The neighborhood of a partnering children’s home in Haiti hasn’t been quiet for weeks. Rival gangs created turmoil and noise for neighboring communities, causing many to flee or shelter-in-place for safety. The children at this home stayed put, and remained inside, with directors. Schools were closed for up to three weeks as a result of… Read more
The four young men led Todd Guckenberger, Executive Director of Back2Back, around their home. For three of them, it was the first time they were giving a tour of what felt like their own space. The four Hope Program students in Haiti were animated as they showed Todd around, opening the doors to their rooms,… Read more
The normally bright room has the curtains drawn, an overhead projector is running. Each teen sits in front of their own laptop, as they navigate learning a new computer program called Microsoft Word. In late January, Lucson Jeannot, Back2Back staff, kicked off a computer programming class for the Hope Education Program students. He saw early… Read more
“Okay, now smile on three – one, two, threeeee!” Back2Back staff clicked the camera as the family before them gave their best smiles. Smiling for sponsorship photos is a scene played out annually across the Back2Back sites. For several families in Haiti, it is a first. Over the last year, informal programming was held to… Read more
2021 was a difficult year for people everywhere. Staff and children in Haiti are no exception as they navigated educational changes due to the pandemic, and also adjusted to new ways of day-to-day life in response to riots, government tragedies, and additional closures. Staff stepped up in big ways to ensure children continued their schooling… Read more
Back2Back strives to provide ongoing holistic care to every child and family they serve. This means staff ensure spiritual, physical, educational, emotional, and social needs are met. Recently, a child at a partnering home was diagnosed with an illness. Doctor’s offices are difficult to find in Haiti and in the event there is one nearby,… Read more
Recently, a group of five new children transitioned into a partnering children’s home in Haiti. Moving and adjusting to new living arrangements with new expectations can be difficult for anyone, but for children from hard places, there are additional layers of support needed. “The children were very upset when they arrived,” shared one of the… Read more
“Stay in the Fight” has been the cry of Back2Back staff since the global pandemic began. From virtual tutoring lessons, to food and hygiene pack deliveries, staff teams around the world have stepped up in innovative ways, providing ongoing holistic care for every child. In addition to the pandemic, Haiti has been under great duress-… Read more
The children at Harvest Care Children’s Home recently participated in a day they affectionately call “Funny Day.” In reality, it is a day planned by the psychologist for fun and intentional conversation. The captain of the home, Weekenson Moise, and staff psychologist, Stephanie Pierre, wanted a day for the children to have safe space to… Read more
Haiti has suffered great turmoil in the last several months. Political unrest, COVID breakouts, the president’s assassination, tropical storms, and a sizable earthquake have made day-to-day life difficult and unpredictable. For students across the country, navigating educational changes in the midst of these challenges has caused stress. A young man in the Haiti Hope Program… Read more