Twenty years. That’s how long it’s been since I visited Haiti for the first time with Practical Compassion’s founders, George Zimmerman, then pastor of Calvary Church, and his wife Suzie.
Their vision and unwavering commitment to help empower the people of Haiti is why Practical Compassion still exists after two decades. It is why much of the work we’ve done in Haiti still stands, and many of the people we’ve invested in are thriving.
Twenty years ago, Calvary Church had a mission program led by a man named Earl Hess. Earl had visited Haiti over the years to check on the two missionaries that the church supported. One day, George decided it was time that he went back himself and asked during a church service if others wanted to join him.
I jumped at the chance.
George, a young lady, myself, and another current board member, Dr. Rob Haggard all left for Haiti on a mission to meet Calvary’s Haitian missionaries and learn more about their needs.
It was a life-changing trip not only for each of us, but also for many of the souls in Haiti. You see, it was from this trip that George Zimmerman came back recharged, focused, and on a mission to bring relief to the Haitian people he met during this trip.
George realized that the needs in Haiti were greater than the church he pastored was going to be able to meet. While the support for the two missionaries would continue, George knew he had to take greater action to rally more people to help. And action he took! He soon went on a campaign to let everyone he knew about the extreme need in Haiti and began raising funds to help.
It was because of this trip that George and Suzie founded Practical Compassion.
One of their first priorities was to help an orphanage get food for their children on a regular basis and provide them with better shelter to protect the children from the elements. We continue to provide support and food to this orphanage and the children it serves, today.
George and Suzie made many trips to Haiti over the years oftentimes bringing a team of volunteers with them, and sometimes traveling by themselves. They were always on the ready to respond to needs they encountered. Their focus, which set the foundational mission of Practical Compassion, was to provide food, shelter, education and medical assistance to the people of Haiti—particularly the children.
Over these last 20 years, countless lives have been touched and futures changed because of the vision George and Suzie Zimmerman established through founding our mission.
We continue to steadfastly serve because of their vision and commitment to care for their Haitian brothers and sisters.
Over these many years we have accomplished so much, thanks to the generous support of our loyal donors. Wells have been dug, businesses started, a school has been built, teachers have been paid, children have been fed, educated and graduated.
The fruits of your steadfast support are being realized. We have students graduated and in college becoming doctors, nurses, dentists, accountants and engineers.
Those who we have served are now serving others and reaching into their own communities to continue the legacy that Practical Compassion has established. We are so excited and proud to see our Haitian partners start a school, run regular medical clinics and take responsibility to walk with us to build up their communities and contribute to their own future.
Many things have changed over the last 20 years, but the passion instilled in us to continue to serve alongside the people of Haiti, to persevere, and to focus on our mission of changing lives-one child at a time, remains.
We are honored to carry on the vision of our founders, George and Suzie, and with your continued financial support and your willingness to share our mission, many more children’s lives will be forever changed for the better.
Fred Windholz, President