The Tucker's - 2020 Community of Hope Haiti Update "Blessed are the feet of those who bring good news!" Ready for some good news? For 5+ years, COHH has been "providing sustainable hope to the poorest of the poor in Haiti through God's love". 2020 has brought us through so much. It's also brought us "to" so much. COVID brought some of the COHH team back to the US March 24th. Our local community leaders have been brought to maturity through having to lead. The Lord has brought us to trust Him in what "Awakening a nation through the least of these" looks like. Please read below for great news in how you are making a huge impact with us at Community of Hope Haiti. Arise, shine!
Discipleship - "Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime" "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3.
In November 2019, Brian & Ryan began training 6 men to lead in supervisor roles in 4 COHH areas: House of Prayer & Community Center, Agriculture, Education, & Facilities. These "leaders-in-training", along with Ryan Gattoni (our amazing on-site director), meet every Tuesday to: grow in their leadership, plan, follow accountable to-do's, and solve problems together. Because of this training (introduced & coached by EOS implementer Dale Cooper). These leaders are learning business management skills to steward sustainable economic growth in COHH-created businesses, such as farming & ice distribution. We're not teaching them "US-based" principles...we're teaching biblical principles that are global in scope, timeless in application, and of great worth...today & in eternity. COHH is growing in impact locally...for the people...by the people. Water! Ice! Solar Power!
Not anymore! For 5 years we've battled to make fresh water a reality. Thanks to you, COHH's solar power is up & running. We can now provide electricity for water desalination & ice production. Teams will install water desalination units in the next few months. Four amazing groups have helped make fresh water, ice, & power a reality.2 Families in our villages will have access to:
Education - School is in Session! Ecole Communautaire De L'Espoir D'Haïti, aka Lekol COHH, is finishing its 3rd year offering 7th-10th grade to 111 students from 5 villages in our area. Our 19 full-time teachers & staff are so honored to provide our kids hope with the 1st school past 6th grade! While mainland Haiti shut down their schools for 9 out of 10 months due to political unrest, Lekol COHH missed 3..due to COVID. We are in Q4 for School year 2019-20 now, and final exams are Oct. 7-12. Please pray for our 27 9th graders, who take their National exam Oct. 12-14.
There's no greater impact in the lives of families in our villages than through Lekol COHH. Over 800 kids get a daily meal. Kids no longer are shipped off to mainland Haiti after 6th grade to find schooling. As a result families are staying together, kids are not being abused or trafficked, families can invest the extra money they'd pay for 2nd housing for their kids in their own family's needs, and kids are hearing and receiving the love of God through Lekol COHH's bible courses, House of Prayer, & new youth group.
School year 2020-21 begins Nov. 9th, and we'll add 11th grade. We need to hire 5 new teachers and a new principal. We've also grown out of the school space that we rent, and need a new building....as we expect 150+ students this year! Please pray for us, as this project is major. Agriculture - Sustainable Hope via Food and Jobs COHH's 118 acres of farmland are being transformed! 18 fenced acres of "rock garden"...whose rocks were removed to build the 454 ft. pier) is blooming. Two agriculture supervisors are leading & teaching team members and students participating in Work-Study how to work with joy & integrity. They are seeing fruit from their own hands in so many ways, including the following:
Community Development Christ-centered hope has been our focus at COHH. Our "for the people, by the people" approach to community development gives families honor, value, & ownership when they build it with their hands. Jobs created restores father-child relationships. You've given hope in the following ways in 2020 -
What's Coming? The Future is bright "Cooperative" best describes COHH's bright future. The foundation is firm, as most infrastructure for sustainable long-term impact is in place. Several people have expressed interest in partnering in short, mid, and long-term service in Grand Vide. COHH financial, organizational, & training systems are being improved in both the US and Haiti. The Tucker family will stay school year 2020-21 in the US, but Brian will go back & forth every 2 months for two week trips. He'll be able to facilitate local meetings, lead small teams from the US, & help serve Ryan & the haitian supervisors in training. Ryan's on-site full-time in Grand Vide, and is directing Haiti based operations.
What's to come that's already funded?
What's to come that needs your partnership? Operational & capital needs
Give to support COHH's efforts Coming Soon - Tucker family blog Coming Soon - Community of Hope Haiti End of Year Celebration Event & Fundraiser |