Welcome to the St. Francis of Assisi Haiti Page.

St. Francis of Assisi is twinned with a sister parish in Leon, Haiti named St. Paul's. To find out more about the history of this relationship and our work in Haiti, click here.

We also sponsor a medical mission to Haiti three times a year. To find out more click here. Recently Verena Anders, our Music director, went to Haiti. Click here to read her story in the Parish Times.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. 80% of Haiti's population lives in poverty.

• Haiti was the first black republic in the world, receiving its independence from France in 1804.
• Haiti was depleted of its riches by the voilent Duvalier dictatorships.
• A new democratic constitution was approved in 1987
• 75% of Haitians do not have access to safe drinking water.
• 50% of children under the age of 5 are malnourished.
• 50% of the population earns $60 or less per year (median income).
• Less than 50% of the school-age children attend primary school.
• The life expectancy of a child at birth is 51.58 years for a male, 54.31 years for a female.

"Haiti is a poverty-stricken land of urban overpopulation, denuded hillsides and a people suffering the wounds of civil strife and oppression. It is also a vibrant country of colourful art, fantastic music, cloud forests and an intensely spiritual people whose humour and passion are legendary." (From the Lonely Planet Destination Guide)