OVERVIEW The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020.
On Thursday, March 26, Haiti became one of the last Caribbean countries to report its first cases of COVID-19. The President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise, called for the immediate shut down of all schools, universities, vocational centers, factories, airports and borders - and a daily curfew was put in place for all Haitian residents.
In 2021, mask wearing is required in public and in instances where social distancing cannot be maintained. But most Haitians can't afford testing- let alone medical treatment.
Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, in a press statement at the National Palace, in March, 2020.
While the economic implications are tough enough in Australia, the impact in Haiti for those already in such vulnerable situations is already 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, is having serious implications for our Haitian families - and therefore - our sponsored children.
FRONTIER PROJECTS: OUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
As Directors of Frontier Projects Haiti, John and Cheryl went into immediate meetings in early 2020, with the CEO of our Partner-NGO in Haiti: Reginald Celestin, from Light for Living International Ministries. Reginald then met with the following leaders and parents, to put our Protocols into place: 1) our teachers from Bouvier School, 2) our social worker Yndjy Belval, 3) our Love Community Home Parents, 4) our Love Family Homes parents, and 5) our trainers at Libellule Training Academy.
Cheryl and John continue to meet regularly online with Reginald andJohanne Celestin - Johanne is 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 CLOSED OUR SCHOOL in 2020 (MARCH - AUGUST as per government direction), *TRAINING OUR FAMILIES & CHILDREN and PROVIDING SANITATION AND HEALTH & MEDICAL KITS
We committed to the following priorities and will continue to respond to the situation as it may change: 1. CLOSING of BOUVIER SCHOOL during the worst stages in 2020 - and if necessary in the future, and TRAINING FOR OUR TEACHERS We closed Bouvier School in 2020 for 8 weeks, in line with the Presidential order. Our staff used this time for FURTHER TRAINING... with safe-distancing practices- as a group of 10. 2. TRAINING OUR LEADERS, CHILDREN and FAMILIES in SANITATION PRACTICES See photos below. 3. PROVIDING VITAL MEDICAL, HEALTH and SANITATION SUPPLIES along with their usual MONTHLY FOOD SUPPLIES. See photos below. 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 canSimply Give HERE.
