Haiti Mission Trip January 2018

Meet the children from Alexis Rosemene orphanage (I call her Rose). I met Rose on a trip not long after the Haiti earthquake in 2010. She had just moved out of a housing situation that was deplorable; I also learned she had lost the only financial support she had. I came back home determined to do what I could to help her. It's been seven years now helping these wonderful children.


To have a greater appreciation for Rose and these children, you have to know their story. Before the 2010 earthquake, the number of orphans in Haiti reached into the hundreds of thousands. After the earthquake, that number grew exponentially. Many children lost both their parents in the earthquake. With no family to take them in, they found themselves alone on the streets. In some cases, they may have had a family, but they were unable to afford the additional mouth to feed. So, they turn them away. Rose has shared with me heartbreaking stories of these children dying on the streets. Others, taken in by a family only to be treated has their house servant.


Many of the children Rose has taken in over the years come from these situations. Rose normally can house 25 children both boys and girls of various ages. Over the years, I have marveled at the way she can make so little spread so far. There is no government support, only government regulations to make life more difficult. As a parent of two, I know the demands of caring for them, try caring for 25 hungry mouths. Then there’s the doctor visits, school clothes, tuition, school supplies, food, and housing cost.

Over the past seven years, with the help of very generous family members and friends, much has been done to help the orphanage. As you can imagine, the dirt, wind, humidity and intense heat make things wear out much quicker. We have replaced the bunk beds twice, replaced the mattresses, sheets, pillows and mosquito nets every couple of years. We work on the generator, well pumps and paint, just like being at home, something always needs repairing.

The best part is spending time with the kids. They are all about taking selfies with my phone (kids are kids no matter where you are). They’re the best huggers you will ever meet and steal your heart. It never fails at least one will latch on to your hand and not let go for the whole time.


Sometimes I don’t let Rose know that I am coming, just to surprise them, I want to see how things are for real. Rose runs a tight ship always clean, orderly, children dressed in clean clothes.

On January 21, 2018, I’m going down for an overdue visit.

I hope to be able to carry some additional funds to meet any benevolence needs I come across. Absolutely 100% of net proceeds go to Haiti; the credit card company have to get their cut. I travel with the same group of people each year, and we cover our expenses.

What the funds will be used for:

*Food (Rice and Beans)
*Facility Maintenance
*Mosquito Nets
*Bedding
*Medical Supplies
*Medical expences
*Clothing
*Other basic necessities

Thank you for taking time to read up on Rose and the children in Cap Haitian, Haiti. Your donation will have a profound impact on some beautiful children.

Thank you,
 
Mike