Story

On a recent trip to Haiti, I had a serendipitous encounter with a Haitian humanitarian who shared his vision of an orphanage with me. This kind man, Ephesian Nestor, has been looking after a group of 25 orphans since the 2010 earthquake. On his own, for the past two years, he has been providing these vulnerable kids with a place to go for afternoon activities. These are children have lost their parents in the earthquake or as a result of disease from the aftermath and have been abandoned as a result. They are lucky if they have one meal a day, clothes to wear or a garment to sleep on. Ephesien has been struggling to keep them off the streets and to give them any resources that he can. He can no longer do it alone.

My name is Kristin O'Connell and on May 22, 2012 I returned from Jacmel, Haiti, where I was a volunteer midwife for three weeks in a birth center. I never dreamed my life would be so impacted by my experience there and that I would be inspired to help a group of children in the village of Cayes Jacmel. As Ephesien told me some of their stories and the desperate situation at hand, I realized that I had been given a life-changing opportunity. I knew I had two choices; either I could return home thankful for my experience in Haiti, or I could take a leap of faith and help this man fulfill his vision. In that moment of truth I knew my answer.... at the very least I had to try. I am a mother, wife, yoga teacher, and friend who has been fortunate to have an abundant life. How could I walk away from this situation where I could make direct a difference? How could I abandon these children who really have nothing and no one? Would you? This is why I need your help.

What we Need

Together, Ephesien and I have set up the Devoted to Children Foundation. Our goal is to raise the funds to set them the children up in a home with local Haitian staff to care for them and provide them with an education. The first order of business is to rent and furnish the house in order to receive 12 children in the direst need. We will-staff the home with 2 caretakers, 2 cooks, and a security guard. The initial funds necessary to get this project off the ground is $11,000. This amount will cover the start-up costs and sustain the orphanage for 3 months. It is our ultimate goal to make this project self-sustainable and employ local Haitians, creating jobs and solidarity. However, this vision will only be possible with the financial support and efforts of people like you. The goal is to ensure that 12 children will have housing, food, clothes, education, and a safe refuge, in their own community. Most importantly, they will be given a fresh start. Our future goal is to be able to receive and care for more children. Please help me reach the goal of $11,000 by July 1, 2012, as time is of the essence to begin. The cost of a venti vanilla latte can pay the daily costs for one child. Can you give up your coffee today? A little money can go a go along way. Let’s help Ephesien give these children a place to call home.

Other Ways You Can Help:

• Please tell ALL your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues about our cause and this campaign.
• Share this campaign with the indiegogo.com share tools with your email lists and social media contacts.
• RIght NOW become a fan of our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/devoted2children
• Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/devoted2children
• Set up your own fundraising event to benefit the Caye Jacmel Orphanage Project.

All funds, regardless of meeting our goal (which surely we will with your help!) will go directly towards the Cayes Jacmel Orphanage Project.

The Impact 

Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. After the 7.0 earthquake devastated the country, thousands of children remained orphaned and abandoned. There was an incredible outpouring of disaster aid after the earthquake in 2010, but only 4% of it reached the people. Now, two 2 years later, there is little improvement and the aid has dissipated.  The most vulnerable and in need are the children. Even though some have been taken in by extended family or friends, the challenge of feeding and caring for an extra child can be overwhelming for an already struggling family.

After visiting these children, I was thanked profusely for coming to see them, since their village is so remote, they felt they had been forgotten. I was their first "blan" (white) visitor. On my last day, I promised them I would not be the last.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "If we are to have real peace, we must begin with the children."

I know that with your help, together we can offer these children a safe refuge for today and empower these children to reach their full potential in the future.