Christmas in Haiti
// Rachel DeTellis
To understand how Christmas is celebrated in a country like Haiti compared to the average American celebration, you must scale back expectations around gift-giving, decorations, and events.
Even so, Christmas remains an important and joyful time for many Haitians. Families observe the season through additional church services, programs, and special meals. Christmas lights and trees are uncommon in rural Haiti–largely due to limited resources and the lack of consistent electricity. But, the meaning of the season is still valued.
Parents and students enjoyed the performances at our Darbonne school Christmas program.
This year, many of our schools planned Christmas programs for their students, creating meaningful opportunities for joy and fellowship. Imelda Dantes, director of our Darbonne school, held her program on December 12, 2025. Everyone came dressed up, and the children proudly performed songs and dances they had practiced for several weeks. Along with the festivities, the Christmas story was shared and a meal was provided for all who attended. Thank you to our sponsors who make these experiences possible by helping students experience God’s grace and love through school Christmas programs. ~Rachel DeTellis