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| Many primary and secondary schools across Haiti are using the Book of Hope, a magazine that relates the Scriptures to real life situations, as the basis for their religious education classes. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-1.JPG) |
HAITI — 200 years after gaining their freedom from France, the people of Haiti have still not escaped the slavery of poverty, illiteracy and political turmoil. For the ordinary people of this beautiful country, everyday life brings many challenges and anxieties. With its crumbling infrastructure and weak economy, Haiti offers few opportunities for young people, especially those whose parents have been unable to afford even a basic education for them. Many of those who do attend school later leave the island to seek a better life elsewhere.
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| Children like these are benefiting from the fact that many primary and secondary schools across Haiti are using the Book of Hope, a magazine that relates the Scriptures to real life situations, as the basis for their religious education classes. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-25.JPG) | Magda Victor, General Secretary of the Haitian Bible Society. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-12.JPG) |
But there is hope for a peaceful and prosperous future for Haiti. For the last five years, the Haitian Bible Society and its partners have been working to support the island’s children as they cope daily with poverty and conflict. In schools across the country, whether private or public, rich or poor, Roman Catholic or Protestant, biblical material such as the Book of Hope is now helping children to acquire the spiritual foundations and the literacy skills they desperately need.
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| Many primary and secondary schools across Haiti are using the Book of Hope, a magazine that relates the Scriptures to real life situations, as the basis for their religious education classes. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-21.JPG) | Many primary and secondary schools across Haiti are using the Book of Hope, a magazine that relates the Scriptures to real life situations, as the basis for their religious education classes. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-8.JPG) |
“This book [Book of Hope] shows you how to live with God in your life and what respect you should have for others,” says Sophia Jeune, a student at a public school in Petonville. “If young people read this book they can change their lives.”
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| A woman selling fruit at the roadside. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-14.JPG) | A woman selling souvenirs. Haiti. Photo: ABS/David Singer (HAI05DJ-5.JPG) |
The Bible Society has also set aside part of its limited resources over recent years to help the victims of the natural disasters that seem to hit the country with relentless regularity. Pastor Sylvio Joseph’s church was among those that received Bibles following floods in June 2004. He is grateful, but says there is still great demand for Bibles.
“We need more Bibles. Our people still have to share. Our resources are limited, so it’s vital that we have assistance.”
- See next article for news about the Haitian Bible Society’s most recent projects.
- For more information about the Book of Hope program, see Special Report 29/12.
- For more information about the Bible Society’s response to natural disasters, see Latest News #284 and #289.