November 10-13, 2014

Many partners and friends have asked us, “Why do the Haitian people have so many children,” and “do you teach birth control?” These are two very good questions.

 

The answer to the first question, and I hope I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings, is that Haiti is a predominately Catholic country.

 

They mostly believe that God is in control of how many children they have.

Also, and more importantly, is the fact that there is no Social Services System, no Government programs to help the poor, or any retirement programs either.

So culturally speaking, most of Haiti’s poor believe that if they have children they will grow up to take care of their parents.

Many also believe that they should have lots of children, because “some will die,” and others will live and take care of them. This is a very cultural belief.

 

Birth Control: Love A Child does provide birth control through our clinic and community outreach programs. We do not supply condoms, which are mostly used as “balloons” by the children of the poor, but safe and sustainable birth control. However, we have strict guidelines from the Government of Haiti that we must follow.

 

 

Mothers must have an examination first to make sure they are not pregnant at the time, and they are also required to receive counseling. Many poor mothers suffer from such bad health, that if they were to have another child, they would probably die.

 

For many of us in the States, we are taught about birth control from an early age and think of this as a lifestyle decision.

To the poor people in Haiti who live far in the mountains, (like the people in the tattered church) they have not been taught, or cannot afford birth control, or cannot make the many trips down the mountain to get it.

 

This is a VERY COMPLICATED PROBLEM. To those who love us, we pray that you will understand. We as missionaries are trying our best, but this HUGE PROBLEM begins at the “head” of the country.

 

 

A few missionaries cannot do this by themselves. I hope I have answered some of your concerns.

We love you!

Sherry