Give 30 Orphaned Children a Sustainable Income

Thanks to your ongoing support our plans to buy the HTDC orphanage its own vehicle are moving forward with every week that passes.

In our last update we reported on how we were saving your generous donations towards the vehicle’s eventual purchase. This process is continuing and it will still take a little more time to complete, as we’re aiming to buy the most reliable vehicle we can. After all it’s a big investment for the future of the kids!

So, while we’re keen to move forward we’re also being patient and enjoying updates about life at the orphanage, some of which we wanted to share with you today.

One special event which the kids recently enjoyed was celebrating Haitian Flag Day. This is one of the most important days in Haiti due to the country’s history.

Carlo, the orphanage director, explained more about this:

“After ten years of fighting, the battles of the revolution came to an end in 1803 and the declaration of independence took place on January 1st 1804, where Haiti declared itself free.

On this day Haiti become a nation, and we abolished slavery. Five months later, its first flag as a nation was ready on May 18 1804. The colors of that flag was blue and red and this flag of pride and freedom is celebrated every year on May 18.

[One of the kids] Nefky said the Flag day event was fun, they play that day and the teachers teach them more about Haiti History and how we have this flag from all the slavery fight. He think he know more about Haitian history now and is proud”.

And, as well as learning about their history, the kids are also being encouraged to think about the future. For example, earlier in the same month the kids also marked another important day on May 1, which is is both Agriculture and Labor day in Haiti.

Carlo again explained more about this:

“We organized this event for agriculture day with different type of local fruit and food to teach how it is important to protect our environment, why they should plant trees and explain to them how deforestation can cause erosion.

All schools and community start to get involve to this event because every day this problem causing too much other problem, we know we need to start letting the kids know about that.

[Another of the kids] Nathanaelle think the agriculture event was very important and productive, and they had to eat dinner with only local food, not like their regular meals.

She think all the kids should get to know more about environment, deforestation and all the problems the world might be facing in future. She understand now why we should all [be] involve and contribute for a better Haiti and the world”.

We think it’s great that the kids are being encouraged to engage with these important issues in a fun way. And we want to thank you for making this possible.

Because you’re contributing towards buying the the orphanage a vehicle the staff can worry a little less about the kids' future, and where next year’s funds are coming from.

As a result they’re able to focus on engaging the kids with the future of their country, and of the wider world!  We think that’s pretty awesome - thank you!

Of course, we still need to raise more funds to purchase the vehicle, and we also wanted to share another great opportunity to help thanks to GlobalGiving.

This June 15 donations to this project by an incredible 50%.

Matching will start at 9am Eastern US Time and donations up to $1,000 will be matched per donor while funds remain. In the UK matching will start at 2pm and up to £1,000 will be matched per donor.

So, please consider making a gift on June 15, and please also spread the word about this incredible opportunity.

As always, if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I would be delighted to hear from you.

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