Operation Protect

What is your greatest desire as a parent? To see your children warm, fed, and safe.

For many parents, this is not a reality. Many children go to sleep hungry. Many live in war-torn area of the world. Too often parents can't provide even the basic necessities.

There is an insidious evil that takes advantage of this poverty. In Haiti, possibly the poorest country in the western hemisphere, restevek offers parents living in poverty an option to keep their children fed and safe, but in reality it is nothing more than modern-day slavery. As many as 300,000 children are given to wealthy Haitians who abuse and exploit them.

Restevek stems from deep, generational poverty. No one person or organization can overcome it. But together we can make a difference.

Restevek Freedom and 410 Bridge are partnering with the rural town of La Croix to start a pilot program which will empower churches to help provide safety, self-worth, and support to children, to give them a chance to grow and thrive. The students of Parker Hill want to support and contribute to this effort.

To that end, they will be participating in a 30-Hour Fast this coming weekend, to raise $24,000 for the pilot program. In addition to raising funds, about 150 middle school and high school students will serve the wider community of Northeast Pennsylvania by working at the Keystone Rescue Alliance and Angel's Attic in Scranton, as well as helping local camps prepare for the coming season and serving in various volunteer opportunities.

When asked why he would be participating in this year's 30-Hour Fast, middle schooler Jaime M. said he's "doing this because enslaving children is cruel and mean. This isn't how God wants us to treat each other."

The parents of Haiti need help providing their children with basic needs, and the students of Parker Hill need help reaching their goal. I can't do much, and perhaps you can't, either. It seems like an overwhelming task. What's the old adage? How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

As Jaime said, "I want to help, even if it's only a little; it's still help."

Well said, Jaime!

Support the students of Parker Hill as they raise money for Operation Protect. Go to www.parkerhill.org/30 if you would like to give.

Parker Hill Student 30-Hour Fast 2019