How the Haiti Children & Youth Project is changing lives for the better

By Terri Lubin

While Jean Lubin, the founder of the Haiti Children & Youth Project, was in Haiti this past August 2022 he met a 19 year old young man near a abandoned house in the city of Jacmel. In the photo above the teen, Marvens, is standing to the left of Jean.

Marvens was suffering with a fungal skin infection all over his body, see photo below. He shared with Jean that he had been rejected by his family because they believe his skin rash is a punishment from a vodou spirit and are afraid that if he lives with them the spirit will do the same thing to them. When Jean offered to help Marvens replied hopelessly that nothing could be done for his infection and he was going to die anyway.

With the project's Medical Assistance fund Jean was able to buy antifungal medication as well as clean clothes, clean bed sheets, and food for Marvens. He arranged for Marvens to shower and helped him apply the medicated cream all over his body. Jean visited Marvens the next day and found him smiling, less discouraged. Marvens stated that the night before was the first time he had slept well since his skin infection started. Jean continued to visit Marvens daily to help him apply the antifungal cream which slowly cured his skin rash. Marvens is extremely thankful that the skin rash was gone and that he could return to his family.