Retired: Thinking Round Up & Haiti

The Bishop's Round Up Against Hunger, an area hunger project begun nearly 40 years ago by Kansas East Conference, was the life saver of our Scholarship Project in Haiti from 2008 to the present. Since the change in the Conference there has been confusion about who and how Round Up will continue to meet needs as in the past. Actual money for the many hunger programs has also been reduced by uncertainty and our failure to get information out in a timely manner.

The last meeting of BRUAH it was decided to make some changes to increase interest but mostly to make it once again a program that addresses hunger ministries in an interesting, educational, and timely manner. Plus, have Round Up once again be an event for renewal of relationships, education and FUN mission and  ministry.

It appeals to young people and mission minded church folks. We would like to increase the appeal to all interested in feeding the poor and hungry in our communities and our third Conference partnership in Haiti. Can only do that with publicity and planning. So....we plan some changes and now is the time to start doing what we talked about.

March VIM trip allowed us the opportunity to meet with nearly all  the Haitian university graduates and the family of those who have married. So impressed with all of them, as they came in together and we greeted self assured, professional young men and women.


When asked "what now" almost as one voice they said "now it is time for us to do what you did".  Then they explained, they can not find work as professional educated specialists, because of nepotism and politics in Haiti. Salaries are still minimal and limited. They want to begin their own businesses, hire motivated employees AND pay them adequate salaries and eventually offer them assistance with education.

At the last Round Up meeting I offered to take on some new responsibility. So far we have scheduled a Country Gospel Group: Marilyn and Friends who will play during the morning and play for worship that will be the final event of a busy day. We will be sending letters soon with information for food distribution, partnership support and new projects to deal with hunger in our Conference & Haiti.

Photos are the son of Enickson Villiere who graduated from a Five year Computer Science Major.  Others are Gamaniel Laurent and Fedner Clovil, both Civil Engineers.