Haitians Helping Haitians for Christ (HHH) will host its fifth annual fundraising chicken barbecue on Saturday, May 13. The event will be held at Lampeter Church of the Brethren, 1900 Lampeter Road, Lancaster, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meal tickets are available to prepurchase online at https://tinyurl.com/HHHbbq, and meals purchased in advance must be picked up by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

Included with the purchase of a meal will be a quarter-chicken, a roll with butter, applesauce, chips, a whoopie pie and a drink. Quarter-chickens will also be available to purchase individually at a discounted price.

All proceeds from the event will benefit HHH and its projects aimed at helping those in need in Haitian communities. The nonprofit organization seeks to meet the physical, developmental and spiritual needs of those in Haiti, which it accomplishes in a variety of ways, such as providing meals for children on a weekly basis. Although the violence and dangerous conditions in Haiti have limited the number of physical service trips HHH can take to the country, the organization continues to donate food and supplies to orphanages and community development projects. "It's a time of great need in Haiti. We want to be able to continue meeting the needs of the people in these communities," said Betty Estime, co-founder of HHH. "Our hope is to provide opportunities for Haitians by creating long-term sustainability."

Two years ago, HHH began construction on a community center in Haiti to offer locals classes on trades, leadership seminars and children's programs. Once a year, the community center offers a camp for local children. Currently, HHH is working on the addition of a second floor to the community center, which it hopes to use to add dormitories and additional classrooms. With the additions of the second floor, the community center will be able to host weeklong events that will be open to those outside of the immediate area. HHH's goal for expanding the building is to have those from other communities acquire new skills and leadership abilities while visiting and benefit their own areas upon their return.

Betty founded HHH in 2018 with her husband, Elage Estime. Betty and Elage met in 2010 during a mission trip in Haiti. Betty, who is a nurse at Lancaster General Hospital, was visiting to assist with the medical needs of locals after an earthquake devastated the country. Elage, who grew up in Haiti, was working as a coordinator for Mission Possible, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering leadership skills in poverty-stricken communities abroad. After marrying in 2012, Betty and Elage lived in Haiti for two and a half years to continue their shared mission of helping those in the community. After moving to the United States, they continued to make trips to Haiti until the conditions became too dangerous.

Elage overcame many hardships as he grew up in Haiti; his father died when Elage was 14, and his mother had seven other children. When missionaries visited his community, they gave Elage a job cleaning a local church. He used the money that he earned to help other children in his community. "I feel so grateful because God gave me the ability to give back what I've received," Elage said. "Betty and I don't have any children of our own, but we care for many children through the mission."

For more information about the fundraiser, call 717-538-5030.