About C.O.C.I.N.A. (also known as COCINA)

Coalition of Children in Need Association is a U.S.-based 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that was formed in 1990. It was established primarily to provide financial and management support and mission teams to help a new Christian-based private school (Institution Univers) in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. Since its formation, COCINA has expanded its involvement in Ouanaminthe to include construction of needed school facilities, adult vocational education in the school and construction and startup of a 3-story medical clinic that was completed in 2006.
See map of Haiti to locate Ouaniminthe in the northeast, right on the border with Dominican Republic.

The Mission of COCINA

“Operating from the Christian perspective of hope and love, COCINA partners with Institution Univers Chrétien d’Haiti in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, to provide academic and vocational education for children and adults. COCINA also helps local organizations jump-start essential community services.”

COCINA’s Foundational Bible Verse

The foundational scripture for COCINA and the ministries it supports in Ouanaminthe, Haiti is Jeremiah 29:11:  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (NIV)

Organizations and Programs Supported by COCINA in Ouanaminthe, Haiti

The non-profit organization in Ouanaminthe that manages and conducts all the programs/ministries supported by COCINA is called Institution Univers Chrétien d’Haiti. This local Haitian non-profit has a Board consisting of the three local founders of the school when it was just a pre-school and kindergarten in a small building. Local founding Board member Hugues Bastien serves as the Director of all the programs/ministries support by COCINA.

Within Institution Univers Chrétien d’Haiti, there are currently 4 programs/ministries, which are:

• Univers des Petits (preschool and kindergarten)
• Collège Univers (grades 1 through 13 academic education)
• Univers Technique et Commercial (vocational education for adults)
• Univers Centre Médical (medical clinic)

Healthcare and Education Crisis in Haiti

Though education is highly valued by Haitians, only about 50% of the primary-school age children actually attend public or private schools, and even less (only 15%) attend secondary school. Only about half of the adult population is literate.

The “clinic” was built in response to the very inadequate medical, dental and eye-care services available in Ouanaminthe.