T.S. Eliot said that the home is where one starts from. It’s the place a child learns his value and how others perceive him. Home is where the child’s own view of the world begins to be molded. It’s the place which first defines his understanding of love, family, and safety. Continue to read as Christi Gabhart shares individual stories of families who have been blessed by the MH4H Safe Homes Program.

Can you imagine not having a safe place to sleep? Many in Haiti face this reality because of living In a home like this. Health problems are evident when a family lives in these conditions.

(L to R)  MH Chaplain, Pastor Jean Ronel, MH Construction Coordinator, Jean Rene DeForge, and MH Chaplain, Pastor Lumanes.

After the screening process is completed by MH ‘new home build committee’, construction can begin. The Safe Homes program focuses on families whose homes are simply NOT SAFE to live in. A family who has been identified to received a new home through the generosity of an individual, a team, a church, or maybe a sponsor of a child in a MH program can be plagued by such tremendous hardship that they may have very few belongings. This was painting day so everything was moved out of the house.

The construction of a new home is always through a Haitian boss who hires a crew to complete the work. MH4H Construction Coordinator, Jean Rene DeForge, hires the boss, purchases the materials, and oversees the project.

List of Construction Supplies

Idanise is in MH First Thousand Days program. Her sponsor gave a gift of a new home with three rooms and a front porch where Idanise and her family can live and thrive and strive to face the daily challenges that exist when living in poverty.

Babouzout was basically homeless, having spent some time living in a chicken coop. Because of this new safe home, daughter Elvie was able to move back from living in Cap Haitien and is now caring for her mother who has been in poor health for a long time

Others that have received this gift of a new home have been touched by MH in various ways. Maybe as a handicapped individual who has been given a mobility cart through MH. A house that burned to the ground one Sunday morning was replaced because of a donation through MH. A family may live close to MH campus in Sylvain or could live several miles away in a neighboring community.

Overflowing gratitude is the consistent response that brings healing to a wounded soul. By providing access to safe homes, MH is helping to restore people’s physical and psychological health and bring Light into a dark world.

MH will never come to the end of the requests brought by people in desperate need. As God continues to inspire people to live generously, MH will continue to work in relationship with people, transforming together through the presence of Jesus Christ.