Stories from the field

Impactful moments of life change

A cultural exchange

Ten minutes from Mirebalais, the team began painting two houses for the Haiti Children’s Home construction project in Nirva. After a while, various construction workers began visiting to inspect the work. They came and went without saying very much to anyone. Later that day, the group learned why: painting is considered men’s work in Haiti. The construction workers, while suspicious at first, were amazed that the women could paint so well.

A healthy reflection

Five months ago, in a particularly poor area of Haiti, Matt met a small family. As part of two separate trips to Palto, with the Grace Point Church of God, he witnessed a transformation. Over time, a three-year-old boy would come to represent the unforgettable impact one church can have.

Saving smiles

When the team arrived in Haiti from Prince George their goal was to provide dental care. There was just one problem—they had no dental hygienist. The couple that had planned to lead this specialization was prevented from coming because of a family emergency. A last minute complication like this could have proven disastrous for another team...

Hunger

“We haven’t eaten anything for about a week.” The Mount Cheam Group met beside a small hut—surrounded by thistles and thorns. A few children peeked curiously around the corner. Everyone was focused on an elderly woman. Dressed in shambles, she repeated, “We haven’t eaten anything for about a week.”

Dr. Bob

More than twelve years ago, when Hungry For Life was an infant organization, a connection was made with a doctor from Cranbrook. Without a doubt, Dr. Bob’s compassion was greater than most. He was fixated on making a difference in Haiti, and partnered with HFL to make that happen.

A bit of light

The team was going up and down the hill carrying bricks to the project site. I was walking down the path when I saw Karyn, a team member, holding a baby and walking beside a little girl. Karyn had seen the girl, Salama, carrying her little brother up the steep hill, along with a huge backpack on her back. Every day after school she would pick him up from her mom’s work and take care of him for the rest of the day.