Orphan News

How Tolita came to be at This home, an orphan children’s home supported by Orphan’s Lifeline International in Cap Haitien, Haiti, was the direct result of the devastation caused by the earthquake earlier this year. But the true origins of her fate…and the loss of her parents in this tragedy go back much further in the history of this impoverished nation…

When the massive earthquake struck earlier this year, the devastation was complete. Poorly built structures crumbled in seconds trapping and killing many thousands of victims in an instant. If the homes and commercial structures had been built better, many lives would have been saved…if there were decent emergency services from the government…many lives could have been saved…but this nation’s past quite literally doomed its future generations long ago.

The people of Haiti have suffered for hundreds of years. In the 1600’s more than 800,000 slaves, the ancestors of Haiti’s current population, were kidnapped from hundreds of different tribes in Africa and brought to Haiti by the French to provide free labor for ever-expanding exports. They were treated brutally…worked day and night, fed poorly…tortured and killed for “disobedience” to their cruel “masters.”

But that was just the beginning. They would continue to suffer at the hands of occupiers, evil and greedy leadership, disease, violence and poverty right up until today when they still hold the title of the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere (Americas). Even the “help” they have received in the form of high interest loans from developed nations has kept them indebted and poor.

In addition to this, their spiritual beliefs had a tremendous negative impact…as slaves trying to keep their enslavers happy, created Voudo, a strange mix of African tribal
beliefs mixed with Catholic beliefs…wherein they believe that the “Supreme Being” does not interfere or intercede with human affairs in any way, good or bad…leaving it all up to humans...to pray to lesser “deities” to ward off bad luck and evil spirits…a failed practice that has left most spiritually bankrupt without the hope that only God can give them.
Many of the children there, as in many communities of poverty, go without proper education as well…and those that do receive a good education often leave as soon as they are able, to pursue their chosen careers in places that are safer and provide more opportunity.

Add it all up…a legacy of slavery, violence, occupation, captivity, corrupt and greedy leadership that ignored the needs of the people…war and ignorance that destroyed their natural resources…no belief in the one true God and the sum is a nation of impoverished people with very little hope…

But there is hope in Haiti…hope that began as a tiny seed planted years ago that has slowly grown as caring Christians numbering in the thousands have worked hard to bring the Word of God to the people of Haiti.

Hope in the form of people transformed by the Word finding newfound faith and recognition of their responsibility to help their own people…and belief that they CAN make a real difference with God’s help.

The director of this home is such a person…and her foundation OFAAH reaches out to many people in her community that suffer, including through this home to 25 children, orphaned socially or completely by the many forces…historical and present day, that seek to keep these people who have suffered for so long still suffering.

The home is tiny…far too small for the number of children that live there…the modern conveniences…none. But the children that live here now have a chance that they have never had before in their young lives. These are children who have suffered greatly…their varied stories of loss and tragedy culminating in one distinct commonality… hopelessness and a high probability of death.

This home, now supported by Orphan’s Lifeline International, has already seen improvements in the short time we have been providing funding. The children there are already experiencing improved health as they slowly begin to recover from many ailments…malnutrition, infections, worms, respiratory problems and other various ailments. A regular diet, proper medication and treatment as well as constant shelter from the elements are making the difference.

The potential for a new home in a better area is being investigated as well and we are working diligently to bring stability to all areas of need in this home…

For it is places like this across this suffering nation where the future of Haiti will in great part be decided. Places that care for the future generation of Haitians…the future work force, educators, spiritual leaders…mothers and fathers.

As the current generation of Haiti ages…old beliefs will die or flourish depending on the influence of those that know the truth and are willing to sacrifice to make the difference…to nurture the seed that has been planted and help the people of Haiti to see the love of God in their caring acts of compassion…for it is in that…and in the children that the only true hope for Haiti can be found.