We Can Build An Orphanage

Today is the beginning of a series of Monday blogs that I will introduce our children to you and share the stories of how they came to live with us in our orphanage. The first child we will introduce you to is the first child who came to live with us, and her name is Youseline.

Youseline was born on June 3, 2001 in a suburb of Haiti’s capital of Port au Prince. She and her family lived between Port au Prince and Lavallee de Jacmel, a farming community in the mountains above the beach town of Jacmel.

Youseline’s father had passed away years prior from reasons unknown, and when Youseline was only five, her mother succumbed to AIDS at the young age of 23.

Now an orphan, Youseline was left in the care of her mother’s parents. Though they tried, her grandparents were unable to care for Youseline, who had begun to develop symptoms of HIV herself. She was undernourished and her weakened immune system had caused sores all over her body.

Knowing that they might lose their granddaughter to AIDS as well, her grandparents placed Youseline with Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity, which provides short-term care for those in need.

The sisters enrolled her immediately in the AIDS program at Hospital St. Michel, where doctors put her on ARV (anti-retroviral) medications. Our director Lia heard about Youseline’s plight, and on September 13th 2007, Youseline became our orphanage’s inaugural orphan. Then six years old, Youseline was also infected with tuberculosis, with three weeks left of her treatment. Only three weeks later, she was doing much better. Her skin cleared up and the sores in and around her mouth had disappeared.

Youseline had never attended school. When she came to live with us she had no basic knowledge of colors, math, reading or writing. Youseline is now almost eight, and attends school Monday through Friday with her two friends Estania and Melinda(who you will hear about in our upcoming Monday blog post. Together the three learn reading, writing, arithmetic, French, and arts through our home schooling program.

Youseline loves school and wants to become very smart. In April, we were fortunate to have a photographer volunteer at the orphanage and set up a photography workshop that Youseline was a part of. She loved it!!! Every day at 2pm during the workshop, the girls would attend photography class and learn how to work a camera and take pictures.

Youseline has willingly taken on the role of “big sis” to the other 13 children in the orphanage. When treats are brought for the kids, Youseline makes sure that everyone gets an equal share, even the staff. She is always thinking of others and always open helping out with the younger kids.

This was all possible with generous donations, if you would like to learn more and get involved please click here: WeCanBuildanOrphanage.com.