WHC worked with Fontaine community leaders to provide building materials for families in need of houses built while the community provides labor. This program is the first of various collaboration programs with the community.
WHC helps communities tackle physical/spiritual health issues by providing programs to build the community. We do this in a variety of ways:
- Digging water wells and installing pumps
- Distributing water filters for cleaner water
- Conducting sanitary and hygiene awareness education
- Building bathrooms
- Sponsoring local church pastors and providing seminars
- Renovating church buildings and building furniture for them
- Conducting Vacation Bible Schools (VBS)
State of Haiti
Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas, with a GDP per capita of US $870 in 2018. Out of Haiti’s 10.8 million residents, more than 6 million (56%) live under the national poverty line of US $2.42 a day, and more than 2.5 million (24%) live under the extreme poverty line of US $1.23 a day.
Though Haiti has 15,200 primary schools, 90% of them are private and managed by communities, religious organizations, or NGOs. Since many of the country’s population struggle financially, primary school enrollment is roughly 75 percent. According to the USAID, “an average Haitian, 25 years or older, has less than 5 years of schooling.” School fees can be prohibitively expensive for low-income families. But many programs that help to waive tuition fees are helping children finish school.
The enrollment rate for primary school is only 67%, and fewer than 30% of students reach 6th grade. Haiti’s literacy rate is 49% (UNESCO) . The country is also still struggling to recover from the 2010 earthquake that crippled its resources and infrastructure, as well as a 2016 hurricane.
Fontaine, Haiti is a city home to approximately 10,000 people, and most of its families live under the national poverty line. Students of Philadelphia Christian School and their families struggle to afford one meal a day, much less tuition.