How Can I Help?

I have been getting asked the same question a lot lately; How can we help Haiti?

First of all, thank you for caring, thinking of Haiti and even asking questions like this. Thank you. Haiti has been through a lot, not just in the month of February but in general. Haiti is a hard place to live where people struggle to put food on the table, get from point A to point B, and to stay in good health. I have made a very short list of some ideas of ways to help Haiti that came to mind.

1) Prayer. I know this seems like the most often thing people respond with, but I believe it to be true. Haiti needs prayer. Prayer for jobs, education, healthcare, resources, etc. Please keep Haiti in your prayers. 

2) Support ministries that are making a difference. Haiti is in no short supply of ministries. Of course it is always important to do your research and be sure that your money is actually going to help people and not just ending up in the pockets of others. I am obviously very passionate about Kids Alive. We have been in Haiti for 16 years and are truly making a huge difference. We believe in keeping families together and supporting people in a way that is best for long term solutions. We do take kids in, but only in situations of true abandonment or abuse. The majority of our ministry is done within families that live in the community. We supply them with education, healthcare and food. Their children come to our school and receive a quality education, three meals a day and are raised within the church. We are also expanding our program to include trade programs, bible studies as well as many other avenues. Kids Alive is one of the highest rated charities according to Charity Navigator, you can rest assured that your money is making a huge impact on Haiti when you donate. 

You can support Kids Alive Haiti by going to: http://secure.kidsalive.org/p-126-support-our-ministries-in-haiti.aspx?_ga=2.115658498.588033836.1550767496-1726170907.1514147890

3) Support my mission work. Supporting a missionary is an excellent way to support Haiti. By supporting a missionary you are supporting all that they do for their ministry.  I work at Kids Alive as our communications liaison, English teacher and psychologist. I also support a small church teaching English there and participating in their services. When you support a missionary you are also supporting the Haitian economy through the missionary's food, transportation, rent, medical needs, as well as who they employ. I personally employ two people and feel so blessed to be able to have created jobs for them. 

You can support me by going to: http://www.kidsalive.org/cassidyparent 

4) Support missions that are creating jobs for people here in Haiti. There are a ton to choose from but I have put three below here, ones that I know the owners of personally and trust in their work. 

- New Roots Haiti. This is a non-profit serving in Haiti that is creating both jobs for families as well as delicious, organic, safe meat for people in Haiti. I personally buy all of my chicken from them. They educate and employ Haitians through their farm. It is a wonderful organization run by wonderful people, that is making a huge impact on the community.

 Check out the link to donate or for more information:  http://www.newrootshaiti.org/donate/

-Rosie's Boutique is owned and run by a woman that I met a few years ago. She buys many products from various venders to support their work in Haiti and then sells them at her boutique. Plus she employs people at the Boutique itself. If you are interested in some beautiful house items, cards, jewelry, etc. check out her shop at: https://www.rosiesboutiquehaiti.com

-ViBella Jewelry. This is a shop that is selling beautiful jewelry that is made in Haiti. This is a big benefit to the Haitian economy. They have around 60 artisans working in Haiti to be able to make these gorgeous pieces that are benefitting from the jobs. It is so important to remember where we shop can have an impact. My friend Justine sells the products, check out her link here: https://www.myvibellajewelry.com/JUSTINE/

As you can see there are many ways that you can help Haiti. Please be praying, but also be supporting ministries and missionaries who are on the ground making a difference day after day. Remember to support organizations that employ Haitians, and buy products in Haiti to help the economy and keep people employed.

I thank everyone who has asked what they can do for Haiti, and while this list is in no way inclusive by any means, I can stand behind the people that I am sharing with you. I thank everyone who has Haiti on their heart lately and please be continuing to pray for change.