Impressions from Haiti
by Mitch Tull
KAH Central Indiana Developmental Council
Since the earthquake in Haiti last year, Kids Against Hunger has shipped about 80% of its meals to a country where the need for clean water and food is still great. In March, I had the opportunity to visit and see some of the children who are impacted by our food everyday. It was a very eye-opening and heart-wrenching experience.
After a short flight from Miami, I landed in Cap Haitian on a Friday morning and was met by Luke Renner, president and founder of Fireside International. Fireside is a non-profit organization that uses communication technologies to improve the lives of those suffering from a lack of quality educational resources in developing nations (www.firesideinternational.org ). Luke took me to the proposed location for an education center for street kids who are predominantly orphans and have no place to go. I was moved by the young boys who approached our vehicle as we arrived at the center asking for food. It struck me that these young boys are real children with real hopes and dreams but many of these dreams have been crushed emotionally and physically. There is a great opportunity for KAH to partner with Fireside to provide daily meals to this center so children can learn and have their stomachs filled at the same time.
I was also able to meet with Pastor Desamore in a small community 35 miles east of Cap Haitian. Once again, young boys came to meet us where his small church is located while we there. The pastor stated there are many days when children come from all ages and all he has to feed them is oatmeal and bread. He voiced the great need for meals that are more nutritional and can help fill the void.
As I boarded the small plane to return home, I realized I had come face to face with a level of poverty and hunger I had never witnessed before. When we package food now, I picture in my mind the faces of those I have seen firsthand who are impacted by what we do at Kids Against Hunger.
