Frontier Projects Haiti: Our Immediate Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Haiti

COVID19 REACHES HAITI

On Thursday, March 26, Haiti became one of the last Caribbean countries to report its first cases of COVID-19.  Covid-19 was officially detected in Haiti but the impact is only just beginning to be felt NOW.   

The President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise, called for the immediate shut down of all schools, factories, airports and borders. A daily curfew was put in place for all Haitian residents. ​​As of the posting of this blog (5/5/20), the nation of 11 million has so far only tested less than a thousand people for the deadly coronavirus and has 865 confirmed positive cases and 26 deaths. But most Haitians can't afford testing- let alone medical treatment.
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​While the economic implications are tough enough in Australia, the impact in Haiti for those already in such vulnerable situations can be devastating.The majority of Haitians do not have access to any preventative training or medical and health supplies needed to combat the disease if it grows rapidly.

We are also very aware that not being able to work in the future, may have disastrous implications for our Haitian families - and therefore - our sponsored children. 

Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, in a press statement at the National Palace, has revealed that the first two cases of people infected by the new coronavirus, COVID-19, have been detected.

FRONTIER PROJECTS: OUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

As Directors of Frontier Projects Haiti, John and I went into immediate meetings with the CEO of our Partner-NGO in Haiti: Reginald Celestin, from Light for Living International Ministries. Pastor Reggie works with our teachers from Bouvier School, our Love Community Home Parents, our Love Family Homes parents, our trainers at Libellule Training Academy and our Haitian Social Worker. We also began meeting regularly online with Johanne Celestin - our Programs' Administrative and Finance Co-ordinator and also our Social Worker, Yndjy Belvel, who works directly with our Love Community children, orphans and families. 

Meet our three core Haitian leaders below, who are working tirelessly in Haiti to care for our families and children.

KEEPING OUR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN SAFE DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC:

FRONTIER PROJECTS HAITI PROTOCOLS and PROGRAMS:

TEMPORARILY ​CLOSING OUR SCHOOL,
​TRAINING OUR FAMILIES & CHILDREN,
PROVIDING SANITATION AND HEALTH & MEDICAL KITS and RAISING FUNDS FOR DESPERATELY-NEEDED SOLAR POWER for our TRAINING CENTRE.

We are committing to the following priorities and will continue to respond to the situation as it may change:
1. CLOSING BOUVIER SCHOOL and TRAINING OUR TEACHERS
We have now closed Bouvier School in line with the Presidential order.  Our staff will use this time for meeting (with safe-distancing practices) for further training as groups of 10 or under are allowed in Haiti.
2. TRAINING OUR LEADERS, CHILDREN and FAMILIES  in SANITATION PRACTICES 
See photos HERE
3. PROVIDING VITAL MEDICAL, HEALTH and SANITATION SUPPLIES along with their usual MONTHLY FOOD SUPPLIES.
See photos HERE
4. CONTINUING our FROMZION- SPONSORED VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE for our Love Community mums, teaching them the trade of Pattern-making and Sewing! 
5. WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS and SPONSORS to continue to provide HEALTH CHECKS and SANITATION & MEDICAL/VITAMIN packages for our families.
If you would like to join us with funding the cost of a Family Sanitation and Medical/Vitamin Pack, you can Simply Give below: just click the DONATE button to give in a few simple steps.

Much love and thanks, Cheryl and John and all the children, families, orphans, students, teachers and leaders in Haiti. Blessings and stay safe. xxxx