What animals live in Haiti?

Haiti is home to some creatures you might not expect on a Caribbean island! The Hispaniolan solenodon is one of the rarest mammals on earth — a small, shrew-like animal with a long snout that can inject venom through its teeth. Haiti also has colorful tree frogs, American flamingos wading in coastal wetlands, and the rhinoceros iguana, a hefty lizard that can grow longer than your arm. The waters around Haiti are full of life too — sea turtles glide through the warm Caribbean Sea, and the coral reefs shelter hundreds of kinds of fish. Up in the mountains, you might spot the Hispaniolan trogon, a striking bird with a red belly and green back that is found nowhere else on earth. God packed a lot of variety into this small island!

What do kids eat in Haiti?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Haiti often eat rice and beans — it is the most common meal in the whole country, kind of like how some kids eat sandwiches almost every day. A popular dish is called 'riz et pois,' which just means rice and beans cooked together, sometimes with a little meat or a spicy sauce called 'sauce piquante' on top. Rusty wants you to know about some other favorites too! Many Haitian kids enjoy fried plantains — those are like bananas but starchier, and they get crispy and a little sweet when fried. A corn porridge called 'labouyi' is a common breakfast, and fresh mangoes are a beloved treat since mango trees grow right there on the island. Sadly, many families in Haiti do not always have enough food, which is one reason missionaries and local churches work hard to share both physical help and the good news of Jesus with Haitian families.

How do people say hello in Haiti?

In Haiti, most people speak a language called Haitian Creole, and the word for hello is 'Bonjou' — you say it like 'bon-ZHOO.' If it's afternoon, they switch to 'Bonswa,' which sounds like 'bon-SWAH.' Greetings matter a lot in Haiti, and people often take time to ask how your whole family is doing, not just how you are. Haiti also has a second official language, French, so you might hear 'Bonjour' there too — Haitian Creole actually grew partly from French mixed with African languages brought over long ago. When Haitian Christians greet each other, faith often shows up right in the conversation — phrases like 'Bondye beni ou,' which means 'God bless you,' are genuinely common, not just polite words. It is a real glimpse into how many Haitians weave their trust in God into everyday life.

What sports or games do kids play in Haiti?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Haiti love football — what you probably call soccer. It is by far the most popular sport, and you will find kids playing it in open fields, on dusty roads, and even on beaches with makeshift goalposts. The Haitian national team is a big deal, and kids grow up dreaming of playing for them. Rusty wants to add that kids in Haiti also enjoy basketball, which has grown a lot in popularity over the years. In neighborhoods and schoolyards, you might also spot kids playing marbles, flying homemade kites, or a street game called 'bòl' where players toss and catch. Many of these games cost nothing to play, which matters because Haiti is one of the poorer countries in the Western Hemisphere — but that does not stop kids from having fun and laughing together.

What's the weather like in Haiti?

Haiti is a tropical country, so it stays warm all year long — usually between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two rainy seasons, one in spring and one in fall, when heavy downpours roll in almost every afternoon. Haiti also sits in a part of the world where hurricanes can form, especially from June through November. Those storms can be very powerful and bring a lot of hardship to families there. Even through difficult times, many Haitian Christians hold tightly to their faith in Jesus, which is something worth knowing as you explore this island nation.

Tell me a fun fact about Haiti.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Haiti sits on the western third of an island called Hispaniola — it shares that island with the Dominican Republic, like two neighbors on the same big yard. Haiti was actually the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to become fully independent, way back in 1804. Rusty wants you to know about the food, because it tells you so much about a place! Haitian cooks make a dish called griot — chunks of pork that are marinated, boiled, and then fried until crispy — and it is considered a national treasure at celebrations and family gatherings. Haiti also grows some of the finest mangoes you will ever find, with over a hundred different varieties growing across the country's mountains and valleys.

What is school like for kids in Haiti?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! School in Haiti is something many kids really want but don't always get to have. Most schools in Haiti cost money to attend, so families who are very poor sometimes can't send their children — which means some kids your age spend their days working instead of learning to read. Rusty wants to add that many Haitian schools are run by churches, which means Christian teachers are right there sharing both knowledge and the gospel with students. Classes can be crowded, books are often scarce, and some school buildings are just simple concrete rooms with few supplies. But Haitian kids are determined learners, and missionaries and local believers work hard to make sure more children can hear about Jesus and get an education at the same time.

Who are the unreached people in Haiti?

Haiti is a country where most people have heard the name of Jesus, but a large number practice Vodou — a religion that mixes some Christian words with the worship of spirits. These are not the same as worshiping the God of the Bible. People caught up in Vodou are spiritually unreached, meaning they have not truly heard and believed the good news that Jesus alone can save them from sin and death. There are also smaller groups, like Haitian immigrants in remote areas and people in isolated mountain villages, who have very little contact with faithful churches that teach the Bible clearly. Missionaries and Haitian Christian leaders are working hard to bring the real gospel to these communities. The greatest need in Haiti is not just food or schools — it is for people to hear that Jesus is the true and living God who rescues those who trust in Him.

How can I pray for the people of Haiti?

Haiti is a place where many people have heard the name of Jesus, but life is very hard there right now. You can pray that Haitian families — especially children — would truly come to know Jesus as their Savior and find real hope in Him, not just in religion or tradition. You can also pray for the brave Haitian pastors and church leaders who keep teaching the Bible even when there is danger around them. Pray that they stay strong and faithful, that more missionaries can find open doors to share the gospel, and that every person in Haiti who is suffering would hear the good news that Jesus is alive and loves them deeply.

What is a holiday or celebration in Haiti?

One of the biggest celebrations in Haiti is Kanaval — that's the Haitian word for Carnival. It happens every year before the Christian season of Lent, and the streets fill with colorful costumes, music, and dancing. Bands called 'rara' groups play loud brass instruments and drums while people parade through the towns. Haiti also celebrates Christmas, and many Haitian Christians gather with family, sing hymns, and go to church to remember the birth of Jesus. Even in a country that faces a lot of hardship, believers find real joy in those celebrations because their hope is in Christ. It is a good reminder that the gospel has taken root in Haiti, and there are faithful Haitian Christians who love and worship Jesus.

What language do people speak in Haiti?

Most people in Haiti speak Haitian Creole, which is a language that grew out of French mixed with West African languages. It has its own spelling, grammar, and words that make it different from regular French. Almost every Haitian speaks it, and it feels very much like home to the people there. French is also an official language in Haiti, and you will see it used in schools and government. But Haitian Creole is the language of everyday life — the market, the home, the street. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Haitian Creole, so people can read God's Word in the language that speaks deepest to their hearts.

What's a famous place to visit in Haiti?

One of the most striking places in Haiti is the Citadelle Laferrière — a massive stone fortress built on top of a mountain in northern Haiti. It took thousands of workers to build it in the early 1800s, and it still stands today like a giant crown over the rainforest below. To reach the Citadelle, visitors often ride horses up the steep mountain trail — quite an adventure! Nearby is the Sans-Souci Palace, once a grand royal palace that now stands in ruins after earthquakes damaged it long ago. Haiti has a bold history, and these old stones tell stories of the people who have lived there for centuries — people God loves and sent Jesus for.

Haiti — Kids Missions Explorer

Hispaniolan Trogon

Haiti's national bird, it wears feathers of red, green, and blue and lives only on the island of Hispaniola, making it found nowhere else on Earth.

American Flamingo

Flocks of these tall pink birds wade through the shallow saltwater lakes of southern Haiti, using their bent beaks to filter tiny shrimp from the water.

Rhinoceros Iguana

This large, armor-plated lizard gets its name from the small horn-like bumps on its snout and can live for more than 60 years on rocky hillsides and dry forests.

Griot

Chunks of pork are marinated in sour orange juice and spices, then fried until crispy on the outside and tender inside — it is one of the most beloved dishes at Haitian celebrations.

Soup Joumou

This rich, golden squash soup with beef and vegetables has been eaten every New Year's Day since Haiti gained independence in 1804, making it a meal full of history and pride.

Akra

Made from grated malanga root mixed with spices and fried into small golden fritters, akra are a popular street snack with a slightly crispy edge and soft center.

Haiti

Things you should know about Haiti

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

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Life in Haiti

Missions in Haiti

Pray for Haiti