Fall 2022 Newsletter
State of the orphanage
As we celebrate 13 years of operation, our commitment to every child we accept into our care has never been greater. Our commitment to our kids is all-encompassing. In addition to providing a stable home, we fund the education of all our kids. And unlike other orphanages in Haiti, we’re proud to be able to fund higher education for our kids who are over the age of 18 and who demonstrate a commitment to learning by –
1. Remaining in school and passing their courses;
2. Following our house rules;
3. Helping our staff and contributing positively to our home environment; and
4. Respecting our housemother and staff.
Instilling within our kids a respect for each other, our housemother, and our staff is paramount. As some of you know, Berline and Christella recently left our home after deciding they wanted more freedom than our house rules allow. We also said goodbye to Loveson, who recently left the home after refusing to follow our house rules. Naphta also recently left the home to live with relatives after behavioral problems. We continue to pray for each of these children and wish them God’s favour in everything they do.
The long isolation and stress resulting from the pandemic, we believe, directly or indirectly contributed to some of the issues leading to these departures. To help spark a little joy, we purchased a couple of hens and a rooster. The kids are enjoying caring for our growing flock. Next, we plan to add some goats!
A group of the chickens feeding and Fredson and Dmitri
State of the country
Thank you all for your unfailing support! It is precisely because of it, together with the blessing of the Lord, that we have continued our work in Haiti in spite of these unimagined circumstances. It has been 3 years since any of us from Canada or the USA has been able to visit Haiti for obvious reasons but we are virtually daily contact with the home. Food availability and cost are still a huge challenge and concern. For their safety, the kids are still confined within our compound except to go to school and to church. It continues to be hard on them but at least they are healthy and safe for which we thank God.
Schooling
All our kids, except for one of the little boys, have again made it through to higher grades. Moving to a higher grade is not automatic in Haiti. Each of of our kids had to have a combined score of at least a 60% to move to the next grade. Another exciting academic news is that Frankie has made it through high school and passed the national exam to start the baccalaureate program this fall. We are very thrilled! The 2 oldest girls -- Emulita and Osline will follow suit next year, God willing.
Unfortunately, Kedler will need to repeat his classes. Although he's come a very long way from the malnourished 18 month-old who was dropped off in our care, he needs an education assessment to help identify and address his learning challenges. Help for Kedler is urgently needed! Any suggestions or offers are welcomed.
The oldest boy and the 2 oldest girls
New kids
We had launched an expansion campaign which unfortunately did not get much traction because it coincided with the onset of the pandemic. We did, however, in spite of the pandemic and thanks to the generosity of a patron couple of WHCC, convert the gathering space on the second floor into a bedroom for at least 3 bunk beds. This has allowed us to separate the older boys from the younger ones. We had 11 boys in one room prior to this renovation work.
The current situation in Haiti has exacerbated the proliferation of displaced and orphaned children and because of gang activities in the country, some people who had contacted us for assessment and possibility to take in kids have not been able to come in because of safety concerns and transportation issues. We have, however, recently taken in a couple of girls -- Angeline (aged 8) and Lovina (aged 5). Like the kids before them, they are already settling-in in their new home where they can be kids and have a shot for a bright future.
The two new kids admitted to WHCC
Annual Christmas fundraising gathering
After a 3 year hiatus because of the pandemic, we were planning a resumption of in-person Christmas gathering this year. We have at the last minute, however, decided against it because of the rise in the highly transmissible omicron variant and for the safety of our patrons. We have instead decided to gather on ZOOM instead. Date: November 19. Time:4:00 Easter Time.(USA and Canada). Please watch out for the formal invitation and please join us and please make a donation. Suggestions as to what you want to see at the zoom are welcome.
Our Many Thanks
Thanks again to all of you who through your generosity in prayers and giving, have been with us all these years. May God continue to immensely bless you! Your support has allowed us to continue to help these children of Haiti. Please remember that as bad as things are for us over here, they are multiple times significantly worse in Haiti where no social safety net of any sort exists! So we continue to respectfully ask for your financial support and prayers because our very existence depends on it.
Prayer Request
1. Restoration of Law and Order in Haiti
2. Protection of our kids and caregivers
3. For reliable and stable staffing
Blessings!
To donate, please use:
(a) E-transfer (
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)
(b) Mail a check payable to Welcome Home Children Centre Inc. Address below.
(c) PayPal
(d) Canada Helps
Welcome Home Children's Centre Inc.
34 McCullough Crescent
Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
L7G 5N5
