Written by Sarah Ellis, Back2Back Haiti Stateside Manager

Three couples sit around the same computer screen, each couple wearing Back2Back staff t-shirts and wide smiles. The country of Haiti continues to deteriorate, making travel into the country impossible, and video calls are the only available option to connect with Haiti staff. This doesn’t feel like enough as we all long for in-person interactions, but I try to focus on the gift of technology, allowing me to connect with six adults who have followed the call to serve Haitian teens in the Hope Program. Phalange and Medjine Oltima, Nicaisse and Remise Severe, and Francklin and Lorvindia Pierre are house parents for the three Back2Back Haiti Hope Program homes. Their smiles are warm and genuine despite extensive preparation to travel safely and arrive at the Back2Back campus for a day of training and meetings.  This willingness to serve and others-mindedness is distinctive of the six adults I’ve come to admire. 

The Haiti Hope Program was founded in 2019 and has expanded since 2021, amid a long season of instability in-country. When a child reaches 18 in Haiti, they’re no longer able to remain in institutionalized care. Increasing numbers of these cases with Back2Back partnering homes led staff to seek reunification with family, but for many it isn’t an option yet. Staff sought solutions for teens to continue pursuing education and preparing for their transition to independent living. The solution was found in the Haiti Hope Program, which currently provides educational support for 11 young people. The house parents intentionally disciple the youth in their home, equipping each for adulthood. 

Recommended for this challenging role of shepherding houses full of teenagers by their pastor, each of the three couples also came endorsed by people who know them well and see in them the gifting to guide and parent with love and grace.  In reference to being called to house parent, Mr. Oltima describes it as, “giving support to youth and to be part of empowering young people, to orient them well for their lives.” The Oltimas are parenting three girls, and the Severe and Pierre households have four boys each. Their homes, intentionally located in the community and not on Back2Back’s campus, help each young adult experience community life and prepare to navigate local markets and public transportation.  

When asked about the biggest joys and challenges of serving as house parents, their faith and resilience shone through their responses. “This is never easy,” clarified the Pierres, a sentiment quickly echoed by the other parents, but continued, “but it is possible with God.”  Mr. Severe added, “Dealing with the different temperaments can be a challenge, but the best moments come when there is harmony within our family, and there is joy in the sense of being an adoptive family, of seeing the teens as our own.” All three couples unanimously agree the most important piece they want to provide for the young adults is in leading them to Jesus.” 

As these three faithful house parent couples considered how they’d prepare others who want to serve as they do, they shared words of hope and counsel. “Hope has to come in seeing young adults making progress towards their future goals and remaining steadfast in their faith,” shared the Severes. The Oltimas shared, “The importance is in continuing to persevere in discouraging situations, exhibiting more love and patience, and to see this work as not ‘just a job,’ but a calling.” The Pierres are excited and hopeful in seeing the young people in their home beginning to express their feelings more and finding shared joy in activities like soccer. “We look at each young person in our care and we see what they will become,” shared the Pierres. 

“This work is difficult,” they all echoed. “But when you follow Jesus’ example, it is achievable, and worth it.” May each of us reading these words remember this is a lesson for all of us, as we grow His kingdom. 

Please join Back2Back in prayer for the Haiti Hope Program:

• That the house parents will continue to rely on their faith and be encouraged in difficult moments
• For the students who are attempting to pursue higher education. Many have been forced to transition to online learning due to the situation in Haiti, or are waiting for their school to reopen so they can continue their studies.