Recently, a coalition of armed gangs launched a violent assault on the mountaintop villages surrounding us. Homes were set on fire, farmers and their livestock were killed, and thousands of innocent people were forced to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. “With gangs already controlling more than 90% of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, a takeover of Kenscoff would be catastrophic”, stated by Johnny Fils-Aimé of the Miami Herald

The attack, led by the powerful Viv Ansanm gang, has shown just how far their reach extends and how no one is immune to their brutality. These gangs arrived on horseback, armed with heavy ammunition, and took over a local church as their headquarters. In the chaos, at least 60 lives were lost, and more than 3,000 people were displaced. Many now seek shelter in churches, hospitals, and even the mayor’s office. This situation has underscored the failings of Haiti’s response, including the lack of planning, coordination and operations by the national police, whose director has come under increased scrutiny after the attack.

You may be wondering, why Kenscoff? Our town sits in a critical location southeast of Port-au-Prince, serving as the last road connection to Haiti’s southern regions, which have already been cut off due to gang control and the suspension of domestic flights. If these gangs gain control of Kenscoff, they would not only threaten the capital’s already fragile food supply but would also have a direct path to infiltrate the wealthy enclave of Pétion-Ville, one of the last remaining “safe” zones. Holding the line in Kenscoff is crucial—if the police, the army, and the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission can defend this community, it would strike a major blow to gang expansion at a time when Port-au-Prince is nearly overrun.

Because of the imminent danger, our main site was forced to close for two weeks in early February to limit movement in and out of the property and to keep everyone safe. The children in our crèche have been in “lockdown”, unable to attend school or church. Since the first attack, there has already been another attempt, but thanks to the efforts of the police and the local community, it was stopped before more harm could be done. We have backup plans in place in case we need to relocate the children and staff, but more than anything, we ask for your prayers—for protection, for peace, and for strength in the days ahead.

We are so grateful to God for His continued protection and to the Kenscoff community and police force, who have remained strong in the face of these terrifying attacks. Kenscoff’s mayor, Masillon Jean, told the Miami Herald that security forces have been deployed, and “we’re fighting to consolidate the efforts to reestablish security.”

Please know that your support means the world to us. We feel your prayers, and we rely on them now more than ever. Thank you for standing with us in this time of crisis.

With gratitude,
Chances for Children

How do you tell a mom whose child hasn’t eaten in days that due to the violence, work is closed, and she won’t be paid for the day? How do you tell a child he/she cannot go to school today because men with large guns block the road between home and school, which are only 15 yards apart? How do you tell a young man he must go to school hungry when he knows full well that if he joins a gang, he will be paid and can feed himself and his family too? How does a family find $10,000 or $50,000, or $100,000 (or more) to pay the ransom and get a loved one released from captivity?

As we reflect on the tumultuous stretch from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, it’s clear that Haitians faced an increasingly tough reality. The streets were marked by escalating gang violence, roadblocks, passionate protests, and simply unbearable living conditions. This turmoil even delayed the school year’s start until late 2022, leaving families with the agonizing choice of sending their kids to school amidst danger or keeping them safe at home.

Things reached a boiling point in April and May 2023, with gunshots ringing out across the country and law enforcement unable to provide much relief. People were even scared to venture out, even short distances, to buy essential goods. After pleading for international assistance, the people decided to take matters into their own hands, launching the “Bwa Kale” movement. We’ll spare you the gruesome and horrific details of this movement, but it did manage to push the gangs back temporarily, letting a fragile sense of normalcy return.

Yet, amidst these tough times, glimmers of hope persist, showcasing the sheer determination of the Haitian people. Navigating this storm has required Chances for Children to get creative, sometimes at a higher cost than anticipated. But it’s the unwavering support of our incredible donors that’s kept us going, allowing us to stand by Haiti’s children and families during these challenging moments.

In the face of unyielding hardships, Chances for Children has continued to work tirelessly to make a difference. In just the first half of 2023, we’ve been able to provide essential aid to the people and communities we serve. We have distributed food to over 7,000 kids every single month, provided 640 children access to education they might not have had otherwise, and reached over 1,100 children with medical care. The dedication of our Haitian staff has been commendable. It has been almost a year since we’ve had any of our American staff on the ground, but our operations haven’t missed a step. While Haiti’s struggles persist, so does Chances for Children’s mission.

To support this work and stand alongside the resilient people of Haiti, we invite you to make a donation today.

CLICK HERE to donate

Motivation is a temporary emotion. It rises up easily and frequently, but quickly fades with inaction. We see this all the time – diets become fads, New Year’s resolutions fade, organizations formed with the best of intentions, fail. Twenty percent of small businesses fail in the first 12 months, fifty percent within 5 years, and only 1/3 of organizations remain open 10 years later. In October, Chances for Children celebrates 16 years of serving the children and communities of Haiti with our 10^th annual Night of Hope fundraiser.

Haiti is a very difficult country to operate in, which may be understating the reality. At times it seems impossible to get things done. So the question is why has Chances for Children not only survived, but thrived in a country that chews up and spits out many people’s first wave of enthusiasm and motivation.

The answer to that question is this: while motivation is temporary, discipline is permanent. The leadership, staff and loyal supporters of C4C hold and share a common discipline and deep connection.  The result is a complete, functional team able to manage the challenges, and keep pushing the rock uphill in a chaotic country. C4C has a unique knack in achieving little victories. Daily victories add up, and end up transforming the lives of 1000’s of children.

Motivation is temporary, discipline is permanent. Discipline gives kids a chance at a healthier and more productive life.

We know many of you continue to support our programs and sponsor children – and we are very grateful for your commitment. C4C depends on all of you to help us uplift children and families. We are prayerful that the situation in Haiti will change, that the gangs will be eliminated and that all of you can return to serve alongside us. Until then we would love your suggestions on how best to keep our updates engaging and interesting. Please send a reply email to let us know of any ideas or thoughts you have on  how you would like to receive updates or interact with the kids or programs you support. Your involvement with C4C is critical to our success.

Here is a short update on what’s been happening the last 3 months in Haiti.

“Gangs are increasing their chokehold on Haiti’s capital, using bulldozers to raze entire neighborhoods, overwhelming poorly armed police and taking their violence to within blocks of the seat of government. While Haitians have endured relentless bloodshed and tragedy for years, the escalation of lawlessness in recent weeks and the government’s inability to exert control has terrified the nation.”

NY TIMES article June 30, 2022

“One gang, the G-9 Family and Allies run by a former policeman named Jimmy Chérizier, who is known as Barbecue, has gained control of  Cité Soleil, wresting it away from a rival gang, the G-pèp. In many ways, “Barbecue” embodies the reasons Haiti is where it is today: the country’s political and business elites have supported competing gangs to achieve their own objectives, whittling away any semblance of a functioning nation.” NY Times  The G-9 is believed to be supported by political figures seeking to suppress protests or to force the people to vote a certain way. Haiti’s big business families pay off gang members to advance their economic interests, including safe passage of their goods, which dock at Port-au-Prince’s ports. Gangs smuggle in large quantities of weapons and ammunition through the country’s seaports, shipments facilitated by government officials.

Pierre Espérance, the executive director of the National Human Rights Defense Network, a Haitian organization, states “Haiti’s big families are supporting the gangs to get what they want. They don’t want a stable situation, accountability or the ability of citizens to organize against them. Haitians are hostages.”

Meanwhile, inflation has increased nearly 26% over this time last year, making the price of goods virtually unattainable for over half the population. Fuel is in short supply causing prices to increase and making it difficult to provide power and transportation.

One of our staff members told us, “It is one thing to worry about fuel costs, it is another thing entirely to have to worry about dying on the way to school or the local market.”

What does the current situation mean for C4C and you? It means that we must find it within ourselves to be even more innovative in our approach and go above and beyond to carry out our mission each and every day. For example, if the roads leading to the north are blocked by gangs, then we find backroads to take. If trucks can’t deliver food because of the gang activity, then we load up motos to go over the mountains to deliver the food. If we can’t send doctors and nurses to see children, then we find ways to get the children to us.

Your financial support enables C4C to serve Haiti’s children even in these difficult times.

We all long for the day when we can return to Haiti to serve. At C4C our promise is to continue to put one foot in front of the other,  keeping the children of Haiti front and center in our thoughts and actions.  With your help, God’s grace and the dedicated team in Haiti we will not let the children of Haiti become forgotten.

Our Night of Hope fundraiser is right around the corner and we look forward to your support.