Click here to read an article in Christian Science Monitor about Haiti Partners work in social business to improve quality of education in Haiti.

Today is the 2^nd anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. It will be marked across the country by services of remembrance for the dead, but also the celebration of life. Meanwhile, the work of building a better future goes on. We’ve filmed a special update video to bring you up-to-date on the situation in Haiti, as well as the progress you’re making possible through Haiti Partners’ work in education. We’re grateful for your continued commitment and prayers, today and in the days ahead.

In this video the Haiti Partners WOZO youth choir sings to commemorate the 2 year anniversary of the earthquake.  The song was written and arranged by choir director, Alex Myril, and Merline Engle.  Lyrics can be found below.

January 12th, a day of terror and tears.
Eyes and hearts of Haitians filled with pain,
January 12th, a day of terror and tears.
Eyes and hearts of Haitians filled with pain
A horrific disaster, followed by cholera, and misery
take so many to their death

Your blood spilled,
and your souls live on and you are with us,
Giving your fellow Haitians strength
for the work of rebuilding Haiti

On this somber second anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, we remain hopeful because of all the important work that has been accomplished and all the great partners that have worked together with us to make it happen.

Two extraordinarily committed partners in this work have been Jesse Engle and Scott Henderson.  With their help along with funds from Vista Hermosa Foundation, we created this video, “Bridge to a Better Life”.  Thank you, Jesse, Scott and Vista Hermosa for all you do, and we look forward to a long, productive partnership helping Haitians change Haiti together!

This month marks two years since the earthquake. The message being broadcasted in the media right now is: there’s little change and Haitians continue to suffer in spite of so much aid.

There is truth to that—but it’s not the whole truth because people like you, who are contributing to Haiti Partners, need to know that your dollars have made and are making a real, tangible, hopeful difference every day!

Thanks to your support and Haiti Partners strong network of schools and partners, together we have:

• Built and staffed 42 classrooms for Haitian children.
• Trained thousands of teachers and grassroots leaders.
• Distributed 15,000 Creole Bibles, and are providing 15 Haitian leaders with seminary scholarships.
• Begun construction on the Children’s Academy, which is slated to receive its first 50 students in September.

Last month, 35 educators and grassroots leaders completed our 3-year Leaders Program. These Haitian leaders talked about how much this training has meant in helping them to create community projects, to find meaningful employment, and to improve their organizations. Their stories are a powerful testimony of how your support is helping Haitians change Haiti.

Thank you for being with us in this work!

John and Kent

We finish this year with profound gratitude for our friends and colleagues in Haiti, the U.S., Canada, and around the world. We start the New Year excited about what is ahead in our journey together.

We pray that 2011 is marked by peace, joy, and hope for you and your loved ones. And of course we’re praying–and working–for the same in Haiti.

If you and your friends are still looking for ways to give at the end of this year, please consider a gift to Haiti Partners. Any gifts given by midnight tonight will be doubled, up to $100,000, by a generous grant by our friends and partners at the Vista Hermosa Foundation.

Changing lives through education is a great way to end one year and move into a new one: http://www.haitipartners.org/donate/

So, thank you! The choir sings for you in the video below–as a small sign of our love and gratitude for you.

Happy New Year from all of us at Haiti Partners!

My co-workers and I (John Engle) were thrilled to host in Haiti the WorldBlu team December 10-17. Their training on organizational and workplace democracy for our partner school leadership teams and for 35 people in our LEADERS Program was incredible.

We are so grateful to Vista Hermosa Foundation for making their visit possible. WorldBlu team also participated in Open Haiti Camp open space meeting, that was a follow-up to TEDx Port-au-Prince, and met with business and NGO leaders. Haiti Partners is deeply grateful to be part of the WorldBlu worldwide network of democratic workplaces. Thank you for making time available, WorldBlu team, to spend time in Haiti to help us build better schools and institutions!

Click on links below for albums of photos:
Habitat Santo Visit
Visiting Partner Schools
Seminar for Partner Schools Leadership Teams
LEADERS Program Seminar
WORLDBLU, Miranda Ash’s Photos

At this time of year as we remember God’s love being with us in Jesus, we’re filled with gratitude and hope. It’s also a time for us to thank you for your generous commitment to helping people in Haiti. We’re deeply grateful to have friends and partners like you.

Here is a song from the Haiti Partners Youth Choir, sung for you.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Haiti Partners!

The following is an excerpt from an article written for InterVarsity USA by Kent Annan

I’ve never donned a beard or red suit for Christmas. So far that’s my personal line.

But something happens when you have kids. Categories of cool, kitsch, hip, or tacky no longer matter much. It’s a short distance from this to mowing the lawn wearing black dress tube socks with sandals and a Santa hat (I live in Florida; this is possible). But mostly the shift is a good, liberating change.

Why? Because you’re freed from caring what others think of you, and even a bit from what you think of you, into concentrating more on how you can love others. In this case, particularly one’s children.

Our hand-me-down Christmas tree, though plastic, has lost half its needles, but I love it because my two-year-old son and six-year-old daughter love it. I hung Christmas lights on the house for the first time in my life, a simple line of colorful LED icicles across the top of the garage. Yet the kids proudly cheered.

Last night I was preparing our kids to go to the town Christmas parade, which pre-progeny I would have avoided. Just before getting in the car I received a text from a family my wife and I remain very close to from our time living and working in Haiti…[read more]

My co-workers and I (John Engle) are having a wonderful time hosting WorldBlu team in Haiti this week. They’re putting photos and updates on their Facebook page. Click here.

We are so grateful to Vista Hermosa Foundation for making their visit possible. In addition to them participating in Open Haiti Camp open space meeting, that was a follow-up to TEDx Port-au-Prince, they’re networking with business and NGO people and will do seminars for leadership teams of Haiti Partners partner schools and for 35 participants in our LEADERS program. Thank you for being here, WorldBlu!
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