Haiti: Rising above the Ruins

“Our country is knowing a deeply difficult period in its history. It’s amid dire challenges that we’re providing ministry. But we continue our work, training students to lead small groups and share the good news of Christ in our universities.” 

Descheny Laurent, staff in the IFES movement in Haiti (GBEUH), is determined to serve despite the devastating violence of recent months. 

Last year, Haiti’s political instability and humanitarian challenges gravely worsened. Armed groups stormed prisons, set free thousands of gang members, and took control of large parts of the capital (Port-au-Prince) and the surrounding areas.  

Since then, over 5,000 people have been killed and around one million displaced. Nearly half the population face acute food insecurity, and hospitals and schools are severely incapacitated. 

Descheny shares how this has impacted them: 

“We are deeply affected by the ongoing security crisis, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where many of our groups gathered. It’s become very difficult to have a normal academic year. Exam periods are often rescheduled multiple times. All this has prevented students from holding weekly meetings in person.” 

But they haven’t given up. The team now facilitates online Bible studies and leads discussions on how faith relates to the immediate and wider challenges they face. 

Marc Pulvar, IFES Regional Secretary for the Caribbean, says: 

“Doing student ministry in Haiti means building and rebuilding in relentless adversity. Faced with severe economic hardship, pervasive social challenges, and a dangerous security situation, student leaders are persevering despite the odds. Even in these harsh conditions, there is a deep commitment to serve the campuses in their country.”    

Ony Pierre-Louis, studying social work, shares how GBEUH has helped him: 

“I’ve gained a better understanding of God’s character and his plan for us as his creatures. And I love using the Bible study method I’ve learned with the young people in my group at church.” 

As an expression of solidarity with what is now the poorest nation in the Americas, the IFES Caribbean team dedicated last November’s Gift Week to raising funds for GBEUH Haiti – for outreach activities, office equipment, and staff salary. One of the regional team said: 

“The ‘Let us Rise up and Rebuild’ Gift Week highlighted that support for student ministry in Haiti needs to be more than just facilitating ‘spiritual growth’. It’s also about rebuilding lives, supporting communities, and holding out the hope of Christ.”