The sun beat down hot and white.
We wound our way through the alleyways and into a ravine littered with trash. When it rains, the banks fill with water, flooding into the homes that sit on the ravine's edge. Black pigs scrounge for food among the rocks, children play and run up the ravine, hopping over the rocks, pulling their school bags, the ribbons in their hair bouncing in the afternoon breeze.

Gaston is living with HIV/AIDS. And this ravine is his home. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. A history of political upheaval has left Haiti in economic shambles. HIV/AIDS, a disease more commonly attributed to Africa or India, has slowly crept into Haiti and begun making lives extremely difficult.

Gaston found out he had HIV/AIDS one year ago. And he was near death. Unable to walk on his own, and convinced he was going to die, Gaston had given up.

FH runs support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS, where people come together with their common problem and together seek a common solution. Gaston was connected with anti-retroviral drugs, which greatly boosted his body's ability to fight disease, and he was connected to an FH support group. There he received psycho-social support, education and most importantly, relationships with other people struggling with the same things he was struggling with.

“The comfort I found there is the most precious gift I could ever receive even better than the financial and nutritional support provided there,” said Gaston.

Today Gaston smiles widely, talking about how he has a deep love for children and adopted a child from a woman who didn't want her child. Gaston stood and explained how he is well enough now to practice Judo and displayed some Judo moves with his son.

FH repaired one of the rooms of his small home, preventing leaks when the rains come, and improving his quality of life. FH also sponsors one of Gaston's sons in his primary education, providing a much needed financial reprieve to Gaston. Gaston excitedly exclaimed that he is well enough now to work, and has continued driving trucks for a living and has also learned how to weld metal.

From death to life, Gaston's excellent physical condition is remarkable. "What FH has done for me, I could go around the world to talk about," he said. "On Saturdays I go on runs for three hours. One year ago I couldn't even stand on my own, I had to use a walker."

"I feel well. Nothing has more worth than life," he said grinning. Gaston explained his dream to create films. He has already written three screenplays.

Life. Returned. Gaston turned and walked proudly down the ravine, waving at the neighbors, explaining how the stigma of HIV is still so high people are prevented from seeking help because of the fear of humiliation, something the FH support group helps to defeat. Gaston's health, energy and vitality have returned, and he thanks God for the miracle of each day he continues to live, despite his disease.

"I am in a fight," said Gaston. "And I hope before the end of the battle that I will have a victory."

WHERE

+ Democratic Republic
-- of Congo
+ Ethiopia
+ Kenya
+ Rwanda
+ Uganda

 

+ FH HISTORY:

FH responded to an emergency situation in Haiti just as FH was being created as an organization in 1971. Haiti is a country with significant needs, and is arguably the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

FH opened an office in Haiti in 2008 in response to the needs of the country while capitalizing on FH’s expertise in the Dominican Republic next door.

FH would like to have a long term, dynamic participation in Haiti's endeavor to overcome all forms of poverty. For this reason, FH has begun implementing Health programs, a child development program and a church development program country wide.

+ haiti's HISTORY:

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Haiti has been plagued by political violence and lawlessness for most of its history leading to terrible chaos, hampered access to basic services, and limited humanitarian assistance.

Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation.

While the economy has recovered in recent years, registering positive growth since 2005, four tropical storms in 2008 severely damaged the transportation infrastructure and agricultural sector. Other major challenges facing Haitians are chronic malnutrition which is at 17% average and in some areas more than 70%. Also, roughly half of the population practices voodoo.

+ FACTS:

+ Haiti is characterized by extreme poverty where 54% of the population lives on less than $1 per day.

+ Chronic malnutrition is 17% average and in some areas is more than 70%.

+ Only a little over half of primary school-age children are enrolled in school. Less than 2% of children finish secondary school.

+ Haiti has the highest rates of infant, under-five and maternal mortality in the Western hemisphere. Diarrhea, respiratory infections, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are the leading causes of death.

+ As many as 2,000 children a year are trafficked to the Dominican Republic, often with their parents’ support.

+ Facts From: UNICEF

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