We Can Build An Orphanage

Visit from the Sisters of Charity

As part of our outreach to other Haiti organizations we at WeCanBuildanOrphanage.com reconnected with the Sisters of Charity, the Mother Theresa order that has an orphanage in Jacmel, across the street from Hopital St Michel. You may remember a few of our blog posts in the past where we spoke about them, some of our kids came from their organization.

After we reconnected a few of the sisters decided to visit us, the older woman is sister Aba who has been in Haiti for 32 years and the other is sister Adu who has been in Haiti for 16 years. Sister Adu remembered all 3 of our “triplets” as all 3 of them at some point have been in the sisters care.

Amawanda’s Return Home

Over the last few weeks at WeCanBuildanOrphanage.com we have done a great deal of investigation into Amawanda‘s family to see if it was time to place her back home with her family. Last Thursday we made the decision to do just that, bring her home.

Topanga Film Festival

Last but not least…Meet Idoris!

Name: Idoris
With us since: Aug 9, 2008
Birthday: May 17, 2007 (he was found on this day, at the steps of the Albert Schweitzer hospital in Dachapelles, estimated to be between 1 to 3 days old max)
Status: HIV- Microcephaly

Idoris was the last child to come live with us at the orphanage and we all have a very soft spot for this tiny 2 year old.0

Idoris’s Hospital Visit

Last Friday at the orphanage at 8:15AM Ambroise called Lia to let her know that Idoris, one of our children with fluid in his brain, was having problems breathing again. Immediately Idoris was rushed to the hospital to see our doctor, Dr Ernest.

When our team arrived with Idoris they informed the doctor that he was also having problems with his stool and was very constipated. The doctor put him on oxygen for a little while and gave him a suppository. Very soon after Idoris had a bowel movement and was much better. With that, Dr Ernest said they could take him home. The doctor reminded us to be sure to triple check him and his breathing as often as possible.

Food for our Kids

Some of our readers may remember our story early this month about finding ways of “Helping our Budget” (click the link to find out more). Well this week we got some good news. Thanks to our exceptional staff in Haiti thinking outside the box we got a visit from the WFP (World Food Programme). There visit was to see if we would qualify for their food aid.

After we filled out their form, and had a very nice meeting. We were able to show our guests from WFP  our orphanage and the available storage area we had for food. The meeting went wonderfully and they even complimented us for what we are doing, and how we were doing it!

Bill Clinton reflects on his first trip to Haiti as UN Special Envoy

You can read more on this story on the United Nations Webcast.

If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with our orphanage, please click here: WeCanBuildanOrphanage.com.

Meet Zael

With us since: April 14, 2008
Birthday: March 15, 2008
Status: HIV+ at birth, at 6 months old starting testing negative. 1 final test remains at 18 months.

Zael was born on March 15th, 2008 in Laplen, Montagne Lavoute, halfway up the road from Jacmel to Port au Prince. His mother was HIV+ and passed away shortly after he was born. Having no way of caring for a new baby, Zael’s father thought he would have to abandon his little son. Fortunately word began to spread about WeCanBuildanOrphanage.com and on April 14th, 2008 Zael’s father showed up on our door step with his new born son.

Weekend Seminar with Wilky Sanon

A few weeks ago we told you about Wilky Sanon, our new psychologist. Last weekend we had the good fortune of receiving another visit from Wilky at WeCanBuildanOrphanage, and this time he brought another psychologist friend, and 2 social workers with him.

We were thrilled to have all of this extra help for an entire weekend. Wilky decided to put on a 2 day seminar. Saturday was a day for the nannies, and Sunday was all about the kids.

Meeting with Father Marc

Yesterday our Topanga office had the great pleasure of sitting down for lunch with Father Marc. Father Marc is a wonderful man who runs an orphanage in Haiti with over 600 kids. The name of his organization is FreeTheKids.org, his over 11 years of service has armed him with knowledge and experience unmatched.

Say Hello to Martin

Name: Martin
Birthday: Unknown, but we celebrate it on February 11th, 2005
Status: HIV-, Cerebral Palsy

Meet Martin. On a routine visit to the hospital with Estania, we noticed a little disabled boy in one of the hospital cribs. The boy had been left to fend for himself, he had no identification and his birthday is a mystery. When we found him, he had been in the hospital for a few days and had been severely neglected. His diapers were soiled and he was covered in lice. We were under the impression that no one had taken any notice of this little boy in a few days. We were left with no choice but to bring the little boy home. and in honor of the founder of WeCanBuildanOrphanage we named the boy Martin.

Helping our Budget

As part of our efforts to reduce the budge, Lia our director had the idea to ask for help in the form of food. And last week that is exactly what she did.

Lia found a local Jacmel organization who gives out food to schools, called Kros in creole or Crose in french. The people with the organization were very nice, and after evaluation they gave us 200 kg of rice, 50 kg of white beans, and 2 gallons of cooking oil. We use about 100 kg of rice each month at the orphanage, so we have enough rice to get us through 2 months now.