World Relief responds in Haiti, click here for more details

World Relief - Haiti

In Haiti, a history of violence and instability has left the majority of the population in poverty and unable to read. As a result, radio is the most powerful medium in the country. It influences every aspect of the Haitians’ lives. Since 1959, Radio Lumiere has been broadcasting truth and Gospel messages into the homes of Haitians. Today, the radio station reaches into ninety percent of Haiti’s homes, and World Relief is a key partner in formulating the station’s messages. Many churches in Haiti practice a religion that mixes Christian tradition with voodoo or animist practices. People are hungry for the truth—and World Relief and the local church are using Radio Lumiere to bring the truth to Haiti’s people.

The Church at Work

Radio Lumiere reaches into 90 percent of homes in Haiti—serving as a tool to mobilize the Christian community in Haiti. Dr. Hubert Morquette, World Relief’s country director, and other leaders share regularly on the broadcast about health issues, cultural issues and spiritual issues—ministering to every aspect of the listeners’ lives.

When World Relief began working in the Port-au-Prince slums in 1996, most mothers did not have an option for clinical care for their children. The church-based community care program offered immunizations and nutritional support in the communities. Today, more than 4,000 mothers and children benefit from our health programs.

In 1999, the UN asked World Relief to bring together Protestant denominations, missions, non-governmental organizations and theological institutions, and to create a resolution on HIV/AIDS. Pastors and their congregations have learned the truth about AIDS and been trained to offer practical support for those living with the disease and in ways to stop its deadly spread. Today we work with more than 500 churches across the country to respond to AIDS through youth abstinence education, caring for those who are sick and reaching out to 10,000 orphans in the community. Peer educators lead their fellow youth to make wise decisions—more than 83,900 have vowed publicly to remain abstinent—and help hold them accountable to their public vows. Abstinence messages have reached more than 178,700 youth.

As World Relief speaks into the lives of the Haitian people on a regular basis through Radio Lumiere and local churches, we are seeing transformation in lives of Haiti’s people, her churches and her communities.