In Northwest Haiti, rare is the man who lives to see his sixties.
For the few men and women who do live that long, the “golden years” are often filled with neglect. Many elderly Haitians suffer from crippling disabilities or early onset dementia, and they are unable to earn any income.
There are no government services to provide for elderly Haitians, known as “gran moun.” Too often, gran moun have no family to care for them.
Gran Moun Quick Facts
- The average life expectancy for Haitians born before the year 2000 is less than 50 years – compared to 77 years in the United States and 79 in Canada.
- Seniors (age 65 and up) make up just 4 percent of Haiti’s population – compared to 13 percent in the United States.
- Total average health care spending per person in Haiti is only $21 a year. In the United States, it is more than $4,200 a year.
- The elderly in Haiti are among the most vulnerable to illness and hunger.
How Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is Helping
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission began reaching out to gran moun early in its history. Troubled by the large numbers of seniors they saw sleeping on porches and in dilapidated, abandoned buildings, NWHCM missionaries partnered with an organization to develop a shelter for destitute elderly in Port-de-Paix.
Today, the mission runs a feeding program for elderly community members whose families cannot afford food for them. Mission staff bring food to shut-ins. And the mission operates a 38-bed residential “retirement” facility in St. Louis du Nord, where needy gran moun live under the attention of full-time staff and receive comprehensive medical care.
How You Can Help
We don’t charge a penny for our Gran Moun services. Our residential program is funded by sponsorships from people like you.
Become a Sponsor
For only $75 a month, you can make a difference today in the life of an elderly Haitian by becoming a Gran Moun Sponsor. Your gift will provide them with all the food, shelter and medical care they need to celebrate the last years of their life. You will receive photos and updates throughout the year, as well as special opportunities to communicate with and bless them. Sponsors are also welcome to come on mission trips and have the opportunity to meet the gran moun and visit their home. Through you, they will see Christ’s love at work and they will know that even when society has forgotten them, God has not.
Make a One-Time Gift
You can also give to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission’s “Feeding the Thousands” program, which funds our feeding programs for needy gran moun in towns across northwest Haiti.
Donate to the Feeding the Thousands program.
