Over 125 people gathered at the Virginia Theological Seminary on April 23rd to celebrate the Haiti Micah Project’s 10th anniversary. Supporters from partnership churches and organizations throughout the Washington metropolitan area converged at the event while congratulatory messages came in from all over the country. HMP President, the Rev. Joseph M. Constant, recounted how a decade ago community leaders of Mirebalais, Haiti, crafted a vision of partnership with the United States to help the city’s street children who lacked reliable food, clothing, and education. Haiti Micah Project was founded here in the United States and in Haiti its partner organization is registered with the Haiti government under Solidarite et Action Pour Les Enfants de Sion (SAES –“Solidarity and Action for the Children of Zion”) as a Haitian non-governmental organization. Together our two non-profit organizations have accomplished great strides to serve some of the hemisphere’s poorest children. “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord,” announced Father Joseph, quoting from a popular hymn. The partnership has established an orphanage, a feeding program that serves more than 500 children a day, support for education, and now a new vocational training facility.
We estimate approximately one million meals have been served over the 10 years of Haiti Micah Project
The 10th Anniversary was a festive occasion with musical entertainment provided by the St. Timothy’s Church in Washington, several individual performers, and the Taratibu Youth Association. The event also gave opportunity to acknowledge the faithful service of so many volunteers, especially Mrs. Karen Wires, a member of the HMP Board of Directors and long-time volunteer for HMP. Karen leads the Sponsor-a-Child Program and devotes hundreds of hours every year to the children of Mirebalais. “The Holy Spirit is working among us for all to see,” said Rev. Joseph M. Constant, as he commended Karen and the other volunteers.
We offer special thanks to the chair of the anniversary event, Dr. Ruth Quartey. We also thank Col. OssenD’Haiti and Dr. Dominique Charlot-Swilley who served as Masters of Ceremony. The benediction by HMP Board Member, Rev. Rudolph Stewart III, committed the group to carrying on Christ’s work through the two sister non-governmental organizations, SAES and HMP.
Thanks to the Program Participants!
Thanks to all who helped to make the 10th Anniversary Celebration a wonderful and festive occasion:
- St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church Youth Choir (Lloyd Cummings, director)
- Taratibu Youth Association (traditional African dancing)
- Mr. Ronnie Gladney (vocalist)
- Mrs. Kelley McDonald (vocalist)
- Ms. MarsylAllain (vocalist)
- St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church Chancel Choir (Lloyd Cummings, director)
- Mr. Virgil C. McDonald (vocalist)
- Rev. Hilary Stryker (vocalist)
- Mrs. Peggy Edwards (vocalist)
- Grace D’Haiti (cellist)
- Benjamin D’Haiti (trumpeter)
- Me and My House (Korcoran and Henriell Smith and children)
