This article was originally published in the World Orphans Insight Magazine Spring 2021.
By: Kathy Davis | Senior Director of Wholistic Care
Plagued by chronic political instability and recurrent natural disasters, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the poorest countries in the world. Haiti’s poverty is massive and runs deep. Emotional pain for vulnerable families includes feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Poverty and economic hardship are especially difficult for parents who experience chronic stress and depression, often resulting in harsh parenting behavior.
Sarah awakens to the familiar crow of roosters and the bleating of nearby goats, as she begins a new day. She is scheduled to meet with World Orphans Social Worker Cassandre who is not just her social worker, but over the past seven years has become a trusted friend, taking the time to talk with her, encourage her, pray with her, and help her picture and plan for a better tomorrow. Rolling out of bed, Sarah recognizes that her mother is gone again. Food and water are scarce, but she has all that she needs to begin the day. Gathering her backpack and books, she walks to school, sighing deeply as she realizes that, more than likely, she will go another day without seeing her mother.
Filled with anticipation at the close of the school day, Sarah is looking forward to her scheduled time with Cassandre and to seeing her friends at church. She has found value in connecting with others who share her faith, and the despair that once gripped her heart has been replaced with hope that is found in surrendering each new day to Jesus Christ. Though her father passed away years ago, she has found a spiritual and loving family in her church community. She now claims that Jesus is her very best friend, and she loves serving others and engaging in church activities.
Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Common responsibilities for social workers are to help relieve people’s suffering, fight for social justice, and improve lives. Social workers do this kind of work — but World Orphans social workers do so much more! World Orphans social workers in Haiti exist to support nine local churches who are each caring for 20 families. Our tender-hearted and skilled social workers engage in the lives of people who are affected by issues such as neglect, child abuse, abandonment, domestic violence, and poverty. The task is not easy, but the calling is clear: bring the hope of Christ to the door of their hearts, enter into their struggle, walk beside them, and help vulnerable families navigate the pain they are walking through.
O LORD,
you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart;
you will incline your ear to do justice
to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth
may strike terror no more.
Psalm 10:17-18
The hope for every heart is Jesus. Jesus, the one who is acquainted with suffering, sees the plight of the fatherless and is the object of healing and hope. Sarah’s story continues in that she has finished secondary school and has begun vocational school in order to start a small business making soaps. Cassandre continues to walk with and support Sarah. Most importantly, Cassandre continues to remind her of present and eternal hope, the person of Jesus, Sarah’s best friend and the anchor of her soul.
“So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”
Hebrews 6:18-19