Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Despite living in material poverty, the people of Haiti have an enormous amount of endurance, hope, and dignity, but they need help in this fight against extreme poverty. | | The Legacy of Rev. R. Scott Bonnell. On Sunday, April 11, 2021, Scott Bonnell checked himself into the Capital Regional Urgent Care facility on N. Monroe Street in Tallahassee, FL suffering from chest pains and was quickly diagnosed as having a heart attack. Scott made posts on his Facebook page over that weekend that he was not feeling well. Thursday, April 15, 2021, R. Scott Bonnell went to be with the Lord he spent many years serving.
In April, upon hearing the news of Scott's tragic passing, efforts were led by George Avant (George was a board member, and Scott kept his office in a complimentary office in George’s office building) to assemble a working board of directors to continue the ministry. Scott ran the ministry in a lean and efficient manner, and the existing board members were mostly symbolic. Many of the supporters that had been a part of the ministry from early on joined the new board, and we are happy to report that the ministry will continue. Currently, the board has committed to supporting in-country Director of Operations Yvesener Sylla to continue the core ministry. H2H will continue to support the feeding program of approximately 1500 children per day. H2H will continue to support 3 orphanages totaling 90 children.
Scott began his ministry career with North Florida Baptist after starting his career with Sing Oil Company. In 2006 Scott joined the board of Most High Ministries, and in 2007 Scott founded Hope to Haiti. Many of our current board members remember early in the ministry, Scott describing how kids were making up and eating mud wafers because they were desperate to find something to eat. The ministry began to grow in Haiti as Scott worked tirelessly to make people aware of the conditions and how they could help. H2H began orphanages for abandoned children and began a feeding program that now feeds over 1500 children per day. After the earthquake in 2010, Sylla (the in-country Director of Operations) put together a team to assist actor Sean Penn with relief efforts that Sean brought to the country.
Your support of H2H “may not change the whole world, but is changing the world” for each child the ministry touches. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and your continued support honors the vision and legacy of Scott Bonnell as the ministry of H2H continues to provide “Hope” to the children and people of Haiti. | |  | Sponsor Matress Campaign
We currently have a need to replace beds in the orphanages. Sylla is asking for $5,000 to replace beds for the children in the orphanages. Would you consider making a special one time gift to H2H towards our beds. As of now, we have 10 beds and 20 mattresses but still need more. Please go to our website and check the “Dedicate this gift” box and write in “Beds”. | | | | Water Crisis
Through Biosand filter projects we are able to provide a simple, effective, and affordable solution to the lack of clean water sources for Haitian families and our schools. The slow sand Biosand filter is a simple design that uses basic readily available materials, allows for easy production, and they are easy to transport. There are no moving parts, they do not require electricity and can be used by even the youngest members of the family. With minimal maintenance a Biosand filter can work effectively for over 20 years and can be manufactured, delivered and installed for about $100 US. | | | | | | H2H has been in existence now for over 15 years. We have kids who have been with us this entire time and others who have joined us along the way as adolescents or even young teens. The board asked Sylla to develop a plan for these kids to gain skills and enter the workforce as they become young adults. Sylla has reached out to the local trades, and for $6000 per year, we can enroll kids in “trade schools” to become electricians, tile layers, plumbers, or beauticians. The board is very excited about this as this gives the kids tools to lift themselves from poverty and ultimately change the course of Haiti. You can make a one-time gift to this by going to the website and checking “Dedicate this gift” – and writing in “Trades.” | | Haiti's Political Climate | Since the president was killed, the country has been in chaos and run over by gangs. They have blocked off entire roads. They are fighting amongst themselves - kidnapping, burning houses down, etc. There is no "president" with power. The prime minister has been served to appear in court for the assassination. There is no plan for what's next as far as the elections of a president, and there is no constitution that explains the process. Kids are in school, gas is in short supply, but some activities are returning to normal (out in the country, not in the capital Port Au Prince). The kidnapping is a real threat, so no internationals are coming to the country. There are basically no "safe" roads/zones anymore. The UN needs to be invited to come in to restore order, but they are typically invited by the president, and they do not have one. If either the UN or the United States does not step in, things are not going to change quickly. Seems like people of power want to hold onto their power, so the prime minister is in no rush to do elections. Additionally, the judge's contracts are up (only the president can reinstall them). The embassies are all closed. If you google the latest news, there are water shortages around Port Au Prince. Although the entire country is in lockdown over gas shortages, Sylla has managed our resources well, and all of our kids are safe and taken care of.
As of September, things have become particularly dire in Haiti. The energy shortage has shut down many functions in the country. The price of water has gone from 25 GDS to 12 GDS in a very short period of time. The board of directors is in touch with Sylla (in-country weekly), and as of today, our kids are safe and getting by. We will keep you posted via email as things change. | | | | Age: 10
Birthday: September 20, 2011
Likes: Going to the Beach and eating in a restaurant.
Dream Job: Nurse
Favorite Food: Rice, beans, and chicken.
Time with Hope to Haiti: Since 2013 | | | | | | |
