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The
primary language spoken and understood by all in Haiti is
called Creole.
The two
strongest influences on Creole are the French spoken by
the French slaveholders during the colonial period and
various African languages brought by the slaves. It also
includes some vocabulary from other languages, mostly
Spanish, English, and Arawak. |
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Once a Paradise...
Christopher
Columbus landed in the New World in 1492, discovering a rich,
tropical island paradise which became known as Hispaniola.
Today, the western third of the island, about the size of the
state of Maryland, comprises the country of Haiti, home to
almost 9 million people.
It is almost
inconceivable to imagine how drastically things have changed
over the last 500 years. The lush forests that once covered
this bountiful island have virtually disappeared. The rich,
fertile soil has eroded into the sea. And what was once the
wealthiest colony in the Caribbean is now the poorest country in
the entire western hemisphere. In fact, a full 80% of Haitian
people live under the poverty line, with 54% in abject poverty.
Even the most basic of human needs – food and potable water –
are not sufficiently available in many areas of the country.
And, to make things worse, over 40% of the Haitian population
are children under the age of 15.
... Still, Hope Springs
Eternal
But all is not
lost. Poor as they may be, the indomitable spirit and hope of
the Haitian people is alive and well. One can see it every day
in the smiles of the children.
Kindred Journey
is a non-profit charitable organization that strives
relentlessly to nurture that spirit, working through the
Little
Brothers and Little Sisters of the Incarnation religious order,
who live among the peasants in one of Haiti’s poorest regions –
the Central Plateau in and around the village of Pandiassou and
the town of Hinche. Over the past years, funds provided through
Kindred Journey have made a tremendous difference by providing
food and potable water for thousands of Haitian children and
their families.
We warmly welcome
you to join us in this ever so worthy endeavor. Feel free to
browse this site for more information on how your tax-deductible
donation to Kindred Journey can touch the lives of some of the
world’s poorest people - people who face a daily struggle for
existence only a few hundred miles from the U.S. border.
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