Facts About Haiti
Bonjour! That’s “hello” in French, one of the official languages of Haiti. This Caribbean country is known for its rugged terrain as well as its warm, tropical climate. Learn more facts about Haiti right here.
5 Fun Facts About Haiti
Here are some fun facts about Haiti:
Where Is Haiti?
Haiti is a country in the Caribbean Sea. It’s located on the western third of the island of Hispaniola and neighbors Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Key Challenges in Haiti & Our Response
While Haiti features a lovely warm climate and breathtaking mountain ranges, it’s also home to children living in poverty. Those living in impoverished communities face devastating challenges that Compassion is fighting to overcome.
Educational Barriers Keep Kids From Reaching Their Full Potential
In Haiti, only around 10% of schools are public. The remaining 90% are private, and many families can’t afford to pay the required fees. Many children drop out of school because they can’t pay tuition and because they feel pressure to start earning incomes to help care for their families.
Children who can’t go to school struggle to obtain the skills necessary to provide well for themselves later in life, keeping them trapped in poverty.
Our Response: Providing Educational & Vocational Opportunities
Compassion partners with churches in impoverished communities to provide children with access to education. We help parents cover their children’s tuition to ensure they go to school. We also help children access vocational opportunities so they can explore sustainable careers.
With educations, children are empowered to dream of brighter futures beyond poverty, helping them reach their full, God-given potential.
Violence & Unrest Put Children at Risk
Gang violence, political unrest and abuse are challenges that threaten many in Haiti. Violence of any kind places those who are already vulnerable, especially children living in poverty, in serious danger.
Our Response: Prioritizing Child Protection
At Compassion, we take child protection seriously. With the local church, we provide age-appropriate training to all children we serve, teaching them about their rights. We also train our staff and volunteers, ensuring they know how to intervene when they see signs of violence or abuse.
Through the local church, we provide children with activities that keep them away from gangs. Plus, we respond with immediate relief when families are affected by violence in their communities.
Our Impact in Haiti
Compassion has proudly served children and families in Haiti for almost six decades. During this time, we’ve helped release thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through child sponsorship.
Data as of: September 16, 2026
137,931
children served (and counting)
425
churches serving
58
years of serving
Sponsors Bring Life-Changing Hope During Crises
When countries like Haiti face life-threatening crises, child sponsors are on the front lines, bringing hope to children in desperate need. Here’s how.
A Sponsor's Care Means the World to Children in Haiti & Beyond
As a sponsor, your support and encouragement mean more than you could ever know. See what children from countries like Haiti have to say about their sponsors.
How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Haiti
You can help Compassion fight back against child poverty in Haiti in three key ways: