Haiti
Population: 11,400,000 in 2022
GDP per capita (US$): $1,272 in 2020
The burden of malnutrition in Haiti:
- Anemia in pregnancy decreased from 54.1% in 2000 to 48.7% in 2019
- Under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 live births:
- Boys decreased from 110.8 in 2000 to 68 in 2019
- Girls decreased from 96.3 in 2000 to 57.2 in 2019
- Malnutrition in children under 5 years of age:
- Stunting decreased from 28.8% in 2000 to 21.9% in 2017
- Wasting decreased from 5.5% in 2000 to 3.7% in 2017
Source: Global Nutrition Report, 2022
Bountiful Children in Haiti
- Bountiful Children began serving in Haiti in 2022
- 119 children and 6 pregnant/nursing mothers receive help each month as of June 2023
- See additional information below
Haiti - History and Demographics
The recorded history of Haiti began in 1492 when Christopher Columbus landed on a large island in the region. The island was inhabited by the Taino and Arawakan people. The Geneste’s asked missionaries and others to volunteer to help in the different communities. In 1804, Haiti gained it’s independence again. The new nation struggled economically until the Constitution of 1867 brought about peaceful and progressive transitions in government. The country had full democratic elections in 1930. Many dictatorships soon followed as the Constitution was dismantled to allow for complete control of the executive branch. In 1987, a new Constitution was ratified providing separation of powers. Military rule continued to overthrow leaders and wreak havoc on the country. In 1994, the U.S. prepared to enter for Operation Uphold Democracy. The operation ended 31 March 1995, when it was replaced by the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). The country continues to have elected officials overthrown and experiences violence.
A recent New York Times Series explains: "Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, and a new Times investigative series explores why. One stunning detail: France demanded reparations from Haitians it once enslaved. That debt hamstrung Haiti’s economy for decades — and kept it from building even basic social services, like sewage and electricity. The series is based on more than a year of reporting, troves of centuries-old documents and an analysis of financial records." Read a summary of Haiti's history by Times reporter German Lopez.
Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake in 2010 with estimates of up to 300,000 deaths. A million Haitians were left homeless and hundreds of thousands starved. A hurricane in 2017 affected over 2 million people with the destruction of buildings and crops which are a major source of income. The 2021 earthquake was less extreme but caused major damage to roads and structures.
Bountiful Children in Haiti
Bountiful Children started screening for malnourishment in 2022. Approximately 100,000 children under the age of 5 are malnourished in Haiti. 59% of Haitians live on less than $2/day. The issues facing Haiti include housing, nutrition, infant mortality rates, healthcare, education, energy issues, political instability, unemployment, and environmental factors.
Fredo Génesté
Haiti Country Coordinator
Fredo Génesté is the coordinator in Haiti. Brother Génesté is a BYU pathways missionary. He mentions that he wants to focus on the welfare of children, especially those who are abandoned. Many families are still struggling from the effects of an earthquake in 2010. Some people have moved to camps after the earthquake where they have built small houses. Others are still living in tents. Many people lost their homes and their jobs. He sees that the children in Haiti are suffering from lack of healthy food. He has 4 children and graduated from the BYU in IT. He and his wife have started screening children in several different communities in Haiti.
Bountiful’s Country Coordinators
Country coordinators serve with Bountiful as volunteers. They organize, train, assist and monitor local community coordinators who conduct screenings, train families, distribute locally-purchased nutritional supplements, and follow up on infant development.
Communities in Haiti
Available for Adoption
Croix-de-Mission
Port-au-Prince
Considering A Donation?
All donations go toward identifying mothers and children in need, providing food supplements, health lessons, and other services. All donations are welcomed. Recurring monthly donations support community stability.
- $8 = nourish 1 child for a month
- $25 = nourish 3 children for a month
- $100 = nourish 1 child for a year
- $500 = nourish an average community for a month
- $6,000 = nourish a community of your choice for one year
Bountiful's Mission
Our mission is to provide nutritional supplementation to malnourished children and pregnant/nursing mothers as well as to teach health and cognitive development skills to families in the areas we serve.
