Pictures of Progress

Two years ago, Jake Barreth was in Port Au Prince serving as GO Haiti’s Field Director, where he often wrestled with the question – What happens to these children when they turn 18? By law, they can no longer live in the local church’s home. In the US, the statistics around children who age out of the foster care system are bleak. In Haiti, with no real safety net, what kind of life awaits an orphan who has been tossed to the street? The question cried out for a better answer.

Meetings occurred. Plans were drawn. Budgets developed. Funds sent, but today, the greatest pictures of progress are captured in the daily lives of the first GO Haiti Pathways class.

This month, we launched the two-year Pathways program to help 21 students, aged 18-20, develop skills they will need to succeed as adults. They are learning to be tailors and farmers. They are studying English and the Bible. They are developing practical, professional talents through presentations, meeting deadlines, and working with others. And, at the end of the day, if the students blow off a little steam by talking trash with their classmates in a friendly game of hoops? Well, that’s a picture of progress that makes us all smile.

Eleven of the Pathways students still need financial support. To learn more about investing in the lives of one of God’s older kids, please contact Adrien Lewis.