Focus on giving: COCINA

Giving is an important part of what we choose to do with our money.  As Christians, we believe in giving 10 percent of our income to our local church.  But on top of that, we’ve found it rewarding and fulfilling to give in other ways: volunteering your time, donating items to charity and giving money to those in need.

COCINA is an organization that we are passionate about supporting.  It all started about 10 years ago when I went on a mission trip to Ouaniminthe, Haiti, a town just over the Dominican Repulic border.  As we walked across the wood bridge that brought us into Haiti, I was astonished at the smells, the sights and the sadness in this poor country.  But the town of Ouaniminthe has a bright spot in it and that bright spot is Institution Univers, a private Christian-based school.  In a country where education is limited and under-resourced, this school is teaching kids not only basic skills, but the skills necessary to turn a impoverished town into a self-sufficient community.

In the last decade since my first visit, the school has grown considerably, graduating its first class of 15 students, 6 of which earned scholarships to go on to college. In addition, a medical building has been constructed and is fully-functioning.  In a quiet town without much activity, COCINA is busy waking up the futures of generations to come.  And we get to be a part of it.

Not to mention that donating couldn’t be easier.  We send a monthly amount through PayPal which will track our charitable giving for tax purposes.  Check out their website www.haiticocina.org or find your own organization to give to.  Knowing that your money fed the hungry, healed the sick and sent kids to college is worth more than anything money can buy.
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We want to hear your giving stories! If you’ve got one you’d like to share, email it to us, and we’ll be sure to feature it as a future guest post.