National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH)
Spring 2009 Report
CONASPEH expresses their gratitude to the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for their “acompañamiento” to the Haitian people in particular to CONASPEH. It is always a source of blessing for the churches of the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti.
In the past six months, CONASPEH has provided scholarships for a total of 166 kids; 116 at Saint Andre College (equivalent to K-12) and 50 at College of Petion-Ville (K-12). “Food for Learning” programs provide food for many children so that children are not only able to attend school but also have the mental energy to concentrate and learn. General programming and literacy programs continue at Port-de Paix and Cape Haitian.
Scholarships have also been provided for students at the Karen School of Nursing. In February 2009, 18 graduated from the Nursing School and were honored at the CONASPEH Congress. Of the graduates, 16 were women and two were men.
Also during the CONASPEH Congress in February 2009, 35 graduated from theology school and 75 pastors were ordained. Two of the seminary graduates were women.
Two recent extension programs of the seminary have provided access to classes for 90 additional theology students. The first seminary extension opened at Leogane and the second extension opened at Jacmel.
Cape Haitian also provided access to a farming cooperative for more than 20 families. This provides cooperative grain storage and the availability of a mill. Artibonite also has a portable mill so that people are able to gring the grain they have grown. Plateau Central provides a program to receive seeds on credit with 2-3% interest. Over 80 families participated by borrowing money to purchase and plant seeds, and then repaid the money with earnings so that others can then borrow and buy seeds.
Other advances include an electricity installation project at the CONASPEH Regional Center in Artibonite, which also serves the school.
The challenge continues to be having the funds to meet all the needs for education, food, training, etc. Plans for the next year remain basically the same -- to continue to work hard to provide needed services and guidance. Each year, CONASPEH tries to be innovative to do more with less and make projects stronger. They also strive to find ways to participate more in the national setting in Haiti. In this respect, CONASPEH is an important resource to churches and to the Ministry of Religion in Haiti.
