A look back at 2025

January : Celebrating Independence Day and EEGC 5th anniversary

In January 2025, we shared a joyful and meaningful moment with the children in our community by enjoying a special meal of pumpkin soup, a powerful symbol of Haiti’s independence as the first free Black nation in the world. We also celebrated the 5th anniversary of EEGC.

Celebrating Independence Day

EEGC 5th anniversary

February: Python program & pressure washer at CERMICOL

Despite the uncertainty, we were blessed to launch the Python program at CCS and also to bring encouragement to CERMICOL through the donation of a pressure washer, helping make daily life in the prison a little cleaner.

Python Program

Pressure washer at CERMICOL

March: New perspective

Seeking a fresh perspective and a sense of revival, we brought Scheska on as a consultant this year. She provided the “new eyes” we needed to see our blind spots. Her impact was so transformative that we couldn't let her go; she has since transitioned into a permanent role on our leadership team.

April: Jesus film for CCS & Easter Celebration.

We rejoiced in the opportunity to share The Jesus Film with the CCS children in their own language and also enjoyed a wonderful Easter celebration at Haiti Awake, where every child received a warm Haitian meal and a care package.

May: Rome-Carmel’s graduation and Fritz moved into his new home provided by HA

What a blessing and significant accomplishment it has been: Rose-Carmel, one of our staff members and the CCS coordinator for Haiti Awake in Haiti, graduated from seminary with full support from Haiti Awake. In addition, this same month, Fritz Augustin, a young man we met through CERMICOL, moved into his new home which was provided by Haiti Awake. Glwa pou Bondye!

Rome-Carmel’s graduation

Fritz moved into his new home provided by HA

June : Interns in Haiti for the first time

Haiti Awake had always utilized interns for summer in the past. However, they were always Americans. This year for the first time we welcomed two Haitian young people as interns in Haiti. When they first came it was a learning period about Haiti Awake vision and mission. Furthermore, they participated in our weekly psychology class. 

Samuel has transitioned from summer intern to having a permanent staff position.

Our interns were a huge help.

July : Start of VBS (Vacation Bible School) and the graduation of some CCS Tabarre kids

VBS this year was such a blast. It was not only a moment of enjoyment and relaxation filled with challenges and prizes, but it was also a moment of learning.  This year, we implemented several learning clubs such as cooking and pastry, crochet, photography, and civic engagement. The kids chose the one they would like to be part of and had fun learning new things they would be able to use in the future. Also, 3 young ladies graduated from CCS Tabarre. We had a good farewell meeting with the other CCS children.

Summer camp participants

August : VBS at Caradeux

This month was a follow up to VBS. We started the learning club with the children at Caradeux.

Python learning at the VBS

September: Back to school

Among all that we accomplished this year, September stood out as one of the most amazing months. We are deeply thankful for the generosity of our sponsors, whose support helped bring bright smiles to the faces of parents and their children as they prepared for the back-to-school season. Glwa pou Bondye!

Back to school

October: Happy 11th anniversary to Haiti Awake and Farewell Phebe

Happy 11th anniversary to Haiti Awake! October was a month filled with mixed emotions both joy and sadness. We celebrated with joy as we marked our anniversary, while also feeling a sense of sadness as Phebe, one of the children who had been in our care at Kay Timoun, graduated. Though it was bittersweet, we are truly happy and proud of her. That is what made October a month of mixed emotions.

Happy 11th anniversary to Haiti Awake

See you soon, Phebe

November: Getting ready for Christmas

We could say that our Christmas began in November, as we started preparing packages for all our children, community members, the youth at CERMICOL, and our staff. We are deeply grateful to our dear sponsors for making this possible. November was also the month when we supported CERMICOL by providing solar panel lights, helping improve safety and living conditions for the youth there.

Getting ready for Christmas

December: Becky’s surgery and Christmas

We thank God for our dear friend, Becky Graves, who successfully underwent a surgery on December 10th. While we experienced moments of concern at Haiti Awake, we found peace and joy in the assurance that God was fully in control. We are also grateful to God for blessing us with a wonderful Christmas celebration at Haiti Awake.

Becky’s surgery

Christmas party

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.".

Ephesians 3:20-21

A look back at 2024

As we close out another year, we wanted to take time to reflect month-by-month on the faithfulness of God toward our organization, even as we have walked through what was, without a doubt, the most difficult year Haiti Awake has yet to face.

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In January we celebrated the 4th anniversary of the EEGC. Leading up to that special day, we did not know if it would be possible due to increasing insecurity in the area. But by God's grace, we were able to gather and celebrate.

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In February, we were able to hire a new English teacher for Saturdays, David. We were able to do this because so many friends from The Bridge decided to partner with us in CCS.

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In March, Becky and Hudson worked on new designs for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for Mission Made Jewelry before she had to leave Haiti, as the airport shut down.

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In April, school was canceled due to insecurity, but because we have Starlink and solar at both locations, we could communicate with sponsors and help the children continue to learn from home.

We still schedule calls like this. For more information, e-mail Hudson at haitiawake@gmail.com

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In May we celebrated our flag day together. We are proud to be Haitian!

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In June, a series of incredibly events came together to make it possible for Steeve to have his US visa renewed - in Jamaica, no less!

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In July, we said goodbye to Migerlson as his time at Kay Timoun came to a close. We were so proud of him and celebrated his departure with a party.

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In August we organized a soccer tournament for the boys at the CERIMCOL prison, and we had summer camp with them.

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In September, we went back to school, and we were able to help CCS parents get uniforms for their children.

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In October, we celebrated Haiti Awake’s 10th birthday. Our theme was Remember to Remember.

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In November, because of the generosity of a faithful friend, we had a special Thanksgiving meal together with the children in our community.

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In December, we celebrated Christmas together with parties for CCS, as well as the staff and children of Kay Timoun.

As we look ahead to 2025, we continue to pray a Scripture that has guided us all of these years:

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”

— Ephesians 3:20-21

Tout glwa pou Bondye.

We are so grateful for you

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to provide you with an update regarding Haiti Awake’s ministry in the juvenile prison, CERMICOL.

Friends, by God’s grace, despite the difficult circumstances in the country of Haiti right now, we are pleased to share with you, that we continue to be welcomed into the facility.

This is possible because of the friends God has blessed us with at CERMICOL through the years who recognize the value of our presence and the positive impact we are making there.

However, due to the current situation, and in collaboration with some staff at CERMICOL, we have to adapt and limit some aspects of our program, but we remain committed to walk with those boys and serve them.

Your support and prayers play a huge role in maintaining this ministry, and we are so grateful for you.

We want to end by quoting Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Pastor Steeve, for all of us

VBS at CERMICOL in 2024

This year, our summer activities, including both the Summer Camp and the Soccer Championship, are taking place in an exceptional context. Due to the instability and gang activities in recent months, the government was forced to make the difficult decision to house women and men from the main penitentiary in the same space—the boys’ prison. This has resulted in an overcrowded and more polluted environment, making it a constant challenge for the institution's staff to maintain cleanliness.

Last year, we had more space and more participants in the summer camp. This year, we have only 20 participants in the camp and fewer soccer games because of the need for extra security. (The number of boys at CERMICOL has not decreased.) We gather in the library space, which we manage to arrange and rearrange for different activities during each session.

Despite these challenges, the boys' enthusiasm for participating in the activities remains high. They are very happy to engage in activities that take their minds off the big walls and metal bars. They enjoy the challenges and games we offer. Unfortunately, others would like to participate, but space constraints prevent us from accommodating them.

Even though access is limited and more restrictions are in place due to the country’s situation and recent events at other prisons, the needs remain real and have increased. We are deeply grateful to each of our sponsors who have joined hands with us to help in so many ways. You may not be able to go, but we would not be able to do anything without the resources you provide. As always, it’s teamwork—sponsors and Haiti Awake—making the dream work.

Seven years of knowing & loving CERMICOL

Seven years ago today, after much prayer and perseverance in getting the proper authorization, Haiti Awake was able to visit CERMICOL for the first time. The young men were kept in their cells, and we went door-to-door to speak to them. The doors were covered by a metal grate, so it was difficult to see the boys’ faces. We had to put our eyes up to a hole and peer through as best we could.

In time we were allowed to see the boys. They would be brought out into the courtyard where they stood in rows, and we would address them there. But they were not allowed to address us.

As trust built, we were allowed to speak to them briefly as they sat in a large classroom. We would stand at the front. They would remain in their seats. There was very little interaction.

And now, seven years later, we enter as if we have arrived at home. We are welcomed and allowed to interact with the young men, having time to talk, to laugh, to get to know each other week-by-week.

Glwa pou Bondye.

Music Lessons Behind Prison Walls

I’m frequently asked, “How are things in Haiti?” to which I offer this question: “Are you asking about Haiti, or do you want to know about Haiti Awake because these are vastly different answers.”

Haiti is on the edge of the abyss, and I do not speak in hyperbole. Haiti Awake, however, is thriving, by God's grace.

We continue to move forward, and we are so happy to share a new program - music lessons at CERMICOL. Because of the generous donations of friends who have a heart for prison ministry, we were able to purchase a complete set of drums, and they were safely shipped to Haiti.

Now the fun begins.

Every Sunday for the next six months from 2-4 p.m. four boys will receive music lessons, specifically drum lessons. This first group will finish in December, and new boys will have the same opportunity.

Glwa pou Bondye.