In November of 2003, Living Hope Mission established Centre Vision d'Espoir to minister to malnourished children in the communities of Quartier Morin, Carrefour Lamort and Mazere. Madame Kesnel Jean, a Haitian nurse and administrator, runs the program. Every six months, fifty children enter the program. Two days each week they meet at the center where they receive a high calorie, well-balanced meal. They also are given lessons in many different subjects that impact their health. These include hygeine, nutrition, basics on vegetable gardening and raising goats, Bible classes, and how to avoid many different diseases. On weekends, children are given a dry ration to take home with them. Some children who are particularly malnourished receive canned milk to take home. Once a month, children are weighed and given a general check-up. Children who show signs of illness are treated or in some cases sent to the general hospital for further treatment. In addition, once during their six month cycle, they are provided with a dental check-up, treatment for cavities, and information on the importance of oral hygiene.
 

Parents of the children are required to volunteer at the center on a regular basis. They attend classes on family planning, hygiene, preparing well-balanced meals, and how to keep their children healthy, using the small resources they have. They become part of a group of parents who work together and support each other in dealing with the problem of malnutrition. At the end of the six month period, children who have moved into the normal weight range for their height and age graduate from the program. Those that still are underweight repeat the six month cycle. Some are tested for serious illnesses (such as HIV) which may be the underlying cause of their problem.

LHM is excited about this program and the impact it is already having on the children of Carrefour Lamort, Quartier Morin and Mazere. If you would like to help, please contact us.
 

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