Uncovering Hope in an Unlikely Place

Amber Noe, our Champions For The Poor coordinator, encountered hope in an unlikely place. 

By Amber Noe

When it comes to Haiti, we often hear about the tragedy, but rarely do we get to glimpse the possibility. I recently traveled back to this rich land, which I fell in love with some months ago. I say “rich” because it is rich in spirit, rich in culture, and rich in the possibility for a brighter tomorrow.

I was fortunate to witness Haiti’s richness when our team of six visited a community nestled in the valley of Limbe, west of Cap-Haitien. Right away, I couldn’t help but absorb the sheer beauty of the land and the people.

The children, whose eyes were brimming with hope and wonder, approached us with innocent curiosity and offerings of open friendship. Their mothers had done their best to gussy them up for us guests. Sure, the hand-me-down clothes were a bit tattered, but it was evident that these dresses and shirts were a source of pride for the families. For some reason, this smallest gesture touched me deeply as I looked into the eyes of an adorable little girl, maybe 4 years old, in a red dress that was smeared with dirt and had a small tear in its fabric. That tear matched the one I felt in my heart at that very moment.

We spent three days in Ti Limbe. The families invited us into their homes, which were makeshift shacks made of mud and sticks. They even offered to share whatever bits of food they had on hand. Despite their material poverty, the families we shared time with are rich in spirit – welcoming us with open arms, warm hearts, and blessings of love. By the end of our visit we felt like we were saying farewell to family.

Their dire living conditions were inescapable during our visit. We spoke with a mother of four and saw the heart-wrenching look of shame that rushed across her face when asked what she and her small children would eat that day. She had no food beyond a bit of stale bread a neighbor had scrounged up and graciously shared.

In my head, I found myself asking, “What about tomorrow?” It’s as if she heard my thoughts, as she answered: “We leave it in the hands of God.”

However, in the end the possibility of hope won out, as we came to see the children of this small community as beacons of tomorrow. They long to go to school, to study math, become doctors, nurses, engineers, and the list goes on. That possibility is there, in these tiny souls. If we can provide this community with access to education, safe housing, clean water, and agricultural resources for self-sustaining initiatives, we can help them thrive.

Together, we can create the foundations for that bright possibility to take root, and to rise into something truly remarkable.

Join me in supporting Ti Limbe! Find out how at We Pledge 100.