Dear friends:

One of the most interesting and profound programs that Aslan provides for our youth is our summer trip to Haiti.  Due to the difficulties and rigors of this trip, we cannot take more than 5 children at a time.  However, the changes that take place in the life of every Aslan child that goes are astounding.  We have never seen more lasting changes take place in our Aslan kid’s in a shorter amount of time than through Project Haiti.

All of Aslan’s children understand what they do not have.  What Project Haiti does for them is help them understand what they do have! Every young person that has gone to Haiti with Aslan comes from extremely disadvantaged circumstances.  James* was removed from his abusive mother when he was 13.  Fortunately, his great aunt took him in but his twin sister ended up in the foster care system.  Both of Mark’s* parents are deceased.  Thank God for his grandparents who are raising him.  Cheryl’s* mother has been in a state prison since Cheryl was 12.  Latisha* and her family were homeless when they moved to Red Bank.  Marissa* and her brother live with their grandmother.

Each of the 3 teen-aged girls who went to Haiti this August also has a story to tell.  Shantaya* was adopted by her aunt after she and her brother were removed from their drug addicted mother.  Alicia’s* mother has serious alcohol problems, a live-in boyfriend and a son who is dealing drugs.  Both of Janice’s* parents are unemployed, her father is disabled, the family has no car and they are extremely poor.  After going to Haiti, Shantaya said, “I just thought I had it bad!  I’m going to try harder in school, after seeing what the Haitian children have to go through.”  Upon returning to America, Janice (who assisted our Aslan nurses at the clinic) said, “Who knows?  Maybe I’ll become a doctor and go back to Ouanaminthe someday to work at the clinic!”  Alicia said, “I’m going back with Aslan in February!  I loved helping the Haitian children.  This has changed my life!”

Project Haiti and every Aslan activity is tailored for this: to change children’s lives from the inside out and to permanently alter their point of view!  We are ever aware that this would not be possible without caring people like you.  From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your gifts and for your prayers.

May God bless you!
 Craig
Craig Bogard