Provide a safe home for Haitian Orphans

We’re always grateful for your incredible support, and this has been doubly true through what’s been a difficult couple of months in Haiti.

In early February demonstrations erupted across the country as people protested against rising inflation and alleged corruption and mismanagement of overseas funding by the government.

The protests sometimes turned violent and inflation has driven up the costs of essential items, including food.

This has placed pressure on the HTDC orphanage and that means your ongoing generosity has been particularly important of late.

Although demonstrations have swirled around them the kids still need to be housed, fed and educated, and the work involved in keeping the orphanage running hasn’t stopped either.

Carlo, the orphanage director, explained:

“The child welfare agency, IBESR, have requested all orphanages to update the way they do things to meet new standards according to the law. We have to make sure we do a great job so that they renew our paperwork.

So, we buy some new beds and mattresses, and repaint the house again and make some more changes, like building some new tables for them to eat at.

We change the kids diet and verify how we feed the kids, so I have to hire a nutritionist and spend some more money on food.

So, we are very happy the IDV donor are still helping us! Thank you.”

Happily, it’s not all been work and stress though. Before the protests began Carlo organised a fun day trip. He also explained as follows:

“We took the kids to the Olympic Park in Haiti. The kids enjoyed it and they all want to go back. I think they would even prefer to stay there!

We bought snacks for them, but they were not interested because they wanted to play as much as they can when they have [the] chance because they don’t have a place like that to play at home.”

Carlo sent some photos from the day and we can see exactly what he means - the kids all had loads of fun at the park.

He was planning to take them back again but the protests meant this hasn't been possible yet.The situation has thankfully calmed down a bit now, but the underlying political situation hasn’t changed and Carlo remains worried things will flare up again.

Fow now Carlo and the kids are all hanging on in there and, like us, remain incredibly grateful for your support.

If you ever have any questions about the orphanage and how we use your donations, please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Thanks to your amazing support the children at the HTDC orphanage are all safe and happy this Christmas.

Because of your generosity we’ve now raised enough to pay the rent, and the kids will continue to have a safe home throughout 2019. Thanks so much!

With the rent secured the orphanage staff have been able to relax a little and the children are all enjoying the excitement of Christmas.

Carlo the Orphanage Director recently asked the kids what they wanted from Santa, and their answers were as earnest and touching as ever.

Fourteen year old Wilson said he’d like to have some new sneakers and new clothes, but that he also wants the protests that have been happening in Haiti to stop so he can go to school normally and get good grades.

Thirteen year old Nolson asked for a big party at the orphanage for all the kids, and he’d also like to have nice clothes and toys for him and his brother Wisly.

Six year old Novelie just wants a nice dress, and for her Auntie to be able to visit her soon.

We found Novelie’s answer particularly moving and it’s a reminder that many of the children at HTDC still have parents and other relatives alive, and that it’s poverty that often prevents families from being together in Haiti.This is a really sad situation but happily sometimes things do change for the better.

This year Carlo’s been working hard to help some of the children’s families improve their circumstanes, and his efforts have started to pay off. For example, the siblings Nolky, Noldy and Mudoleine have recently been able to go back to their father after Carlo helped him to start a small business earlier this year.

This is brilliant news and we’re delighted to report that two other families have also been reunited with Carlo’s help.

In other cases the children are orphans in the true sense of the word, but Carlo has also been able to find new families for kids like Bodlison and Bodlina. Their dad was killed in a motorcycle accident and their mum has never been found despite years of searching.

So, although they can't go home they’ve now been adopted by a family in the USA and are incredibly well and happy, as shown in one of the attached pictures.

Of course, Haiti remains very poor and many children remain at the orphanage as a result. But these stories show that orphanage life doesn’t have to be permanent in all cases.

Whatever the case, your enduring support is vital is giving the children at the orphanage a safe home, food, school and a chance for a brighter new year whatever their future holds

Thanks so much again, and we wish you and your own families a very Merry Christmas.

If you ever have any questions about the orphanage and how we use your donations, please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I would be delighted to hear from you.