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Feeding Haiti's Future
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For hungry children, school is a place that offers more than the basics of arithmetic or science. It can also provide their only meals for the day. As Reed Galin reports, a program sponsored by the United Methodist Committee on Relief is assisting schools in Haiti, where poor families often have to choose between tuition and groceries. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Port au Prince, Haiti)
In Haiti, the cost to educate a child is higher than anywhere else in the world.
The Methodist Church of Haiti operates 81 schools throughout the country, with over 16,000 children.
The Rev. Gesner Paul / Methodist Church of Haiti: “Today we are going to feed 130.”
It’s lunchtime for these grade-schoolers, but for some this could very well be their breakfast…lunch...and dinner.
The Rev. Gesner Paul / Methodist Church of Haiti: “This could be the most important meal for them for the day.”
In dirt-poor Haiti, many families sacrifice everything to send a child to school. This often creates conflict between paying tuition and feeding the family.
The Rev. Gesner Paul / Methodist Church of Haiti: “So when they get a hot lunch here at school, it is the only meal they can get for the day.”
Without the partnership of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and churches throughout Michigan, this midday meal would not be possible.
Pastor with student: “They say they would like to have it every day.”
In the past year, rising costs have reduced meals from five days a week to three - something administrators worry about.
The Rev. Gesner Paul / Methodist Church of Haiti: “And you know, the kid who doesn’t have anything to eat cannot learn at school.”
Up to now, this program has been responsible for improving the health of students and increasing test scores. With rising costs and an uncertain future, it’s not surprising every grain of rice is treated as though it may be the last.
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Besides the obvious benefits the children receive in having a hot meal, this program also serves each community in other ways. It provides employment for cooks, and much of the food is purchased from local merchants.
For more information on how you
can participate in this program you can go to the Web site for the
United Methodist Committee on Relief at:
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/haitiprojects.stm.