Help Haitian Children and Their Families Overcome Hardship

We're volunteer English teachers for the beautiful children of the Dominican Republic. A lot of these Haitian children are immigrants whose families have fled from Haiti, seeking refuge here in this country. The violence in Haiti is absolutely unspeakable. These children and their families have lived through things that you or I could never imagine. Despite that, they still remain the most gracious and loving kids with the biggest hearts. We wish everyone could experience the love they have to give. If you're interested in more stories of the community, and what the funds will be going to, please continue reading.

Our kids mean THE WORLD and more to us. And I know if any of you had the lucky chance to know them, you would understand why. Knowing what they've been through, and knowing what they're going through... You would never expect the smiles and love they have to share everywhere they go.

If any of you have been following the recent conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, you'll know the brutalities that the Haitians are facing here in the Dominican. Living under constant discrimination, denied opportunities for employment and proper education, banned from receiving any medical care in public clinics or hospitals, these families are being forced out of the only "homes" they've ever known. Homes which consist of concrete floors, four metal sheets as walls and a tin roof and beds if they're lucky. They're threatened with insane measures of violence if they don't leave, even the lives of their children. We've known families who's members have been shot down, who's homes have been raided, and who's kids have been taken.

Many of these families have lived here for over 20 years. They have the proper documentation to remain. Some have never even stepped foot in Haiti. The idea that these terrible conditions are better than what they’re fleeing should tell you everything. No one should have to live in this kind of fear.

Yesterday morning, immigration officers came to our neighborhood at 3 a.m., raiding homes and taking children. Despite having legal documentation, these kids and their families were targeted simply because they are Haitian.

This is a cry for help. No matter where you stand on immigration, this is a humanitarian crisis. If you had the opportunity to hold one of these kids in your arms while they cry out "I don't want to leave. I love you I'll miss you teacher" you would begin to understand where we're coming from. These are human beings- children at that- living in inhumane conditions, and they need our help. Only by God's hands can these sweet families be offered relief.