Middle Ground Haiti

Middle Ground, formerly Espwa Berlancia, is a small but impactful organization. Since 2016
their programming has benefitted the lives of 716 children and their families. Rhyan Buettner,
the founder of Middle Ground has grown the organization from its original foundational
organization, Espwa Berlancia. Rhyan has accomplished much over the years, and I am
honored to call her a friend.

The sight of a child tortured by years of malnourishment is hard to describe. Witnessing the
frailty and weakness that takes over, not just consuming a child’s body, but capturing every
part of their happiness is something that never leaves your memory. The ability to find the
glimmer of hope and the spark of joy return to a child who once sat completely still, with no
energy to lift their head, and little movement in facial expression now running around a room
the way a child with a full and content belly can is nothing shy of miraculous.
Middle Ground could be Miracle Ground.

I have watched as the staff at Middle Ground has lovingly and with full dedication turned the
lives of many children from the brink of the tortures of malnourishment return to smiling,
playing children who return to their families and care providers, now more equipped and
prepared to maintain a healthier and vibrant child. The days I have spent at Middle Ground
affirm that the work done by all is done with thorough dedication and with love.

Middle Ground handles some of the most severe cases possible, and its programming is
intentionally designed for the mitigation of relapse. The following information provides a
sampling of each program they offer with additional links containing further program details if
you are interested in learning more about Middle Ground’s offerings and how you can support
the work they do to help families facing malnourishment in Haiti.

A child who qualifies for the severe Malnourishment Treatment Program is placed in an
inpatient unit where they are cared for by medical staff and are placed on a “Plumpy Nut
treatment program”, and those who will care for them after their treatment are educated on
how to sustain their health when they recover.

Read more about the Plumpy Nut Treatment Program here:

https://www.mfkhaiti.org/about  

The Infant Formula Program is available to children who aren’t able to receive the much-
needed nutrients for their growth. This program also provides the education their caretakers

need to ensure babies receive proper nutrition.

Middle Ground’s Physical Therapy Program is part of each child’s treatment during their stay.
These services assist with helping kids with delayed skills work on core motor skills, exercise,
and play. These activities are designed to be consistent and available techniques that they can
complete at home for continued success once they are discharged.

The Family Preservation Program is an aspect of Middle Ground’s programming that is
assessed individually as evaluating the circumstances that lead a child to their door is always
different. Support for care providers varies from counseling to school sponsorship as the needs
each family faces are different.

Graduation is the goal for a child in one of Middle Ground’s programs. Sustaining a child’s
health is vital, and preventing relapse is essential. For this reason, each participant has
scheduled follow-up appointments with Middle Ground staff for the year after discharge from
inpatient programming.

Read more about the Middle Ground Program here: https://middlegroundhaiti.org/2018/04/17/a-grandmothers-love/

  

Health Education is a big part of the Middle Ground program. All care providers are enrolled in
classes providing education on nutrition, hygiene, and other relevant topics that will aid in the
enrolled child’s success post-programming like sanitation. Birth control is introduced and
discussed as well. These classes are based on Facts for Life, a UNICEF and WHO publication,
which includes the use of visual aids.

Spiritual Support is a vital part of life and working in Haiti. When a child is in need of services
at Middle Ground, utilizing Spiritual Support in tandem with Mental Health Support through a
partnership with Espere Counseling Center provides care providers support during extremely
difficult trials in their lives.

Small Business classes are offered to the care providers of the children who have graduated
from the Middle Ground program. The Lorika Foundation developed the training and it has
been adapted to Haitian culture. Students of the business classes learn about profit and loss,
credit, money for living, avoiding failure, business community business plans, money
management and record keeping, loans, and sustaining life.

Upon completion of and successful passing of the Middle Ground business class, participants
are equipped to and encouraged to open a business suitable for their community.

More information about the Middle Ground Small Business Training Program can be found
here:

https://middlegroundhaiti.org/business-loans/  

You can read more about the Lorika Foundation here:

https://www.fao.org/sustainable-food-value-chains/training-and-learning-center/details- materials/en/c/276429/

The Dributts Product Program offers parents the opportunity to utilize scraps of Dributts
diaper materials to create hair ties and bracelets. These are sold at a thrift store by the name of
Re-Thread. Funds support parents, as well as a general fund that supports thinks social work
and advocacy for families. The partnership with Dributts has allowed Middle Ground to
facilitate diaper drops, and malnourishment screening clinics and offers parents profit through
direct sales.

Sustainability is a journey. Middle Ground and Harvest107 partner to combat food insecurity;
these two organizations help prepare families and caregivers. The Middle Ground business
instructor teaches a two-day business and money management class. Harvest107’s
agronomist meets with caregivers in their community to share insight and instruction on how to
grow and maintain a garden and provides the essentials for an organic garden, including tools,
organic soil, seeds, a bucket, and a natural fertilizer made by Harvest107. Staff from both
organizations maintain communication to support the sustainability plan for one year.
School Sponsorship is offered to the children who have gone through the Middle Ground
program. You can read more about this opportunity and the assistance these children receive
with their uniforms, books, and school supplies here:
https://middlegroundhaiti.org/2018/03/26/1501/

If you’d like to assist Middle Ground with their efforts, you can donate via their programming in
an amount you’re comfortable with here:
https://middlegroundhaiti.org/donate/

For more information on how YOU can help Middle Ground please see the following:
Donate directly to Middle Ground:
https://middlegroundhaiti.org/donate/

Are you interested in fundraising on behalf of Middle Ground? Consider joining an Advisory
Group! Email [email protected] for more information, and see the below link for ways
you might be able to serve Middle Ground as an Advisory Group member: https://middlegroundhaiti.org/fundraise/  

Amazon Wish Lists
Middle Ground’s Amazon wish list can be viewed here:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3CCHUSP3GYBI5?ref_=wl_share
Middle Ground’s Amazon Breast Feeding Support Program:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y1FQUG7NBP5T?ref_=wl_share
Middle Ground’s Amazon Physical Therapy Program Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YI5JDVE3XG6A?ref_=wl_share
Middle Ground’s Amazon Resource Cabinet Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2WWMHZK4Q4OMR?ref_=wl_share