Our History
The Journey of the Bethleem Movement
Our Story & Founders The Journey of the Bethleem Movement
The Bethleem movement began with a commitment to serve God by meeting practical needs, supporting vulnerable families, and creating opportunities for children and communities across Haiti. Founded by Olnick Duverne on November 9, 2009, Bethleem grew through local entrepreneurship, Christian ministry, education, humanitarian assistance, and community development. Alongside his wife, Rose-Mada Pierre-Louis Duverne, Olnick helped develop a ministry dedicated to serving children, strengthening families, equipping church leaders, and bringing hope to communities.
2009 — A Vision Takes Root
Bethleem began on November 9, 2009, with the establishment of Bethleem Boulangerie du Bon Pain. At that time, Bethleem did not yet have its own school. Instead, the mission helped children attend other schools while working to build a sustainable foundation for its educational and humanitarian efforts.From the beginning, Bethleem sought to respond to practical needs, including children's education and access to food. Feeding children became an important part of the mission and continues to reflect its commitment to their well-being.
Planting Hope For a Better Tomorrow
2012 — Bethleem Multiservice Sustains the Mission
In 2012, as Olnick entered university and could no longer devote sufficient time to managing the bakery, he established Bethleem Multiservice. This business became another important source of income for supporting the mission and helping children access education.Bethleem's approach was rooted in a simple principle: local work and enterprise could help sustain a lasting commitment to children and families.
2013 — Empowering Families and Strengthening Local Churches
Bethleem's work extended beyond education and food assistance. In 2013, a local poultry-raising initiative began at Église Baptiste Emmanuel de Pangym, Bombardopolis, with the aim of helping some families respond to their practical needs through small-scale agricultural activity.In the Nord-Ouest department, particularly in Bombardopolis, Bethleem also supported Christian ministry through spiritual retreats, evangelistic crusades, leadership training, and initiatives to strengthen local churches.Through these efforts, the movement sought to encourage spiritual growth while helping families and communities develop greater resilience.
Our Journey and Resilience
2018 — Bethleem Construction Expands Our Capacity
In March 2018, Olnick married Rose-Mada Pierre-Louis Duverne. That same year marked a new chapter in Bethleem's development with the establishment of Bethleem Construction.The business became the principal source of income supporting the foundation's educational work, including teachers' salaries, books, and school materials. Its resources helped Bethleem continue serving children while expanding its capacity to respond to humanitarian and community needs.
2020 — Serving Communities During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 crisis, Bethleem used resources generated through its business activities to assist many Haitians facing hardship. Food assistance and other forms of practical support reflected the mission's commitment to serving people beyond the classroom and responding to urgent community needs.Bethleem's humanitarian outreach has included Cabaret and other areas of Haiti, including communities in the Nord-Ouest department.
April 2021 — A New Chapter in Church Ministry
In April 2021, Bethleem founded Église Évangélique Bethleem de Trou-Gillot, Cabaret, beginning with just seven children.From that small beginning, the church grew into a community with more than one hundred active members, reflecting the development of a ministry rooted in faith, service, and community relationships.Bethleem's wider Christian outreach has also included mission work in several departments of Haiti, with efforts to encourage believers, equip young preachers, train leaders, and strengthen local congregations.
Together, we are sowing seeds of hope for a brighter tomorrow. Every action counts.
October 4, 2021 — Opening Our Own School
On October 4, 2021, Bethleem opened its own school. After years of helping children attend other schools, the movement reached an important milestone by establishing an educational institution of its own.The school brought together Bethleem's long-standing commitment to education, Christian values, children's well-being, and the development of responsible citizens.
A Mission Tested by Insecurity
Bethleem's journey has also involved painful challenges. The businesses that sustained its work were built through years of local effort and personal sacrifice. As insecurity intensified in Haiti, Olnick and his family faced repeated kidnapping attempts, and Bethleem Construction was attacked and destroyed.Olnick believes that some of those who targeted the family misunderstood the source of Bethleem's resources, assuming that the organization had substantial foreign, international, or government funding. In reality, the family's businesses had played a central role in financing the mission.The destruction of Bethleem Construction therefore threatened more than a business. It affected an important source of support for teachers, educational materials, and the children and families served by Bethleem.
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
⁷ "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (KJV)
Nourishing the future
Continuing the Mission
Through education, food assistance, family support, community initiatives, and Christian ministry, Bethleem continues to pursue the vision that inspired its beginnings: serving God, nurturing children, strengthening families, supporting local churches, and helping build a safer and more hopeful future for Haiti.