The Upward Bound Ministry and  it’s associated school, the Restore a Child Academy, are located just off Rd 305, the  major road connecting the capital Port au Prince and the Dominican Republic. Since March of 2025 there has been a surge in Gang related violence in regions outside of the capital including the Centre department in which Mirebalais, Lascahobas , and our school in Bois Pin east of Lascahobas, are located.  Recent United Nations report July 2025 describes the motives behind this extension : “ The gangs appear to be pursuing a strategic objective of establishing a presence in localities along key roadways crossing the Centre and Artibonte departments, particularly with the aim of controlling routes that connect to the northern regions and to the border with the Dominican Republic “ Rd 305 continues east from the Lascohabas past our project  to the Border town of Belladere.

Control of the roads facilitates illegal trafficking and provides mechanisms for revenue generating extortion at roadblocks.  Mirebalais eventually fell in June  2025 closing the valuable  University Hospital. Attacks against Lascohabas in early July 2025 were eventually  repelled by local self defence groups working with The Haitian national Police (HNP) and the Protected Areas Security Brigade (BSAP). 

The School Principal, Mdm Evelyn Domand, and other Ministry personnel initially left the school area  in early July to safety farther east but have since returned . Mdm Domond and staff were able to restart the school in October 2025 and classes are continuing with over 450 students . The people of Lascohabas and Bois Pin have continue to keep the area from gang influence.

 Message from Ronald Maglorie COO Upward Bound Ministries Haiti

“ I am grateful for your dedication and sacrifice to support the ministry in Bois Pins. I agree that this is a very dangerous situation and environment that in my lifetime Haiti had ever faced and unfortunately being fueled by both internal and external forces. More than ever due to those dire circumstances, the country and more specifically the Bois Pins community need our unwavering commitment to help whichever way we can.

We need to be optimistic and have faith in believing the Almighty God we serve would not allow our efforts and sacrifices so far to go to waste.

I encourage all of us to keep forging forward and continue in our planning. Whenever it’s so dark, joy of the morning is even at hand and will bring with it new opportunities.