Questions most often asked about Hot Lunch Program

“Are there public or government run schools?”
Yes, but they are very inadequate and mostpreferred schools are private schools. The vast majority of schools are private and/or parochial.

“Why are Methodist schools considered some of the best schools systems in Haiti?”
 1. Methodist schools provide a mid-morning canteen program
 2. All teachers are trained and certified by the Methodist Church in Haiti
 3. Centralized curriculum
 4. Over 96% of graduating students pass national exams
 5. Some schools provide health and hygiene care

“Can an individual sponsor a child in a Methodist School?”
UMCOR and the Methodist Church of Haiti have no provision for individual child support. There are some who have assisted a child on an individual basis but not through the school system. The reason being the administrative cost of a sponsorship program and the problem of showing preference for some studentsover others.

“Just how much does it cost for a student to attend a Methodist school?”
The average cost for tuition is $250.00 per year and the student is responsible for uniforms and books.

“What can be done to help the students and the schools?”
One of the major problems is paying teachers salaries. It is not uncommon that teachers can teach for 5 months without getting paid. If congregations would sponsor a school by providing tuition grants the funds would help the students and provide funds for teachers salaries.

“Is food shipped to Haiti by UMCOR or any other agency for the feeding program.”
No. There is no food imported for the hot lunch program. All food supplies are purchased locally. UMCOR also provides for the payment of the cooks and for the supplies used to prepare and serve the hot lunch. The children are not charged for the mid-morning lunch.

“Are only children enrolled in the schools permitted to receive a hot lunch?”
In many rural communities children not enrolled in the school come to the school when the lunch is being served. In fact at some schools the hot lunch program (canteen) becomes a community “soup kitchen” for neighborhood children. 

“Do you have to be a Methodist to attend or have your children attend a Methodist school?” No, only about 15 – 30 percent, depending on the area, of the enrollment are related to the Methodist Church.

“How much of the money given to the hot lunch program actually arrives in Haiti and used for the purchase of food and supplies for the children?”
100% goes to the program; there are no administrative expenses paid from the hot lunch account.

“What is the annual cost for the hot lunch program and what percentage of the funding comes From Michigan United Methodists?”
UMCOR requests $300,000.00 (US) annually for the program and United Methodists from Michigan generously support the program by 70%.

“Are there other countries where UMCOR has such a large feeding program?”
No. The Haiti project is a model that UMCOR would like to have in place in other countries.