The story: Wow! Where to begin? I guess I will paraphrase the story I tell groups that come to visit the orphanage. This story begins in the summer of 2010- long before Hearts United with Haiti was formed. My daughter, Emily, and I were in Haiti working with another organization by leading short term mission groups. During that first summer in Haiti Emily met and quickly bonded with two children at an orphanage in Carrefour- a little girl named Sarafina and a boy named James. Many of her teams visited this orphanage and she got to see the children often during that summer in Haiti, but when she was stateside again she longed to know how they were doing. At the same time, we had formed Hearts United with Haiti and during my many trips to Haiti in the fall of 2010 and/or spring of 2011, I promised to visit the orphanage and check on the children for her when in the country and able to do so. It was just a short walk from the home where we would stay when in Carrefour. Anyway, during that time we discovered that there were other groups involved in helping this orphanage- donating food, clothing, providing medical care, etc. yet the children were always dirty, sick and malnourished. Since we were friends with some of the translators that were used by many of these groups (the common denominator for all were the children, the orphanage, and the many of the same translators) we were able to connect with others around the country and hear their stories and suspicions about what was really going on at this orphanage when no teams were in town. As we all compared stories and information it became evident that this orphanage was, in fact, a front for child trafficking among other things. The children were being exploited and sold for profit, their belongings that were donated by us and others were sold as well and so was much of the food/water/medicine that was provided for their care. So, through a series of events, risk-taking, and working together with authorities a group of God-connected missionaries (each had their role- whether praying, passing along info, or physically participating in gathering evidence and/or setting up a sting operation that resulted in some of the staff being arrested) the orphanage was closed in the end of October 2011. This is where Emily and I actively stepped back into the picture.
As we knew more and more about the eminent closing of the orphanage in Carrefour, both Emily and I offered to come help the children transition to whatever new place they were taken. We knew the children and had relationship with them which would help ease their young, vulnerable, scared minds and make the transition a little less traumatic. Only by God's guidance was our offer accepted and with a day's notice we flew off to Haiti to be with the children. At the time we thought we would be with ALL of the children, however, that was not the case. Instead of the children being moved to a safe house that had already been arranged in advance of the orphanage closing, they were split up by Haitian Social Services: boys to a facility in Carrefour and girls to Life is Wealth Orphanage in Port au Prince. Though both directors were warned by Haitian authorities to be wary of "the foreigners", Pastor Yves (the director of Life is Wealth) readily opened his home to Emily and me and let us stay for about 2 weeks (at first) with the girls. Our days were filled with administering medical care (almost all the children had scabies, respiratory infections, and were extremely malnourished), and comforting the girls who were, understandably, distressed by this move and the closing of the orphanage they considered home prior to Life is Wealth. Add to that the fact that Life is Wealth already had 37 girls and 3 boys when these new girls (37 total) arrived. This literally doubled the size of Life is Wealth- with no assistance from the Haitian authorities to feed, clothe, provide medicine for, or otherwise help cover expenses for these children.
Those first days turned into weeks and then months spent with the children. I would often stay in the guest quarters of the orphanage and since not all my time was spent with the girls, I spent countless hours getting to know Pastor Yves and his wife, Anne-Rose. They are wonderful people with a great heart for children and, though the orphanage is run as a Haitian orphanage, they truly care for the children and treat them well. Life is Wealth was running well prior to the introduction of these 37 new girls, but with this transition came lots of struggle. First, we were blessed to have assistance during transition from some wonderful churches- especially one in Colorado that really came alongside Pastor Yves and his family financially. They were able to purchase duffle bags/clothes for each new child, provide a freezer for Pastor Yves to keep the extra food, and provide for most of the initial medical care (and there was a LOT). We also got a lot of assistance from an organization in Haiti who provided protein powder, vitamins, clothing, etc.. They were also the ones who assisted Emily and me physically with transportation, lodging (when not at the orphanage), in-country contacts for items needed and translation assistance (though I learned a LOT of my Creole there from the children). Besides the physical needs of the children, there were emotional ones. We spent MANY hours letting them cry or dealing with angry outbursts because they didn't know another way to show their frustration. Altercations were common between the original Life is Wealth girls and these new ones who were brought in (and getting so much attention from us). We really got to know all the girls well during our initial days/weeks living there and believe that this really aids us now because they trust us and know we are committed to helping- not with THINGS, but with the LOVE of Christ. (note: In the first two months we were able to go home for about 2 weeks when another acquaintance of mine covered their care and came to stay, then I returned alone- Emily had other commitments in the USA)
We have been involved with Life is Wealth Orphanage since November 2011 and pray that God will allow us to stay for many years to come. What a blessing it is to watch these women of His grow and understand that they are loved and special.
The vision: God has given us a vision for these girls/young women. He has showed us over and over how precious they are to Him and has challenged us to show and teach THEM that fact. We have set up a sponsorship program (more info. in another post coming) where the main purpose is not to provide financially (though there is a financial commitment) but to provide friendship, encouragement and support for each girl. We have done countless Bible lessons with them and have formed a group of leadership girls whom we instruct/mentor so they can instruct/mentor the others. Together with Pastor Yves and his staff we have helped with food, clothing, education, and clean water for the children. We have also held parties, taken the children on outings, taught classes/skills, etc. with the children at Life is Wealth. We recently started a Nanny program after realizing that the children need more constant care-givers than just Pastor Yves and his wife. The Nannies were trained first by a social worker living in Haiti- about the needs children who have experienced abuse have and how to minister to these needs. Though the program is only in it's infancy, we have already seen AMAZING results (more about the Nanny program in another post soon coming too). It is good to know there are women who are there regularly building relationships with the children. Our vision with this program is to pour into the Nannies more and the children less (directly) since the Nannies are the constant in the lives of the children. Therefore, we have been meeting with the Nannies, hearing their concerns/thoughts/ideas about the children and then trying to support those in a manner we all agree upon. To be honest, He has shown more and more the harm that bringing groups over and over to the orphanage can cause. Many of these children have been abandoned there by their families that love them but can not provide, so to bring others only to build/break relationships over and over may cause harm emotionally. We believe that it may just be better to visit a few times per year (or not really bring groups at all) and in the meantime really invest in the Nannies so THEY can invest in the children. This is tougher for us, but the best needs (emotionally) of the children are what needs to be most important- not our selfish desires. We ask you to pray for guidance for this since we are still not sure what is best overall for the children. One thing we are certain of though: God has so much more for these children than to just live at Life is Wealth. He wants them to have abundant life- not an abundance of things, but an abundance of HIM! (His love, His forgiveness, His healing)
The needs: As always- we need your prayers. Pray that we would continue to follow His lead. This is an area where emotion can take over. We need to stay rooted in His truths and desires for the children- not our own emotional ones. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the stories of abuse from the children or with the many needs WE see at the orphanage (bathrooms, cleaner facilities, more play areas/toys, etc) but honestly, though it is hard to understand and embrace sometimes, THINGS are not going to change Life is Wealth. In fact, as we often see in Haiti, THINGS can make it worse. The more they have and the nicer the place is, the more people could want to send their children- thus creating yet more economic orphans. We must, instead, spend our time on what really matters to these children- their emotional/spiritual needs. So, we ask for your prayers as we constantly battle between what the children NEED and what we THINK they need.
That being said, there are physical and financial needs at Life is Wealth. To care for about 70 children requires a lot of funding. Food is bought regularly and taken to the orphanage (and they are getting food from organizations we have gotten them contracts with) but each load costs about $250 US. This gets about 2 bags of rice, spaghetti, oil, flour, milk, sugar, beans, etc. (see photo below for a sample). Twice a month fruit/milk is provided by donations from individuals/groups. This costs $75 US per delivery and includes a fresh piece of fruit from the market and a large glass of milk. (the children LOVE this day and look forward to it). We pay the salaries of the Nannies (about $770 per month) and have paid for training for them too. We also give personal products (especially feminine hygiene products) as they are donated to us along with sheets, towels, clothing, school supplies, etc.... We try to buy as much as possible locally. First of all, it keeps us from having to ship it to Haiti and secondly, it provides income to those who sell it- thus helping two people (the one selling and the one receiving) so funds are always welcome.
Note: If you have been moved by this story and feel God asking you to donate toward any of the needs at Life is Wealth, please feel free to do so via our website (www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org) or send checks to Hearts United with Haiti PO Box 55 Morgantown, PA 19543. Mark the donation for Life is Wealth and we will use it accordingly (if you would like it for something specific, mark that as well- ie: Fruit/Milk, or Nanny Salary). Thank you in advance for your generosity to help these children.
PS-- Update on Sarafina and James: Sarafina is at Life is Wealth, doing well and growing. She was able to reconnect with Emily just this past December after three years apart. James is back with family members in Haiti and awaiting adoption by some great people from California who also met him that summer of 2010 and fell in love with him and another child at that original orphanage. I got to see him in November and he looks great! They hope to bring their children home soon.
Here are some random photos of Life is Wealth....
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| The gate to enter the orphanage dorms. |
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| Me with some of the girls... they LOVE to see photos of my family (or the girls from Mirebalais who used to live with them) |
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| Some of the girls from Life is Wealth |
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| The roof is always a great spot to go and take photos- the view is amazing! |
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| One of the many meals we have provided over the years- always such fun! |
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| Berlando enjoying his fruit - this month: Mango (he got milk too) |
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| Here is a photo to show the amount of food $250 US will buy- not much for that many children! Not all food is pictured but a lot of the expense is in those striped bags behind the girls- they contain beans which are more expensive. (Also shows some of the girls in uniform. School/education is provided to all sponsored children) |
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| Another delivery (not all food was shown in the photo with the children above).... this order cost about $220 US |
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| Some of them LOVE to write to their sponsors (or draw photos) |
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