June 25, 2019
Day 2 closing at the BEST CAMP EVER!
Summer camp has been a part of the HTF story since 2010 when, following the massive earthquake that rocked Haiti, a group from Georgia hosted a small vacation bible school for children in Jacmel to bring some hope and light into their desperate reality. It was such a wonderful event! Since then, HTF has brought hundreds of young people and adults to Haiti to help make camp a reality for 300 local Jacmel children. In 2015, the hope and light expanded into the central plateau region of Haiti where we serve at camps hosted with our partner Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM) , serving more than 1,000 children each year! Summer of 2019 represents the 10th anniversary of the BEST CAMP EVER in Jacmel, and the 5th anniversary of our participation in CLM camps! We had big plans to celebrate these exciting milestones together in Haiti. 
Unfortunately, the current political instability and socioeconomic uncertainty in Haiti meant that our plans had to change. Instead of bringing 60+ US travelers to Haiti for three weeks of camp, we made the decision to cancel group travel as the State Department security alert remained at the highest level 4, and protests disrupted life for Haitians on a daily basis. This meant I would travel to Haiti alone to represent HTF and to work and support our country director, Maya. We worried that without our US team, what would happen to the camps we worked so hard to build and support? In true HTF grassroots and Haitian empowerment fashion, we soon realized that the answers were there all along...
HELPR students to the rescue!
pictured with Maya (r)
For several years we have invited college students from the Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELPR) to serve at camp as interns. This year, we asked those students — twelve in all — to LEAD the Jacmel camp. They have stepped up in a big way! I’m overwhelmed by their maturity, intellect, and spirit. I wish you could be a fly on the wall and overhear the passionate conversations about politics, and justice, and community. These students are so full of life, and I can see the results of the investment HELPR is pouring into them. I can tangibly see and hear the leadership lessons that have been taught. They are so filled with hope for their futures and the future of Haiti, despite the despair of the current political and socioeconomic situation. HTF, and YOU who support our work, are a part of their success. Bravo to you for that! 
More than a few of the students asked me if I was scared to be here. It was so important for me to be able to tell them directly that I am NOT scared, and that we, HTF, are not scared. They now understand how the decision for the full group to not attend this summer is part of our long-term investment in THEM and their futures... and that we will endure all manner of short-term disappointment to ensure their success. 

We hope that US participation in summer camps can resume next year. While our leadership isn’t necessary — our Haitian partners have GOT IT! — our presence is. Students from the US and Haiti have built relationships that will endure and outlast any conflict in either country. Haitian children long to have their ‘blanc’ friends to dance and sing and play with them. The adults cherish the gift of relationships as well.
Yesterday, as I was taking pictures and waiting to blow the whistle (my main camp job!) to indicate it is time to move to the next session, I stepped into a classroom and looked up to see the smiling face of Christine, a young girl who attends school at Pazapa , a school for children with disabilities and longtime partner of HTF. I first met Christine in 2015, and I’ve seen her several times over the years during my trips to Haiti. Her smile is as big as the sun! She was so excited to spot me — the feeling was mutual — and she sought me out at the closing so we could hug and dance. We know that 99% of life is showing up, and HTF will continue to show up, both with our financial commitments and support AND with our presence, as long as we are needed. 
One of HTF's favorite phrases is: "We need Haiti more than Haiti needs us." As North Americans, we may be rich in terms of material and financial resources, but Haitians have much to teach us about the value of community, of perseverance, of hope and so much more. Camp is a gift to ALL of us but, at the end of the day, it is for the children in Haiti for whom life’s circumstances are more than unfair. Thank you for your gifts and support and prayers that empower us to make camp a reality for 274 children in Jacmel this week, and for nearly 1,000 children in the central plateau next month. 
Peace,
Erin Murphy
Executive Director, HTF
Click below to watch a short video
about how HTF is Moving Mountains!
The impact of the HTF community — our partners in Haiti, our covenant communities, the youth and their leaders who consistently choose service above self and bring joy and hope every summer to the children of Haiti, and our generous donors — is incalculable.