Our Story
On January 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m., a 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti with an epicenter just 10 miles west of Port Au Prince, the capital city. Within fifteen days, hundreds of thousands were reported injured or dead and millions were in need of some kind of emergency aid.
As news of the earthquake began to unfold, a team of people associated with Columbia’s First Baptist Church assembled who shared a passion to quickly do something to help in Haiti. By God’s grace a door was opened for this team to fly into Port Au Prince with medical relief supplies 8 days after the earthquake. Working diligently to help those with physical needs in tent cities in and around Port Au Prince as well as offering the hope of Jesus Christ, the team saw God use them mightily.
After returning to the States, FBC received contributions to purchase and ship tents for temporary shelter to needy families in Haiti. A second team delivered these tents and other supplies four weeks later as well as planted the seeds for supporting what would become Grace Children’s Home in Croix Des Bouquets, Haiti.
After this second trip, 6 men who had been on these previous trips met together and formed Haiti Orphan Foundation to physically and spiritually care for children in Haiti.
Our Founders
Our Partner
Pastor Lesly Bertrand is the founder of the Assemblée de la Grâce church and the Grace Assembly Network (GAN), which is centered in Croix des Bouquets near Port-au-Prince. Through the GAN, he oversees dozens of churches throughout Haiti, and mentors a network of Pastors, providing encouragement, support, and training.
Along with his wife, Bernadette Soufrant, Pastor Lesly cares for the children and staff of the Grace Children’s Home (GCH). They desire for GCH to be not only a loving home for vulnerable children, but also a training ground that develops young leaders and disciples.
Haiti Orphan Foundation began an official partnership with Pastor Lesly in April, 2011. As part of the partnership, HOF funds the staff of the Grace Children’s Home, as well as provides for the physical, educational, spiritual, and healthcare needs of the children of GCH.
Please pray for Pastor Lesy and his family as they make a difference for Christ throughout Haiti and around the world.
For more of Pastor Lesly’s story, click here.