
We are always happy to receive donations of soccer uniforms or equipment, skipping ropes, or any other much needed item.
Donate your Time
Tell others about this project, organize a fund raising event, contact us to volunteer your time and skills.
OUR VISION
We Want to See Children and Youth Succeed
We strive to bring hope through education and community activities. Thank you for donating to this project which supports children and youth who will be the next generation of leaders in Haiti.