Why Haiti?

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Republic of Haiti République d'Haïti (French)Repiblik Ayiti (Haitian Creole)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "L'Union Fait La Force"  (French)"Unity Creates Strength"
Anthem: La Dessalinienne
Capital (and largest city)		Port-au-Prince 18°32′N 72°20′W / 18.533°N 72.333°W / 18.533; -72.333
Official language(s)		French, Haitian Creole[1]
Ethnic groups		90% black, 10% mulatto and white[2]
Demonym		Haitian
Government		Semi-presidential republic
-	President	René Préval
-	Prime Minister	Jean-Max Bellerive
Formation
-	French colony declared (Treaty of Ryswick)	30 October 1697
-	Independence declared	1 January 1804
-	Independence recognized from France	17 April 1825
Area
-	Total	27,750 km2 (140th) 10,714 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.7
Population
-	2009 estimate	10,188,000[2] (82nd)
-	Density	325.59/km2 (31st) 843.31/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2009 estimate
-	Total	$11.976 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$1,338[3]
GDP (nominal)		2009 estimate
-	Total	$6.558 billion[3]
-	Per capita	$733[3]
Gini (2001)		59.2 (high)
HDI (2010)		0.404[4] (low) (145th)
Currency		Gourde (HTG)
Time zone		(UTC-5)
Drives on the		right
ISO 3166 code		HT
Internet TLD		.ht
Calling code		509

Haiti (pronounced /ˈheɪti/ ( listen); French Haïti, pronounced: [a.iti]; Haitian Creole: Ayiti, Haitian Creole pronunciation: [ajiti]), officially the Republic of Haiti (République d'Haïti ; Repiblik Ayiti) is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti (land of high mountains) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the mountainous western side of the island. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince. French and Haitian Creole are the official languages.
Haiti's regional, historical, and ethnolinguistic position is unique for several reasons. It was the first independent nation in Latin America and the first black-led republic in the world when it gained independence as part of a successful slave rebellion in 1804.^[5] Despite having common cultural links with its Hispano-Caribbean neighbors, Haiti is the only predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas. It is one of only two independent nations in the Americas (along with Canada) that designate French as an official language; the other French-speaking areas are all overseas départements, or collectivités, of France.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas as per the Human Development Index. It has experienced political violence throughout its history. Most recently, in February 2004, an armed rebellion forced the resignation and exile of previous President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and a provisional government took control with security provided by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Rene Preval, the current president, was elected in the Haitian general election, 2006.
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and devastated the capital city, Port-au-Prince. Although the exact number was difficult to determine, an estimated 316,000 people were killed.^[6] The Presidential palace, Parliament and many other important structures were destroyed, along with countless homes and businesses, leaving many homeless.



Please read  here about how we became connected with an orphanage in Haiti through our home study agency. God has broken our hearts for the people of Haiti and shown us how beautiful and resilient they are.

And now-our two little girls are there!