Dear Sponsors,
First, I can’t personally thank you enough for your continued support. Your faithful monthly contribution to support your student(s) is what continues to put food on the table, nutrients in bodies, education in minds, clothing on backs, roofs over heads, hope in hearts, and security for all. It is quite overwhelming and I wish I had the words to describe the scope of what goes on behind the scenes and how each of you have a direct impact on that.
The current crisis in Haiti is beyond what any of us could have ever imagined. We did not foresee a day when it would not be safe to go to Haiti. I think about you all often, not only with gratitude but also with empathy. Many of you are just like me. You have traveled to Haiti with Give Hope, bonded with students and you genuinely miss them, long to go see them again, and just want to give them one more hug. And for those of you who haven't met your student in person- you’ve invested in them and likely prayed for them for years.
When Give Hope Global launched its sponsorship program a decade ago to help our students in Haiti, it was so easy to write letters back and forth, send pictures and care packages. But now, with the inability to travel, that has become more difficult.
Just this month, M.A.F, a missionary flight organization we have utilized in the past for sending supplies, discontinued their services to Haiti because of safety concerns. This complicates things even more. While there may be a pause on sending care packages and receiving letters and photos, your faithfulness keeps the daily care going. We must keep the faith that this shadow is only temporary and the sun will shine through soon.
With desperate times in Haiti, come desperate measures and we have seen an increase of students reaching out to their sponsors or previous trip members. There is a huge language barrier with communication and it’s unfortunate, but some students have learned exact phrases to say in English to request money. In these cases, the best thing to do is to reach out to me or direct the student to me. They should always know how to contact me. If they tell you they don’t know how to get in touch with Give Hope, that is a sure sign there is a language barrier or they are asking you for something they know they should not be asking for.
In partnering with Pastor Louis St. Germain on the ground, we have been able to reunite many of the older students. When a student is reunited that means that they have a family member they can live with and acceptable living conditions. They are able to remain in our online secondary school with a provided device or sent to school with financial support. They are also able to help their family with a monthly financial stipend (provided by Give Hope) for food and necessities.
With all of that said, I’m always here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you would like an update. I love checking in with students for our sponsors and hoping that technology is our answer to connecting you and your students.
I can’t say it enough, so one more time… thank you. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters in Haiti right now.
God Bless You All,
Lynsey Waddle
Lynsey Waddle | Sponsorship Coordinator & Education Advisor
a: Give Hope Global | PO Box 2071 | Fort Mill, SC 29716
e: lynsey@givehopeglobal.org
m: 980-241-2604
