Tangible school supplies play a crucial role in the learning process. Using physical tools like pencils, pens, notebooks, and other materials helps students learn more than they could if relying solely on memory. Tactile activities help students take ownership of abstract ideas, and that well-known principle has guided our approach to schooling in Haiti. We’ve seen our kids benefit from these resources in so many ways.

However, this year has been one of change and adaptation. As the gangs pushed into Onaville, Connect 2 Ministries moved out, leaving behind many of the resources and supplies our kids have relied on in their schooling. In addition, our kids haven’t been in school now for more than eight months; this means many of them have outgrown their uniforms. All the school uniforms are handmade in Haiti, so an order not only supplies clothes for our children but work for the community.

Historically, we would reorder things like uniforms and shoes at least once a year. Poyis would often reorder play shoes three times per year because they get worn out so quickly, and many school supplies were on a similar schedule. Aside from fixed classroom supplies like chalkboards, the other items were also typically purchased annually. All of these items are regular purchases for us, regardless of our current need to replace things that have been lost.

We are praying for the situation in Onaville to stabilize over the coming months, and we are making plans in light of that hope. As we take inventory of our needs and work to replenish supplies, we are mindful of the many things at stake. The school in Onaville wasn’t just for our kids but for 130 other kids from the community as well. We served more than 300 children in total, and the community would pay light tuition, offsetting our operation costs. The school also provided jobs for the teachers and staff who came from the community. In some cases we would even barter free schooling for staff’s children in lieu of pay.

We are conscious that in preparing for the future, buying school supplies and educational resources for our children, we are looking forward to something much bigger. In this situation, we are hoping to bring back jobs as well as these resources. Between the school, Medical Clinic, church admin, staff moms, teachers, and security, our compound was at one time providing jobs for more than ninety community members. Supporting Onaville’s rebuilding will provide normalcy not just for our kids, but for the community. As we look to buy school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and play clothes for our kids, we look forward in hopeful anticipation to what God has in store for Haiti in the coming months.

Visit give.connect2ministries.org to learn how you can Give This Christmas.