Dr Gueillant Dorcinvil, the President of Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission, wrote this letter on October 6 about the First Day of School in Haiti.

Never a First day like this one before!

Yesterday was the first school day for the 2011 -2012 year in Haiti.  It is our Tenth School year!  We are glad to report to you that all of our four schools have opened their doors and welcomed our students back!! On behalf of our board members, I called, welcomed our students and reminded them that we have great expectations of them.

This first day of school was very different from the past first days of school in the history of this nation. For the first time in 206 years of independence the government has taken steps to try to put all children from 6 to 12 to school. The government will try to fund this by charging 5 cents more per minute to any phone call made to Haiti and $ 1.50 to any money wire to Haiti.

President Joseph Michel Martely has acted on his campaign promise to send all Children age 6 to 12 to school before the end of his 5 year term in office. Yesterday, 142,000 children in first Grade who had never been to school before went to school for free (according to the government).  Furthermore the government said yesterday school will be free for 490,000 elementary students that are enrolled in public school. The Government promises to provide books, uniforms and meals to the elementary students.

Currently, 80 % of all schools in Haiti are Christian Mission schools.  The question is how the “free elementary school” pledge will affect the Christian schools? We know that the government schools have not been well managed in the past.  Furthermore, the government does not have the infrastructure to teach the 500,000 more kids that need to be in school.

Even if the government is able to bring all the children from age 6 to 12 to school, they will not have a free system beyond elementary school.  We know it is very hard for someone in this day and age to be successful with an elementary education.  Perhaps Missions will provide more secondary schools.  However, we need to remind ourselves we do not only provide education, but we offer Christian education.

Yesterday, during the first day of school, Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission excitedly sought to teach the ABCs, math, and to feed our students a balanced hot lunch. However, those things were not our priority. We brought all the students to the unfinished church building, we sang, we prayed, and we told them that we’re providing schools because of the love of Jesus Christ.  That’s a Christian School.  It is not a government program. It is a ministry.

I believe God will do great and mighty things for the nation of Haiti. I do not know how He will do it. But I do know whatever He will do, He will use his Church to accomplish it, for this is the only means of changing the world He has decided to use. I have proof of that: Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission!

As Always-  thank you for your prayers and your support!

Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission

9300 S. Dadeland Blvd Suite 103

Miami, FL 33156

LivingHopeHaiti.com