Instruments of Christ Haiti (IOCH)

Instruments of Christ Haiti
The situation in Haiti continues to spiral. In the past four years we have personally witnessed the level of gang activity, hunger, extreme poverty, desperation, and a severe shortage of employment and education visibly go from bad to worse. Haitians are fleeing the country by any method possible and feel that the world has completely forgotten them in their suffering.

The education system in Haiti is in tatters. Throughout all rural Haiti courageous school directors are struggling to keep K-6 grade schools open. With no public funding, and a severely impoverished community unable to contribute, they often use much of their own finances to partially pay teachers to continue their important work. Amidst all this chaos, lives a new generation of children, as precious and loved by God as our own children, who desire to live a full and meaningful life.

How are we as the people of God called to respond? God is using Instruments of Christ- Haiti (IOCH) to bring the light of Christ and a hope for a better future to many of these children in Haiti. The primary mission of IOCH is to partner with Christian directors, teachers and communities so that the education and development of these children can continue. When IOCH directly provides a teacher’s monthly salary of 10,000 gourdes, (about $80 USD) it gives meaningful employment for the teacher to care for their family. The stability of regular monthly salaries for the school staff is a lifeline that God is using to encourage and strengthen communities that have nearly lost all hope.

In addition, IOCH provides rice for school lunches. Many children come to school hungry and struggle to learn because their parents have a difficult time consistently feeding them at home. The school community comes together to complete the rice by providing the oil, beans, and labor to cook a much-needed meal. It is extremely important to continue to challenge the parents and community to participate in the children’s education however they can. It is the goal of IOCH to bring assistance, not dependency. The dignity of each Haitian person is at stake. IOCH seeks to uplift and encourage all people to realize their potential to care for themselves, their families, and better their community. The presence of IOCH in each school gives hope that they are not alone in their desire to learn, develop, and grow into all that God has created them to be.

IOCH also provides basic infrastructure to schools as resources allow. Playgrounds, basic electricity through solar, and water filtration systems are provided for most of IOCH partner schools. Making paper copies for tests is a major hardship for teachers and directors. IOCH has addressed this need with a single laser copier at its headquarters, providing many thousands of copies to school directors upon request.

The most important priority is the regular and accurate presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All teachers attend semiannual seminars at IOCH headquarters to strengthen their educational skills as well as grow in their ability to accurately communicate to students the love and redemptive power of Christ.

God is using IOCH to confront the pressing needs of employment, education, hunger and share the hope of Christ throughout northern Haiti. Currently 30 schools, 265 teachers, and almost 4000 students are impacted daily by this work of God. We have watched in amazement as God has brought together an incredible team of Haitian leaders to do the work He has so clearly put before us. We are blessed by the wisdom and understanding that each member of our team brings to the work of IOCH.

Here’s how your gift can help – one time or monthly:

• $30 — 50 Lb Bag of Rice
• $150 — 250 Lbs of Rice
• $300 — 500 Lbs of Rice
• $750 — 1250 Lbs of Rice
• $80 — One month teacher’s salary
• $160 — Two teachers’ monthly salary
• $1,000 — Funds an entire school and their teachers for a month