The WISH Feeding Program is a vital extension of the West Indies Self Help mission in Anse-à-Galets, specifically designed to combat the “silent emergency” of malnutrition on the island of La Gonâve. While the Ice House provides the infrastructure for food preservation, the Feeding Program provides the direct, life-sustaining nutrition required for the island’s most vulnerable residents.
Program Overview
The initiative primarily focuses on school-aged children, recognizing that hunger is the single greatest barrier to education and cognitive development. In this remote “village” supported by WISH, the meal provided by the program is often the only hot, nutritious meal a child will eat in a day.
Key Statistics and Impact
The program operates with a focus on consistency and high-impact nutrition, often utilizing fortified food blends to reverse the effects of stunting and wasting.
- Annual Reach: WISH serves approximately 25,000 meals per year to children in the community of Anse a Galet, Haiti
- Menu: The staple meal typically consists of beans and rice, often supplemented with local produce and spices.
- Economic Support: The program hires local Haitian cooks, providing employment and ensuring that the food is prepared according to local tastes and traditions.
A Faith-Based Perspective: “The Bread of Life”
The Feeding Program is viewed by the WISH ministry as a practical application of the Gospel—meeting physical needs to open the door for spiritual engagement.
- Mirroring the Miracles: The mission views the distribution of food as a modern reflection of Christ feeding the five thousand. It is an act of “Radical Hospitality,” showing children that they are seen and valued by God.
- Compassion in Action: Based on the mandate in Isaiah 58:10 (“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed…”), the program is not seen as “charity” but as a “partnership” with the community.
- The Bridge to the Heart: Missionaries often describe a feeding program as the “bridge” to the community. By quieting the “pain of the stomach,” they create a space where the “peace of the soul” can be discussed.
Integrated Sustainability
WISH does not view feeding as a standalone handout. It is increasingly integrated with Agricultural Development initiatives through partner organizations, such as their date palm and Moringa projects. The goal is a “Farm-to-School” model where the island eventually produces enough surplus to sustain its own children without external aid.
Our Partners
This feeding program is generously supported by:
- Quest Church of St Louis, Missouri
- Individual Donors