BRADENTON, Fla. -- Multiple youth groups from the U.S. were stranded in Haiti, including a group from Bradenton, because of violent protests in the wake of steep fuel price hikes ordered by Haiti's government.

  • Bradenton youth group was stuck in Haiti return home
  • Violent protests going on in Haiti
  • Group scheduled to return Monday night

The group from Woodland Community Church made it safely to the airport in Haiti's capital of Port-Au-Price on Monday morning. They boarded a flight to Miami, where they will be split up and put on two different flights back to central Florida.

They were expected back at the church parking lot late Monday night. 

Three airlines -- American, Jetblue, and Spirit -- canceled flights to Haiti this week because of the protests, leaving the group stranded.  

The Bradenton team was part of a mission group with the non-profit MyLIFEspeaks. They were scheduled to leave on Saturday morning, but had to turn around and return to their compound in Nepoly after encountering riots in the streets by the capital.

 

 

They've been working with children and enjoying their time in Nepoly for the past two days while group organizers tried to book new flights home.

Organizers say the trip to the airport Monday morning was uneventful, and the group made it safely to their flight.

"I'm just glad that it's about to be done and over," said Lynn McFarlin, who has two daughters on the trip.  

Many parents say they're just relieved that their children will be home tonight, and thanked the trip's organizers for keeping everyone safe.