What is the CPOD Sponsorship Program?
SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM (SSP)
HAITI CHRISTIAN MINISTRY CENTER (HCMC)
“EVANGELISM THROUGH EDUCATION”
The HCMC was founded by Pastor Lavaud Cheristin in the early 90’s. The HCMC encompasses many different ministries in and surrounding Hinche, Haiti. The desire is to meet many of the needs of people in Hinche, both physical and spiritual, through education, evangelism, provision, and missionary work. Currently there are many ministries running on and through our campus, as well as 3 church plants in surrounding communities.
CPOD School
CPOD stands for Centre Polytechnique Oswald Durand. This school was founded by Pastor Lavaud to help educate willing students in Hinche. The school serves to provide basic K-12 education, with an additional Technical School for graduated students. With the sponsorship program, we seek to enhance lives by providing all students with a high school graduate education augmented by the following trade skills: computer science, seamstress/tailoring, accounting, electricity, welding, carpentry and plumbing.
HAITI CHRISTIAN MINISTRY CENTER (HCMC)
“EVANGELISM THROUGH EDUCATION”
The HCMC was founded by Pastor Lavaud Cheristin in the early 90’s. The HCMC encompasses many different ministries in and surrounding Hinche, Haiti. The desire is to meet many of the needs of people in Hinche, both physical and spiritual, through education, evangelism, provision, and missionary work. Currently there are many ministries running on and through our campus, as well as 3 church plants in surrounding communities.
CPOD School
CPOD stands for Centre Polytechnique Oswald Durand. This school was founded by Pastor Lavaud to help educate willing students in Hinche. The school serves to provide basic K-12 education, with an additional Technical School for graduated students. With the sponsorship program, we seek to enhance lives by providing all students with a high school graduate education augmented by the following trade skills: computer science, seamstress/tailoring, accounting, electricity, welding, carpentry and plumbing.
About the School: Yesterday & Today
The Need for a School: Caring for the children of Haiti
In 1988, Lavaud Cheristin, a native of Hinche, saw many poor illiterate kids in the streets, barefoot and in dirty clothes while nobody cared for them. On Sunday afternoons walking in the streets, Lavaud was deeply touched just seeing them, because the Haitian government does nothing for the street kids. That year, Lavaud organized an elementary school with 17 students. His dream was to evangelize them through education, encompassing the children’s total care.
Evangelism through Education: Reaching the Lost
In Haiti, education without evangelization is often of no effect, because of the high percentage of poverty and the influence of voodoo. Both voodoo and superstition are very heavily practiced and influential in Haitian’s lives. For example, when sick, most of the people think that a witch doctor can heal them better than the medical doctors, even if someone has a simple fever and headache. The truth is that most often the witch doctors give the wrong medicine and the patient dies. Evangelizing gives students a chance to overcome spiritual, medical, and other resource barriers.
After establishing the school, Lavaud, the founding director, went to the States in a 2 year program sponsored by US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT which aims to train community leaders to improve community conditions in Haiti. Lavaud graduated with straight A’s and came back with the first computer in town, with which he started the first computer school with 10 students behind one screen.
Community Development: Fulfilling Individual and Regional Needs
In the last 10 years, over 1,200 students have attended classes at CPOD, attaining education in elementary and secondary (K-12) levels, and advancing to specialized technical education relevant to local workforce placement needs. Morning and evening elementary and secondary classes are provided, in addition to technical classes in the following areas: accounting, sewing, plumbing and numerous varied computer classes. As well as evangelization through education, our goal is to train students for the most current jobs in the community.
Many of the graduates are offered job placement in regional financial, religious, government, and non-government organizations. One of the first 17 students is now the area head of an international organization, earning a good monthly salary. Also, one of the first students in computer is now the area head of a Micro Credit next to the school. Our students leave our campus as new creations, ready and equipped to successfully partner with area businesses and organizations, building a stronger community. The generous support from sponsorship program mentors enhances the lives of each and every student, their families, and the entire community.