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Part 3 of 3, Continued from the previous posts about adopting special needs children from Haiti
Location and Population
Haiti is located 500+ miles south of Miami, Florida. It shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. With more than 7 million people living within its 10,000 square miles, Haiti is the most densely-populated and most poverty-stricken nation in the Western Hemisphere.
History
About 95 percent of Haitians are of African origin. The remaining 5 percent are mulatto and other races. Haitians are descendants of slaves brought over from Africa centuries ago. In 1804, Haitian slaves drove out the French colonists and declared Haiti the first Black Republic in the world.
Language
About 90 percent of the population (which is mostly rural) speaks Haitian Creole, even though French is Haiti’s official language.
Religion
About 80 percent of Haitians call themselves Roman Catholics. Many combine an voodoo into their religious beliefs and ceremonies. Other religious groups include Baptists (about 10 percent), Pentecostals (4 percent), and Adventists (about 1 percent).
Economy
The average Haitian earns less than $300 (U.S.) per year and has a life expectancy of 45 years. About 25 to 50 percent of the workforce is underemployed or unemployed. Haiti’s most serious social problems stem from the disproportionate distribution of wealth. A limited elite of about 10 percent, mostly professionals, enjoys a sophisticated, affluent lifestyle.
Literacy
About 40 percent of the 1.3 million eligible children actually attend school. About 53 percent of the population is literate.
Facts of Life
About 41 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water, and only 25 percent has access to sanitary sewer systems.
Random Thoughts
The facts and figures create a dismal picture of Haiti. But while life in Haiti is difficult for most, its people exhibit more strength of character than just about anybody I’ve met. The Haitian Christians I met have a strong faith. Many of them share Bibles or memorize portions of the Bible (either because they can’t read or can’t afford to purchase a Bible). They sing hymns like nobody’s business and they wait with eager anticipation for Jesus’ return.
Just like American kids, Haitian children love to kick a soccer ball around (although they are more likely to do it barefoot, as opposed to clad in expensive cleats). They love to play games, sing songs, laugh, and tease one another.
Despite its poverty, its political unrest and the general difficulty of life in Haiti, the Haitians I met love their country. And they especially love their children. Several families informed me proudly: “A Haitian child’s feet don’t touch the floor till he’s three years old. That’s because everyone is so busy holding, cuddling and otherwise loving on him.” It’s a lesson that we Americans, with all our wealth, can learn from our Haitian neighbors.
