KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR WORK.
The Government of Haiti estimates that 80% of children in orphanages have at least one living parent
THE PROBLEM
"An estimated 30,000 children live in approximately 750 mostly privately-run and financed orphanages in Haiti. The Government of Haiti estimates that 80 percent of children in orphanages have at least one living parent, and almost all have other family members. Poverty, lack of access to basic services, and the desire to provide an education drive parents and caregivers to place their children in orphanages. With adequate support, many children could return to family- and community-based care, and at-risk families could be strengthened to prevent separation in the first instance."
-Funding Haitian Orphanages at the Cost of Human Rights, Jamie Vernaelde, Lumos
THE SOLUTION
Families in Haiti become separated for varying hard circumstances. Many parents in Haiti believe they are giving their children the best opportunities in life by sending them to live in an orphanage. Haitian visitors are typically not allowed to visit orphanages, so many are unaware about the realities of suffering and abuse that exist in orphanages. Other parents feel pressed to search for alternative care for their children because of the cost of education, high costs to feed and clothe their children, or lack of a safe home for their family. Ansanm focuses on coming alongside families and these issues they face that threaten to separate them.
WHO WE ARE
Our name has meaning. Ansanm means "together" in Haitian Creole. It is our vision to help keep families together and keep children out of unsafe living situations. Ansanm longs to empower families through education, small business opportunities, and deeper intimacy with God.
CHILD SPONSORSHIP
When parents end up sending their children to live in an orphanage or with a distant family member, education is one of the biggest reasons they give as to why they made that hard choice. The cost of schooling is a huge expense for a family living in Haiti, a cost that many families simply can't afford. We come alongside of families to cover schooling costs so that children can both receive an education, and continue to live with their families. Ansanm also helps to cover required uniform costs, and assists children who struggle with their classes by providing tutoring options. At Ansanm’s Family Center, we also run an after-school program for kids to be able to receive homework help, a small snack, and fun activities for encouragement.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Education is vital in order for the lives of children, families, and communities to transform. Ansanm offers a variety of courses and seminars in an effort to offer many kinds of education to the community and families that we support. Ansanm offers computer classes, a parenting course, VBS programs for children, sexual education, and social behavior training. Ansanm also helps support children to learn trade skills in areas of their interests that will allow them to earn an income.
SMALL BUSINESS START-UP
Sometimes the only thing a family needs is a leg up. Finding a stable, well-paying job in Haiti is pretty rare most parents.Most parents that we work with either have a small business that needs a little help, or have dreams of starting a small business but don't have the means to begin. We come alongside of parents in these situations by offering micro loans so that they can start or expand their small business. We have trained staff and guest speakers provide business training and coaching throughout the process, and parents pay back their loans in small increments to allow their business time to succeed. In many instances, we provide food assistance for families as their business starts out, to try and alleviate initial costs that help the business to grow before taking on the needs of their family.
CRISIS RESPONSE
In vulnerable situations, we assist families that have urgent needs. Many times this can mean helping families to find proper medical care for necessary treatment, or to help families rebuild a house due to natural disasters and storms. After hurricane Matthew, we assisted over 30 families in rebuilding their homes. Due to ongoing gang violence in the capital and surrounding areas, we have responded to many urgent needs of families needing to flee and relocate to safer areas.
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
Due to a voodoo-influenced culture and high illiteracy rates, truth is often very skewed among families we work with. We feel that a relationship with God is the most vital aspect of life and realize that God is the true support and help to a family's well-being. Ansanm offers families a spiritual foundation course in an effort to talk about core truths of the Bible in a simple way that people of any kind of education level can understand. We recognize the importance and power of prayer, and hold prayer as an essential part of Ansanm’s ministry. Our staff offers prayer support to families at home visits, and make themselves available to families in need of spiritual support.
Meet the team
Founders/Directors
Jimmy & Courtney Sanon
Field Coordinator/Ajan Teren
Guerdy Jean Charles
Project Facilitator/Ajan
Delva Sanon
Teaching & Mission Coordinator/Ajan Ansènyeman
Jean Lysnel Thomas
Office Manager/Responsab Biwo
Daniel Alexandre
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