Help with Food
Jeanton is a small farming village located in the countryside about 97 km north of the capital, Port Au Prince in Haiti. As in most rural villages there are no city services. They live without electricity, running water, health clinics and no government schools. The people who live here survive by working their small farms that have been passed down from generation to generation. Beans and plantains are their primary crops. They try to keep goats and chickens as collateral for extra money in case of an emergency Star of Hope has operated a school in Jeanton since 1989. Jeanton was not directly affected by the 2010 earthquake but its population has increased because of displacement from Port-au-Prince and thusly it has placed a strain on the tiny village.
Currently, there are 160 children between the ages of 4 – 16 who attend school every day; first and foremost to obtain an education. They recognize that an education is the most direct path to a better life for the individuals and hope for the village. Hot lunches are served daily. That one, simple meal has become even more important since food prices in the country have multiplied and make is nearly impossible for many parents to purchase the basic food items like, rice, beans and cooking oil. While there is no clinic or medical personal in attendance the children learn to manage their personal hygiene, which in turn helps prevent many diseases and leads to better health in general.
The students learn reading, writing, arithmetic, history, French and religion. They stay in school under the sponsorship program until they are 16 years old. Currently there is no further formal education program to offer them. There is now, however, a sewing class available to village citizens. 80%of the group is either housewives or single mothers. Most of them also sell produce in the public market to help their family. They have stated that they are tired of that miserable life and are looking forward to the day they graduate and can then form their own business get out of the harsh environment of the marketplace.
Hope to the hopeless and/or discouraged. Star of Hope is privileged to sponsor and participate in the life-changing programs of Jeanton.
