I am Dr. Garfield Sanon (a Haitian staff member). I worked at GVCM clinic for 4 years as a physician. On a daily basis, we'd see an average of 60 patients (babies, toddlers, adults, pregnant women, seniors). They come from everywhere with all kinds of diseases (typhoid, malaria, gastritis, HIV, diarrhea, hyptertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, asthma, conjunctivitis, flu, recent or infected wound...). We take care of those we can treat and refer the others to specialized hospitals. However, the main challenge is that the majority of patients live below the poverty line and cannot even afford the consultation fees, let alone buy the drugs. (Many of whom, we waive the fee and treat for free.) That being said, it was a blessing and such an honor to help people through GVCM, especially the medically underserved population.
Had an amazing first missionary trip with GVCM! They prepared the way for us before the trip and when we arrived everything was set. They share the love of Christ naturally expecting nothing in return and it shows. They know how to care for their flock in a foreign location and I would definitely recommend supporting or joining them!
Pastor Yves and the staff have a Hugh heart for God. My name is David Reed a carpenter volunteer for missions from Calvary PSL, Florida. I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic, where GVCM is establishing a outreach ministry in Barahona and San Juan areas. Our team from Calvary held four VBS’s , one in Barahona at an elementary school, two in different Batey towns (farming community near sugar cane fields). One in Batey area outside San Juan.
Bringing hope and love to those communities, through , games, crafts, snacks, and a bible story.
You expect to change lives and you are the one who comes back changed.
Please pray for this new mission and see where God would like you to help.
Previous Stories
My name is David Reed and recently returned from spending 50 days at the Orphange in Mirebalais. There I worked along side, with some of the staff members. Joel the electrician, locating breaker panels. Jude the Maintance man helped in providing keys to buildings, rooms and containers for needed tools. Rasaldo a young man the works on the water system. He is also in charge of the newly installed solar power drinking water system ( UV and reverse osmosis) that was completed shortly after my arrival and I was the first American to drink from it. No more purchasing drinking water. Pastor Yves has done a marvelous job here.
GVCM is an outstanding humanitarian effort for the people of Haiti. The organization does an amazing job of helping orphans through charitable giving and building a sustainable local organization and infrastructure. They coordinate volunteers extremely well, and they are a model of efficiency and effectiveness. I have a deep respect and admiration for how this organization is managed and run.
Randy Forrey
I have been involved with GVCM since it's beginning. The Executive Director, Yves Prophet is not just an able leader, he is passionate about helping his fellow Haitians to not just have a better way of life, but that through better living conditions, stronger educational opportunities, and faith in God through Jesus more Haitians will experience eternal life!
GVCM can use your funding, your time and your prayers.
I have made four trips to Haiti in the less five years, the last two under the auspices of GVCM. I am impressed with the heart and energy of Pastor Yves and his organization. They are certainly doing all the right things in Haiti to bring up a new generation of men and women who follow Jesus - the only thing that will turn Haiti around from its endless cycle of violence, poverty and hopelessness...GVCM just needs the resources to do more of it!
I am impressed with the adherence GVCM has to their stated core values of building the church, impacting the community(ies) and supporting the children. These pillars values are always evident and guide their decisions. I think I most like the emphasis they place on the role of the church in community life: focus on training pastors, wells on church property that are available to all, sharing food from the church, etc.
Karen A
So glad to have been in on the sustainable farm that our church helped create there in Haiti.
Larry M Elder at Foothills Church Boise..
gvcmadmin 10/11/2022
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to making the farm work! We appreciate you and everyone at Foothills!
I made my first trip to All God's Children orphanage nearly 10 years ago. When asked by Pastor Yves to help develop a farm on their land, I was a bit reluctant. Over 20 trips to Haiti later, Vision Farm is really doing what we'd hoped. It's providing nourishing food for the children and staff and providing employment for 11 of our Haitian friends. This adventure has been one of the most purposeful things in my life. My family and our church,Gooding First Christian, have donated to GVCM since that early mission trip many years ago.
gvcmadmin 10/11/2022
The farm is such a blessing to our children and staff. Thank you for taking the steps to make it a reality!
My partnership with GVCM began in late 2011 in a post-earthquake era where much help was needed and few were left to go. I happened to say yes. I went to provide grassroots healthcare to those who could not take time away from work or afford transportation to get to a clinic. My heart was broken by a people so gracious and loving, in desperate need yet full of joy and just looking for a way to a better life. With bi-annual visits, we were able to slowly make an impact on the rural communities in the central plateau. Through partnering with GVCM and other ministries, a clinic was able to be established and consistent healthcare was made available to local communities. The staff of doctors and nurses, lab technicians and ancillary personnel are local to the area and provide compassionate care. We are thankful for the opportunity to financially support the clinic on a monthly basis and would challenge others to come into partnership with this incredible ministry. Since COVID, our trips have been harder to pull off but we are looking forward to working with our friends very soon.
gvcmadmin 10/11/2022
Thanks for EVERYTHING you do! You have been such a blessing for many, many years and we appreciate you so very much. We are looking forward to seeing you again here soon!
I so miss going to Haiti. I miss their faith in the Lord. They know how to worship! I miss the hugs from the children and helping with the school. I pray that we will be able to return
gvcmadmin 10/11/2022
And we know that they miss you as well! We hope you can come back someday soon. Thanks for all you have done and still do!
Amazing ministry and people! Grateful for the faithfulness and steadfastness of this team and ministry through the years and looking forward to many more wonderful testimonies of God's work and faithfulness through GVCM in the years to come!!!
gvcmadmin 10/11/2022
Thank you for your support and dedication to the people in Haiti!
My husband and I have supported the vital work of this ministry and our good friends volunteer in the orphanage, the self sustaining farm, and the medical missions outreach. Their pictures, videos and stories are WONDERFUL!
gvcmadmin 10/03/2022
Thank you so much for your support and dedication to the people and children in Haiti! We so appreciate you!
GVCM is an amazing organization! I have worked with them for many years now and they are truly serving the Lord in such an incredible way. It is rare to find a Haitian-led ministry in Haiti, especially one that is doing work as efficiently as GVCM is. Their impact in the community is truly seen in the great need that they are needing within and outside the orphanage walls. GVCM has blessed many Haitians and brought many more to Jesus and I have enjoyed my partnership with them immensely.
gvcmadmin 01/20/2022
Thanks all your work and service in Haiti with us, Cecilia! You are a blessing both when you're in Haiti and when you're not and we appreciate you!
GVCM is an incredible organization that is helping to serve, love, educate, protect, and spread the gospel to the Haitian people. Our organization has had the blessing of participating on short term missions trips with GVCM since 2011 and it has been amazing to see how GVCM has changed and desired to open up different opportunities to the children at the orphanage as well as the communities they serve. The children have a safe, secure home with food, shelter, protection, clothing, education, and vocational training. The older students are getting opportunities to go to Universities. The communities they serve are receiving the word of Christ, having churches built in their areas, food is being distributed, clean water is being given out, and pastors are being trained. GVCM has a medical clinic that sees thousands of people throughout the year. They are a light to their community and a beacon of hope. We have been so thankful to have them as our ministry partners.
gvcmadmin 11/03/2021
Thank you GoInc for you heart to serve the people of Haiti! Thank you for partnering with us!
I have been blessed to be a volunteer and child sponsor of Global Vision Citadel Ministries since 2013. During that time, through God‘s provision and the tireless and dedicated work of the GVCM staff in Haiti and volunteers from the US, children's lives have been transformed by Christian education in 24 schools, nutritional needs are met through a sustainable farm and health care is provided by medical teams from the US as well as a Haitian staffed medical clinic .
We have had the joy of seeing our sponsored children grow into healthy teenagers with hope and opportunities for a successful future.
gvcmadmin 10/28/2021
You have been a great help and encouragement to our staff in Haiti and the US for many years! Thank you for your dedication to your sponsor children and to the furthering of the Gospel in Haiti.
GVCM has been instrumental in my life blessing me through the kids and believers I have come in contact to. We have partnered to build many church and to see people come to Christ. We'll be continuing to work together for the glory of God.
I have been to Haiti with GVCM three times and have seen first hand the way God is using them to reach the people of Haiti for Christ. They do it by meeting physical needs first, being the hands and feet of Christ and then meeting the spiritual needs. On my trips, I have been part of a medical team traveling to many different areas to provide treatment and medicines to those who have no way to travel to a doctor. I have been blessed beyond words. I have also spent time at the orphanage in Mirebalais and seen the wonderful care, schooling and spiritual leadership the children receive. Pastor Yves is truly a Man of God, full of love for the people of Haiti.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunities to work with Global Vision Citadelle Ministries over the years. I have taught in their seminaries for pastors and leaders of Churches related to GVCM. During those times I have also witnessed the amazing educational work through their schools and orphanage. The new clinic and medical teams have tremendously benefited the people and communities of Haiti. Pastor Yves Prophet is the Director of GVCM, leading a great expansion of ministries and impact.
As a former staff member, my wife and I spent nearly two years living and working with this ministry (we raised most of our own support to be there, so we were as much volunteers as employees). We were drawn there by the Haitian-led ministry model that leverages a large network of churches to identify and meet needs through real relationships. I have seen the inside of the finances, and I continue to be amazed by how much ministry is done with the money they have. Their dollar-for-dollar impact is as much as 20 times as great as other organizations which have far more Americans on staff. Leveraging local talent is not the easy way to work, but the payoff in the lives of both the Haitian staff and the people served is undeniable. Furthermore, I have never met anyone more committed to serving others than the director, Pastor Yves.
I have given two years of my life to this ministry – I can highly recommend them to anyone who wishes to contribute to an organization that is truly making a difference.
GVCM changed our hearts for Haiti! They accomplish so very much with so very little. The care for the children and the communities, so very needed, done so very well.
I have served at GVCM twice now and love what this mission is all about. Their ability to do so much with so little amazes me! With mostly Haitian staff, they are truly improving the lives of Haitians and teaching them how to improve their communities. I am impressed at the quality of education the children receive at their schools and the nurturing environment at the orphanage. This organization is truly making an impact for Christ in rural Haiti!
GVCM is so amazing and the work they do is so important! Visiting the orphanage, school and hospital impacted me in such a huge way, and they are making huge waves in Haiti! They are inspiring hope to people in Haiti and worldwide, it’s amazing to see!
Review from Guidestar
I have been to GVCM multiple times. I am often asked why I keep going back. I could tell story after story of why, but my response is "just come with me one time and you will understand". The children and staff at GVCM are precious. I always go with the intent to be a blessing and come away being so blessed by them. GVCM is an awesome place for Mission Trips! It is a refuge for over 130 children from the broken world around them where they are taught to rely on Jesus and to live for Him. It is also awesome to give to an organization that you can go to and see the work the Lord is doing!
Came down to help with some general construction. Had a wonderful time. The people are nice and welcoming and the mountains are breathtaking. Come on down if you want to make a difference. The door is always open.
This is my second time to GVCM in the last year. This is a first-class operation and very well run. I love their concept of working with the local churches to find and fill the needs of the local people. I think everyone knows Haiti has massive needs. But just throwing money or supplies is not the answer. Like any major problem, you need a well thought out game plan in order to maximize the RIO. These guys seem to do it better than I have seen with many of the other nonprofits. Don't get me wrong, there are many other great non-profits working in Haiti, I'm just saying, you can't go wrong helping GVCM further God's work in this wonderful country.
This was my second visit to the GVCM compound near Mirebalais, Haiti. The first trip was an exploratory mission with another church member. This first visit convinced me that GVCM had an effective model for rendering gospel laden service to the Haitian people. I came back eight months later with a small team of four and an extra $2,500 that our church had raised for missions project. We were able to present $2,000 cash on site which was immediately applied to a contract to provide much needed reinforcement and repair of the security wall that surrounds the GVCM compound. We were actually able to observe and in a minor way participate in this wall work for the week our team was in Haiti. We applied $500 to purchasing school supplies and other children items and over-the -counter drugs for the GVCM medical clinic. We saw individual children who were thrilled to receive new backpacks and the medical clinic was very appreciative for the augmentation to their medicinal inventory.
Additionally, my small team went through old collections of construction material and organized and sorted and stored them in a new materials storage mini-warehouse on the property. We also participated in some much needed carpentry work. If that wasn’t enough, we led two 2-hour mini-VBS sessions at two different rural church/schools. Each mini-VBS was attended by over 150 children. The children immensely enjoyed the games, tasty snacks we brought, the translated Bible lessons and the hugs and attention.
Lastly, we attended the GVCM worship service and our presence along with another team was a clear encouragement to the poor struggling Christians of the area. Our traveling in the immediate area and interaction with Haitians continually opened our hearts and minds to greater works that we might be a part of in future mission trips.
I had the absolute blessing to work alongside some of the most generous, caring, and God-honoring individuals over the past 6 years while serving with GVCM in Haiti. I was able to see both the heart behind each aspect of the ministry as well as the fruit of the labor. I was blessed to see how GVCM ministers not only to the people across the countryside of Haiti but also to individuals in America, giving them an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ to their brothers and sisters in another country.
The foundation of this ministry is honoring the Lord, the vision of the leadership is on the Kingdom of God, and the heartbeat of every dollar spent is to further the reach of the gospel into the heart of every individual who has ears to hear.
One specific thing I find to be very special and unique about this ministry is the way it allows each person with a heart to serve Jesus by using the gifts and passions He has imparted to them to do just that. There is no cookie-cutter approach to ministry or missions. They have a vision and a mission, listen to the heart of those who desire to serve, and work with the Lord to find a way to fit the two together.
If you are looking for a way to bring your 'loaves and fish' to the Lord and watch him multiply it a thousand fold...this ministry will help you do just that, however that looks in your life.
May the Lord bless your desire to serve His children.
I was very impressed with the whole setup and philosophy of ministry behind GVCM. It is one thing to read about the ministry and hear all that they do, it is a whole other thing to visit the ministry, serve with them and really see how they use the donations that come in. You get a great sense of just how far $5 can go and that they look to make the most impact possible with the funds you give. Their model of Church, Community, Children and the purpose behind each pillar of that model is one any person can get behind. We were able to see that the churches they help are, in turn, impacting the communities around them in amazing ways. I feel very confident, as a senior pastor, to encourage my congregation to look to give and partner with GVCM. I hope to have more teams come down and serve in missions capabilities as well as give to this ministry. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, caring and hospitable and the accommodations are also fantastic. If you are looking for a ministry that is reaching the ones in the places often forgotten about, you need to look into GVCM. If you are looking for a ministry to partner with for short term missions, you should look into GVCM. If you are looking for a ministry to think about serving in a full-time status, you should look into GVCM.
I love the work that GVCM does. We were invited to visit GVCM to explore all the different facets of work that they do. The core work that they do not only involves helping to support the churches in Haiti, but they also help setup schools and orphanages.
My friend and I stayed at GVCM for about 5 days. The power and water is not always consistent, however that comes with being in Haiti. Overall it was great fun seeing how the love of God is lived out by GVCM. Would love to come back again!
God is certainly using Gvcm to reach the people of Haiti with the gospel. Hard to put into words. it's an experience you should have first hand
My experience at GVCM was awesome! The work being done there through the Haitian
pastors is so rewarding to see. So glad our church is involved with this ministry. Nice to see that our support is being used to touch so many people!
I love Global Vision, it's an organization full of people committed to loving the people of Haiti to God Himself. After many trips, my heart is full of moments watching and being transformed. Using the tools of teaching, preaching, medical, food and prayer God changes lives and hearts. I love joining God as He redeems His children.
I started going to GVCM in Haiti about 5 years ago and have loved every minute of it. The staff at the orphanage are like my second family and will forever have a piece of my heart. I go several times a year and will continue to do so. Pastor Yves is an amazing man of God and a very special person to me and my family.
Myself and my church, Community Life Church-Shawnee, KS, has been working with GVCM and Yves for over ten years. This has been the best experience we have ever had with a Global Partner. We have found GVCM to be a ministry of Godliness, purpose and integrity. Our partnership with one of the GVCM churches in Colora, Haiti has helped connect our congregation to another church to spread the Gospel of Jesus beyond our borders. It is truly a partnership were we have the resources to support them but we get the best of the partnership their prayers. I would encourage any church, individual or family to become a sponsor and you will not be disappointed. Pastor Chris Winn, Lead Pastor
It has been a blessing to be a part of this great organization. God has put the Phophetes in my path and I have tried my best to fulfill his vision for the organization. Thru the Lord’s blessing and strength I was able to make several trips to the mother land and I am praying that the Lord direct my path that someday I can really be token of blessings thru this ministry for the people of Haiti and for His glory.
GVCM has been a great blessing to me and my family over the past few years. Visiting the orphanage for the first time is overwhelming. The amount of Love that comes from the children and staff overwhelms us each time we drive into the orphanage. I would recommend visiting the Island whenever possible.
I have recently returned from my fifth trip to share in the ministry of GVCM. Two of the trips included medical personnel from the congregation I served at the time. GVCM’s relationship with the people they serve opened wonderful doors to bring needed medical attention. The last two trips have been to provide training to the pastor’s in the network of almost 60 churches across Haiti associated with GVCM. Nearly 80 pastors, deacons and others attended the teaching conferences. Their joy and commitment to serving Christ is evident, even in the face of the many challenges they face. This network of GVCM churches provides the foundation of the GVCM ministry, but does not fully define its scope. Seventeen school educated thousands of students. (80% of education in Haiti comes from private schools.) Over twenty other ministries, including the Vision Farm, a new medical clinic, a school for the deaf and orphanage for 130 children expand GVCM’s ministry to tens of thousands each year.
I believe the indigenous Haitian leadership of GVCM gives special heart to the work they do. Those who are engaged day to day in envisioning and engaging ministry know the culture and know the people. They serve with dedication and generosity in seeking to respond to the multitude of ministry opportunities in their nation.
GVCM was Awesome! Abby and Nathan were wonderful hosts and took great care of us and whatever needs we had. The ministry here is amazing! The kids were amazing and God was here in every way. We were blessed by all. Thank you GVCM for what you are doing! Your mission is Awesome!
Simply amazing!!! To see God working in Haiti at this orphanage! I got to say there are no words to describe how bless we are to be serving as volunteers with Nate and Abby and loving on this kids who are amazing too
We were invited by our pastor to go with him to provide a pastor's conference for the pastor's affiliated with GVCM in Haiti. We wanted to learn more about the behind the scenes missionary work as well. We were not only pleasantly surprised with the comforts of our room and board, but the details and planning, even when we went off the plan, were accommodated without hesitation. And the kids are wonderful! So many wonderful people, we will definitely be back.
I'm a pastor in Colorado and I partner with GVCM to train the pastors of Haiti. Pastoral training is the greatest need in developing countries and GVCM is doing a tremendous job pouring into these men of God.
I joined a team from my church for a mission trip through GVCM in January 2019, and I was very impressed by the work they do. The children at the orphanage are well cared for and educated, giving them so much more opportunity than most of their countrymen. They were fed and had access to medical care. The staff were very helpful to our team, enabling us to serve the partner churches/schools and the pastors who lead them. We would not have been able to navigate the culture of their culture to offer any help to the people without their support with planning, translation, safety concerns, negotiating business, and host of other issues. Not only are they tremendous in the work that they perform on behalf of the people of Haiti, they are a conduit for teams of people to be able to come in and have an impact as well.
I had the amazing privilege to travel to GVCM in the winter and I will never forgot the time I had there! All the staff and pastor Yves where so welcoming and caring! I love all that GVCM is doing in Haiti with their schools, churches, and orphanages!! I got to meet some of the sweetest kids and I love them all dearly! One of the things I love it that they have a deaf house and school and I learned sign language so I was able to talk and connect with them! If you ever have the opportunity to visit GVCM you definitely should!!
I had a wonderful time at Global Vision Citadelle Ministries. Their accommodations exceeded my expectations! I love how they are planting churches and running an orphanage for over 120 precious children! I was able to connect with and play with lots of the children, and loved it so much! The children stole my heart. Also Pastor Yves was so welcoming. I have looked forward to returning since I got back home!
I have had the great privilege of getting to know the people of Haiti, more specifically the people of GVCM over the the last 3 years. I am proud to say that the people of GVCM have become family. It has been a blessing and an honor to serve alongside GVCM on several different levels. GVCM welcomes and loves everyone with open arms and a serving heart.
The heart of GVCM is truly to serve. With 58 churches, 17 schools and All God's Children Orphanage, GVCM is truly bringing the hope and light of Christ into the darkest depths of Haiti. I have had the opportunity to see with my own two eyes the great impact that GVCM is making, not just on each of the communities that they have churches and schools located in, but truly the entire country of Haiti. It seems as if every Haitian I've ever talked to outside of GVCM, whether in the airport or a surrounding community, knows of the kind heart that Pastor Yves so fully and so willingly loves others with. I've never met a GVCM Pastor who has ever not prayed over myself and the people I am with. I've never encountered a GVCM Staff Member who has ever hesitated to serve and assist however they may be able to. When I travel to Haiti, I have the opportunity to stay at All God's Children Orphanage and the children will change your life. I have developed deep relationships with many of the children in the orphanage who have rocked my world and changed my way of thinking and loving. I couldn't be more thankful for the work that God is doing through Pastor Yves, the Staff, Pastors, Children and Ministry of GVCM. Mesi Jezi!
GVCM is an amazing organization that impacts many lives in Haiti. They are resourceful with the resources they have and work extremely hard to meet the needs of as many people as possible. They support many communities develop by helping to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the people they serve. While staying at GVCM, the staff is extremely hospitable and willing to help in any way they can, if you have a question or need something all you have to do is ask and they will do whatever they can to help your stay go smoothly. They value each and every one of the children in their care at all God’s Children Orphanage and do all they can to help each child reach their fullest potential. I am so thankful for all that GVCM does in Haiti and I am so thankful that I have gotten to play a small part in serving with them.
I have been visiting GVCM for almost a year. I have made five trips to the orphanage because my first trip opened my eyes to not only the needs of the children there but to how even the smallest work of kindness can go a very long way, both materially and especially emotionally or spiritually. The orphanage has always been so welcoming and thankful for anything I’ve done and has taught me so much about human connection. Their staff give their whole lives to care for the children and the families around them. It’s inspired me to do the same.
I recently traveled to GVCM in Dec 2018 with other volunteers from my home church. From the moment we arrived to the airport to the moment we left GVCM was there to welcome us and assist us the whole way through. Entering GVCM was like entering a safe haven in the middle of Haiti. They provide a safe space for the volunteers and orphans to walk hand in hand and connect with one another. Even more they provide a life for the orphans that guarantee them protection, food, shelter, community, education, a clinic and a church. GVCM is more than an organization, it’s a big family with the Lord as their foundation. The amount of love I received during my one week visit was inspiring. To say a visit to GVCM is life changing is an understatement. It’s been over a month and my heart is still full. GVCM has encouraged me to live a life that gives more for the Lord and for others. I encourage everyone to step out in faith and visit GVCM at least once in their life. What you end up receiving is far more than you could ever give back.
GVCM is an absolutely wonderful organization that does such amazing work in the lives of Haitian communities. I led a team of young adults to Haiti in December of 2018, and was welcomed immensely by the staff there. We were able to work alongside Paster Yves and many others that work at the GVCM orphanage and school to distribute shoes to the kids in the surrounding areas. This organization goes above and beyond for their visitors, but their compassion and love for the people of Haiti is what sets them apart. This organization is God-honoring, and aims to share the gospel and the love of Christ with the people of Haiti in any way they can. I would recommend GVCM to anyone who is looking for an organization in Haiti to work alongside with!
I’ve traveled to Haiti and supported GVCM for many years. It’s been exciting to see this ministry’s growth and success in changing the future of Haiti. The leadership is prayerful, selfless and driven. This ministry has changed and improved countless lives in Haiti and America, including mine. I strongly encourage support of GVCM and travel to Haiti and allow GVCM to change your life too.
Review from Guidestar
The GVCM organization has truly blessed many, many lives with very little funding. With over 130 children, ~58 churches, ~17 schools and a large sustained farm this operation is extremely busy. Every visit I have made has been truly an awesome experience. The staff does all that they can to in sure a good experience for visitors.
I have been part of this ministry since it began in 2000. I have traveled throughout the country doing medical clinics, training pastors, preaching and visiting churches. GVCM has always taken care of me and my teams. There have been some challenges and hardships along the way but the people of GVCM have always been there and helped us through.
GVCM has made a difference in 1000’s of lives- Haitians and the volunteers that visit Haiti. Pastor Yves is a man of integrity who has sacraficed much to help is fellow Haitians. I have traveled to Haiti for many years and have seen so many improvements it is hard to even name all the good that has been accomplished!
Thousands of kids attend schools sponsored by GVCM, a farm is producing food, wells have been dug in many communities, a clinic has recently built and every year multiple remote villages receive medical attention, over 100 kids are growing up in a safe home receiving education and food and love, a library was established, a radio station promotes Christian living, homes have been built for widows, preachers are trained and churches are growing...the list goes on and on.
If you want an experience and opportunity that will change your life and improve the situation for those in Haiti, volunteer for a trip to GVCM and serve with other like minded people or be blessed by giving funds to help the Gospel be lived out in action!
Global Vision Citadelle Ministries has been a huge blessing to our church family. We have brought over 100 people over several trips to serve the people of Haiti alongside GVCM. We have seen God move in many ways in the lives of our team and the communities we have visited. The orphanage is an amazing place to identify and visit the children you can sponsor. That's right, you can visit the child you sponsor. There are several churches and schools within the GVCM network that you can serve in many ways as well. Pastor Yves is a man of integrity and his staff is a great team to work with.
Pastor Matthew Misiano
Care and Missions Pastor
Calvary PSL
Over the years I have helped dozens of orphanages from Cameroon to Calcutta, where in the 1970s I once volunteered in Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying Destitute. I know the difference between service and disservice. But whether Christian or non-Christian when the leader ( in this case GVCM’s head pastor) and volunteers live far better than the orphans they come to serve, then ask yourself, who is the orphanage really for? And when the GVCM’s Haitian accountant drives a nice Montero 4x4, but asks for sponsors at the orphanage’s online site, as does the pastor’s brother-in-law, then what is going on? These are just two examples. And while the pastor and (spoiled) American volunteers live with air-con, screens on the windows of their nice rooms, and eat meat everyday, the 130 Haitian orphans live without all of these. So then what is it all about? Is this a model to follow or to oppose?
I voluntarily came to GVCM towards the end of February 2017 and seeded a nice nursery of 3000 Hawaiian papayas in grow bags at their 40 acre farm. One papaya in the area costs over 125 Haitian gourdes, or about $2. And the kids at GVCM rarely eat any fruit. Soon I began some investigations into disparities and irregularities I was witnessing.
The end of my time at GVCM suddenly happened March 5th, 2017, ironically about one hour after the head pastor gave his sermon. A US woman volunteer said something to the head pastor about certain things I mentioned, though I know not what. And once before she lied to me, so who knows what she said?
Suddenly, much to my surprise, the head pastor approached me seething in anger. He told me to leave immediately. Going then to pack my things he followed me to my room. But within a few seconds he violently attacked from behind and pushed me very hard sending me stumbling forward. Then he threatened to call the police and have me thrown in jail. “For what,"I asked? On my way up the stairs to my room he grabbed me from behind again almost making us fall. Again he threatened to have me thrown in jail. He refused to let me get my things and told me to leave without them. Of course I refused. Finally he and the woman, who precipitated all this, got my stuff and took it down for me to pack. “This is how you treat someone, who has just spent some days seeding 3000 Hawaiian papayas,” I ask the head pastor? “I don’t care about those papayas,” he barked back. Then when leaving I was refused exit by the orphanage’s 24 hour guard armed with a stubby 19 guage shot gun. Only when the head pastor gave him permission to open the huge steel gate could I leave.
The Friday night before the head pastor slept in Port-au-Prince’s 5 star Marriott Hotel, which overlooks one of the world’s worst slums. When departing I wished him, ”Enjoy the view!” And the night before he and his brother and two other pastor-d-zastors paid another hotel $320. I refused and slept outside, which they didn’t like. But while they spent over $500 for two short nights, yet the orphans have no fans and screens on their windows to keep out the hoards of mosquitos. I guess the head pastor feels he is entitled and learned all this from his father, who also runs an orphanage in Haiti. But one can one expect from an orphanage named after Haiti’s horrendous Citadel, whose 19th century builder, Haiti’s king Henri Christophe, murdered thousands?
So now I know that the man Ron, whose post GVCM people try to disparage, is correct.
gvcmadmin 02/06/2019
At GVCM, we believe that serious allegations deserve a thoughtful response. This particular reviewer alleges that GVCM takes better care of its staff and guests than the children in its care, that our executive director/ head pastor lives large, and that we kicked out the reviewer for no stated reason. We will respond to each of these allegations in individual comments (due to word count restrictions). In general, the reviewer assumes that all people who serve the poor must live in poverty comparable to the people they serve. By extension, this would imply that everyone who serves the homeless in the U.S. should also give up their homes. We think this approach is a bad way to encourage people with talent and treasure to share their resources with the poor. Furthermore, our organization did ask the reviewer to leave, because of his malicious behavior, and because our responsibility to the people we serve is greater than the fear of offending someone who may leave an unpleasant review.
gvcmadmin 02/06/2019
First, our Haitian staff is paid the prevailing market wage for the services they perform. Just like anywhere else in the world, pay is commensurate with an employee’s level of responsibility and skills. We know that a job advertisement for an accountant that says the accountant would be “required to live in desperate poverty as a condition of employment” would not result in us getting a quality accountant who would faithfully manage the funds people entrust to us. We’re proud to provide our staff with quality jobs in a country that has chronic unemployment. As far as visitors, they all pay for the amenities they receive as well as simultaneously donating to help us provide for the people we serve. In the winter, many of our North American visitors are coming from places that are 50+ degrees colder than Haiti. If we didn’t provide air-conditioning, many would experience heat related illnesses and few would return to help us support our ministry.
gvcmadmin 02/06/2019
Second, our executive director’s annual income is about 20% less than the national average for non-profit executive directors – this is about the same as a McDonalds manager, except with fewer benefits. In exchange for this salary, he typically works about 60-80 hours a week and is separated from his wife and sons in the U.S. for most of the year. His wife also works a separate job full-time to help them provide for their family and future. How our director chooses to spend his money is up to him, but a large portion of it ends up finding its way back to Haiti to care for the people has dedicated his entire life to serving. This is a labor of love for our director, as anyone who has spent time with him can attest.
gvcmadmin 02/06/2019
Finally, we are not in the habit of kicking out guests for no reason. We did ask this reviewer to depart early, because he was taking young men from the community out drinking and using the opportunity to denigrate GVCM. He was spreading unfounded rumors to staff, visitors, and the community, that GVCM was engaged in criminal activity. His beliefs may have been sincere, and made sense in the context of his other conspiratorial beliefs about Christianity and the United States. Regardless of his motives, GVCM works very hard to build trust with the people we serve and we could not continue to host someone who was viciously spreading lies about our organization. Our director made the decision that the reviewer had to leave. That confrontation was conducted in a professional way which we submit that the reviewer has misrepresented in his own interest. We have three corroborating accounts for why we asked this reviewer to leave, which we would share with anyone who has serious concerns.
Pastor Yves is a blessing to the people and children of Haiti. You can support this ministry with confidence. He does so much with so little.
I have been leading mission teams to Haiti through GVCM.org for 13 years. This organization is doing amazing things including running an orphanage with 130+ children. GVCM has planted and partnered with Churches throughout Haiti that provide schooling to over 6,500 children. If you are looking to donate or go to Haiti, this organization is highly recommended!
Ron has no idea what he is talking about. I see how the money is used and it is used to feed the children, educate them, drilling water wells for a community to be self-sufficient, and helping the community around them by giving them food. I have been there a few times the past couple of years.
It was an awesome experience. The radio station Ron talks about is a volunteer ran and spreads the word of god to a community full of despair. Pastor Yves should be praised for his good work and should never be ridiculed by people like Ron that doesn't have any idea what he is talking about.
Ron doesn't know what he is talking about. I have been to Haiti and seen the work this group does, first hand. They build churches and schools, help people with work. They also are drilling water wells and doing a lot of other good work.
This 'Charity' does nothing more than take advantage of a desperate situation in order to create positions of power for people who do absolutely nothing to deserve it. These people receive donations meant to assist the people of Haiti and divert them into book stores, radio stations and housing that divide communities and spread sudo science. badly needed resources are squandered on indoctrinating desperate people.
gvcmadmin 02/04/2019
GVCM is a Haitian-led ministry that makes no apologies about the fact that we believe in the teachings of Christ. We empower Haitian pastors to teach Haitian congregations about the value of hard work, faith, and love. We also provide free or low cost medical treatment to no fewer than 20,000 patients and education to 6,000 children each year. We have a free library, but no book stores; we partner with a radio station, but spend less than 1% of our resources on it. Our highest paid staff member could have made the same annual income as a McDonald's manager and done so without having to live in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. I'm sorry that Ron seems to oppose all religious charities; Christian charities have done a lot of good in Haiti, and we are proud to be numbered among them.
Review from Guidestar