After living and working here in Haiti for over 33 years, we began to understand more about the life of the poor.

We used to think, “Why do these poor women have children they cannot afford?” It is a very complicated thing.

As soon as one is married, the woman is expected to have a child. It could be embarrassing to the man if he cannot produce a child, even if it is the fault of the mother.

The second problem is that all poor Haitians count on their children as their “social security.” There is no social security plan in Haiti, no government help or housing, no monthly checks, and no welfare or death benefits. There are no “free food programs,” and most of the poor are uneducated. All these things are against them.

It is difficult for a poor woman to afford the price of a moto (motorbike) to come down the mountains to get birth control. And Haiti not only has gangs but many other obstacles. There is little clean water, poor soil, and very few jobs. So, the only time these mothers can smile is when they come to the “beautiful, first-class Birthing Center.”

They have the best “delivery nurses,” a beautiful clean room to rest in, good food, and clothes for their newborn. They leave “with more hope” that their lives will be better, and you, our partners, “give them this hope!”

Thank you!!
Sherry