Step Into My World: Northern Haiti

The light at the end of the tunnel is here! This is the 3rd to last Step Into My World post of the year. I've enjoyed posting these, but with the busy-ness of the Christmas season this month, combined with my work schedule, it's been hard to keep up with a proper schedule. But, I will have the remaining regions posted by the end of the year. More than anything, I want to have these photos and this information posted on my blog, because I'm sure Compassion will update the information in another year or so and I'll want to have the current information saved.

Anyway, enough incessant chatter, let's get to it.

Today, we learn more about Northern Haiti. I have one "child" who lives in this area:

Wendjy

Wendjy lives in the Northern city of Cap-Haitian. You can see it marked in red on the map. 

Out of the entire country, Northern Haiti has some of the most beautiful landscapes. Green fields, towering mountains, and sparkling blue rivers as far as the eye can see, in the rural areas. God sure did some wonderful work here. 

However, for those living in poverty, these beautiful landscapes are always a difficult terrain. The mountains make it impossible to travel, the rivers (which are a source of drinking water) are polluted, and the region experiences heavy rainfall for several months out of the year. Because cities and villages are situated in the valleys, extreme flooding is not unusual. These floods allow trash to pile up on shores, near people's homes. 

Homes here are either made of concrete blocks, as seen above or they are made out of tin sheets. Obviously, the concrete house are much more sturdy and ideal, as far as living conditions go. 

Schools in Northern Haiti typically don't have playgrounds or play areas for their students and after school, children are prone to wander the streets. Thankfully, Compassion provides their registered children with a safe place to play with their friends, away from the dangers of the streets. 

Compassion churches have also used additional funds, donated by sponsors, to build wells and water pumps, full of fresh, clean water for the children and the families in the community to use. This helps prevent water-borne diseases from spreading and making children sick. 

Of course, Compassion also teaches the children of Haiti about the bible and about God, who loves them very much. Children are taught memory verses and bible stories that relate to their lives. Through relationships with God, children are taught that they have value and are important in the world. 

Compassion Northern Haiti has the following prayer request for their children: 

- Pray that children will be able to make a difference in their communities through the teachings provided on hygiene and sanitation through the Child Sponsorship program. 

- Pray for the children in the Northern region, because many people in this area believe in and practice voodoo.