THE CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE INC

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and one of the poorest in the entire world. Although much international aid and numerous ngos flooded the country following the massive earthquake in 2010 and subsequent hurricanes, the country still struggles with basic issues of governance, inadequate resources, a poor economy and extreme poverty. This is particularly true in the neglected northeast where government involvement and international aid efforts are all but non-existent. Phaeton we are active in phaeton, a small village of approximately 3,000 located along the northeast coast of the country. Since the close of a sisal plantation in the 1980s, there has been no industry, little opportunity for employment, and people subsist on a variety of small scale informal commerce and fishing. There is no electricity, no reliable water system, or decent sanitation. The village exists in severe poverty, with 70% living on under 1.00 us per day, and although over half the population is under 24, there is virtually no organized schooling, job training, or social programs to support the community. Our remote location, far from the turmoil that has spread throughout most of the country, is our saving grace. In general, our village is insulated from much of the chaos that dominates most of the country, but life is increasingly difficult for the village. Nevertheless, we are currently able to hold to our mission and successfully run an elementary school with 120 kids and operate a medical clinic with a doctor. Here are some of our recent accomplishments: - currently, we provide basic schooling and a hot lunch which represents the only substantial feeding for most of the children. In collaboration with local leaders who are dedicated to creating better opportunities for their children, tci is working to improve the conditions and expand the school population to serve more children in need. We recently graduated our first 6th grade class of three students now attending private middle school in terrier rouge with tci's ongoing support. Plans remain ongoing to increase classrooms to make space available for more students. - we recognize that children cannot prosper if they and their parents are malnourished, have no reliable source of clean water, receive no basic medical care, and live in unsanitary conditions. And so we partner with other ngos who bring capabilities to address these challenges. - established and are now expanding a dynamic school garden. - worked with a local doctor to address the village medical needs by supporting his clinic and coordinating medical missions. A small medical clinic has been established in phaeton, haiti. Like any other place in the world, the people of phaeton want better lives for their children. By empowering, collaborating and supporting the local population and its leaders, tci is helping secure a brighter future for this community and its children.