Overview of Haiti:
1804:
Haiti was the first Caribbean country to gain its freedom. Haiti was at one time part of the island of Hispanola, and was under spanish rule untill 1697.
1697:
The Treaty of Ryswick was created, and the island was then divided into Santo Domingo which remained under Spanish control, and St. Dominique, now called Haiti, which fell under French rule. For over 100 years haiti was France's most important overseas territory due to vast exports of sugar, rum, coffee, and cotton.
1773: Aid to the U.S struggle for independence from England
In 1773 about 1,500 mulattoes led Count Charles Henry d'Estaing went to the U.S.(Savannah, Georgia) to fight for the independence of this country. Among the volunteers was the young Henry Christophe, who became one of Haiti's independence heroes.
1808: Aid to Dominican struggle against Spanish Colonialism.
In 1808 Alezandre Petion and Henry Christophe sent food and financial aid to Dominican patriats Juan Sanchez and Cyriaco Ramirez leading the fight against Spanish colonialism. j
1816: Aid to the South American Struggle against Spanish colonialism.
In early 1816, Simon Bolivar came to Haiti looking for support. From president Alexandre Petion he received extensive military supplies, 1400 volunteers, a printing press, money, and food. These contributions were the most significant Bolivar ever received.
1830: Aid to Belgian struggle for independence
In 1808 Belgian revolutionaries recieved the support of the Haitian government in their struggle for independence. After victory, the Belgian adopted Haiti's national motto "In Unity There Is Strength"
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Haiti is now one of the least developed and least stable countries in the Western Hemisphere. While the availability of consumer goods and services is adequate in the capital, Port-au-Prince, other parts of the country experience chronic shortages. Most consumer products are imported and expensive. Haiti has suffered much political unrest over the centuries. At present one could say it has become a nation of children. The present population is aproximately 9,000,000.
A Nation of Children: Four million people are under age 14.
Too many of them are children without parents.
According to official accounts, 250,000 have lost one parent or both to AIDS.
The lack of state support for families, the limited development for community-based programs, and the increasing reliance on institutions makes the environment for care in Haiti very different from that in other countries.
The direct impact: Due to these conditions it is estimated that 200,000 or more children are in orphanages or institutionalized group setting. Unfortunately, the economic strains, and organizational challenges of caring for these children are very limited. Sources: Family Health International FHI/USAID 2005
Long-term institutional care: Care in orphanages is particularly inappropriate for infants, and young children. Once they grow older and have to take care of themselves, the children who have lived in this segregate environment have a difficult time reintegrating the society. In addition to being unprepared for adult life, these children often have emotional withdrawal, mental instability, fearfulness, and reduced learning ability.
ARCF's Solution: We approach every child as an individual who deserves the same respect and dignity as you or I. We strive to provide a warm and loving environment for all our children. The educational, medical, and emotional needs are addressed as well as their social integration into the surrounding community. It is our goal to provide the means necessary for each child to have a successful and prosperous future!! They deserve to have a life full of dreams, and aspirations.
