Haiti Orphan Foundation

Bringing Hope and Provision to Children in Haiti through the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Grace Children's Home

Life-Changing Experience: A HOF sponsor meets their child

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by Tim Monetti

It’s been seven years since my neighbor and friend, Bruce Cope, returned from his first trip to Haiti. His passion was palpable as he told us of his experiences being one of the first doctors in following the horrible Earthquake that had ravaged the country. He and three friends were committed to doing what they could for the children there. The result was the creation of the Haiti Orphan Foundation (HOF).

Tim introducing Enochson to Cathy.

It didn’t take long for my wife, Cathy, and me to decide to support their mission by sponsoring one of the boys. Photos of precious little 7-year-old Enoch captured our hearts and we looked forward each year to updated photos via annual trips taken by the HOF board members. 

This year I decided to join them. Along with Bruce and a few of the other board members we boarded a plant to Haiti and the orphanage called the Grace Children’s Home. It was my great joy to meet Enoch in person. He is now 14 and prefers to be called by his adult name, Enochson, something I learned is traditional in Haiti when young boys begin to transition to young men.

What an incredible moment it was to meet him in person.  At 14, Enochson is healthy, smart, quick to smile and still young enough to allow a hug! He is also quite the athlete as we discovered when we played a very spirited game of soccer with the boys. With one of the staff at Grace acting as translator, I was able to show him a picture of Cathy and to tell him how proud we are of the young man he is becoming.  

I spent two days trying to learn the names of each and every boy. I did not succeed but that didn’t seem to matter. They knew me and called me by name, “Tim” (with that wonderful French Creole accent), then motioning for help with something or just wanting attention or a hug.

While each of the boys has his own personality, they all share a couple of wonderful traits. First, they consider themselves to be family, and the brotherly love they share shines through as evidenced by the many times I’d round a corner to find a group of them standing together, their arms wrapped shoulder to shoulder. Second, they are eager and quick to help with any project at hand. For instance, when a couple of us decided to relocate a pile of scrap iron away from where the boys play soccer, the boys jumped in to help without being asked. In moments ten or 12 of them appeared out of nowhere to help, doing so with joy and enthusiasm. 

It is not an exaggeration to say visiting Haiti and the Grace Children’s Home was a life-changing experience for me. I’d encourage any sponsor to make the trip!

Looking Good

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A group of five board members and sponsors enjoyed an amazing visit with the boys of Grace Children’s Home in early December. At this time, we have fifteen boys at the Home, ranging in age from 8 to 15. The boys looked great and all are very healthy. We enjoyed playing soccer with them and spent time demonstrating the toys and games we brought them as Christmas gifts. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the gifts. 

Your continuing support is truly making a difference in the lives of these children.

It was exciting to see how much the boys have grown and matured since our last visit. Their manners, respectfulness and contributions to household chores were impressive. They played well together and really seem to enjoy one another. Your continuing support is truly making a difference in the lives of these children.

What’s ahead?

As some might remember, we have two of the older boys progressing on to secondary school.   In Haiti, this school is equivalent to middle and high school.  This is a great opportunity we are able to offer the boys at the Grace Home.  Each day Faby and Enockson catch a ride to their new school just a few miles from the orphanage.   We are excited to report both boys are doing wonderfully.  They are enjoying the new surroundings and the challenging work.  Pastor Lesly has shared with us that this is one of the best schools in Croix Des Bouquet.   Excellence does come at a price.  The additional cost to send the boys to this private school is $42 a month per child.  Please continue to pray for us as we commit to meet this need.

“What is next?” has been the thought we have pondered most recently.  Our boys are getting older, and we will need to make big and meaningful decisions in the coming years.  We continue to explore options for further education and vocational opportunities.  We realize, much like our own children, that our boys are individuals with different talents and interests.  Not all are suited for higher education. Some of our boys may be best suited for becoming a tradesman.  We are currently looking at how best to give them opportunities.  We continue to have thoughtful discussions with Pastor Lesly and our friends at the Global Orphan Project.  We were blown away after touring GOP’s flagship vocational school.  They are doing remarkable work.  They offer a two year training program in sewing, farming, diesel mechanics, and most recently, construction.  Please continue to pray for wisdom as we seek more avenues to allow our boys to flourish.

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A big value of HOF is making a difference in the community through the local church.  Most of our trips include free medical clinics through Grace Assembly Church & School.  Such clinics provide care, education, and a strengthened relationship with the community. 

GCH Staff Spotlight: Levy Bertrand

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Leadership was born out of tragedy .  Levy Bertrand and his wife, Martine, have now lived at the Grace Children’s Home for three years.  Soon after the tragedy and break-in of 2013, pastor Lesly felt the need to have a male figure who permanently resided at the orphanage .  That role fell to his son Levy Bertrand and his family.   

It has truly been a Godsend.  Under his tutelage the boys have flourished.  He has begun transforming young boys into young man.  His impact is felt over every aspect of their lives.  Not only does he require respect and discipline but he encourages individuality and personal growth.  Among many duties, he is specifically responsible for teaching the boys music and English.    They are all doing very well on both fronts.

His commitment and love towards the boys is palpable.  Though most are orphaned,  this sense of family at Grace points directly back to Levy.  We are fortunate to have such a valued member of our staff.  Please continue to pray for his ministry as he equips young Haitians for a harsh world ahead.

Welcome to GCH: Guendy

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Guendy is the newest boy to come live at Grace Children’s Home.  His mother, Modeline, works on staff at GCH.  Pastor Lesly accepted him into the home when he learned that he had never been to school.  Guendy is very loving and very much appreciates everything he gets. He is quiet, but has acclimated quickly and easily to life at GCH.  Guendy is very smart and perceptive.

Please pray for Guendy as he gets settled at Grace.  We know that God has great plans for Guendy, and we believe that God is going to use the ministry of Haiti Orphan Foundation and Grace Children’s Home to do incredible things in and through Guendy!

Hurricane Matthew Update

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This is a message we just received from Pastor Lesly.  Thanks for your continued prayers for Haiti and the children/staff of Grace Children’s Home.  Know that as we learn more, we will organize resources to help however we can.

 

Dear Dr. Bruce :

Thank you for your concern about us. At this point we are fine at the orphanage home and all the boys are fine and very well but we are still under the hurricane and it could leave the country at noon before it get Jamaica and Cuba tomorrow night. Right now we are under strong and violent wind and a lot of rain. There is flooding in our village, water is almost 3 feet but our property is safe from the water, the southern of Haiti is worst. We have 3 churches there and it is very difficult to communicate with them. Pray for us because after the hurricane we are going to experience epidemic it could be more worst than the hurricane. It is something common in Haiti after any major hurricane where many people died in epidemic. I think we will need some help for our people in the south, please think how if you can organize a team may be November or next year to help rebuild.
Blessings I will keep you informed.
Pastor Lesly

GCH Staff Spotlight: Jacqueline Tidé

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             Jacqueline Tidé

One of the primary ministries of the Haiti Orphan Foundation is supporting and overseeing the Grace Children’s Home in Croix-des-Bouquet, Haiti.  Obviously, having a great “on the ground” staff at GCH is vital in accomplishing our vision of raising young leaders who love Jesus and are prepared to affect real change in Haiti.  No matter their title in the home, all of our staff play huge roles in caring for our children and modeling a Christ-like attitude as they serve with grace and excellence.  One of the key staff members at GCH is Jacqueline Tidé.  

Jacqueline and her three children (Lina, Guivenchy, & Tchenley) are from the town of Hinche in central Haiti.  Her husband is a farmer who works very hard but is not able to adequately feed his family.  Jacqueline moved to Port-au-Prince to work as a maid in an orphanage to earn enough money to care for her children.  After several months of not being able to pay Jacqueline, the pastor who ran the orphanage referred her to Pastor Lesly who was looking for a House Mother at GCH.  Pastor Lesly agreed to let her children live at the home, and Jacqueline began working as a House Mother.  She said it was very difficult until HOF got involved.  HOF not only provided a pay check but also allowed Pastor Lesly to hire addition staff for the home.  

Jacqueline is one of the hardest workers we have ever seen.  She cares for all of the boys as if they were her own.  Jacqueline sends her sincere appreciation to all the sponsors of HOF.  She says without HOF she and her children would be homeless, and she would not have the ministry of caring for the boys of GCH.  Please pray for Jacquline and her family as she continues this important role of raising our boys with the love of Christ. We are so thankful for Jacqueline and the other staff members who serve the boys of the Grace Children’s Home so well.

Haiti Orphan Foundation: Then, Now, & Tomorrow

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When we first stepped foot on Haitian soil in January 2010 to offer assistance in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake, we had no idea of the resulting chain of events that would change our lives and forever tie our hearts to Haiti.   In the months and years following that fateful trip, we have experienced things we never planned for or imagined: the challenges of starting an international non-profit organization, the anxiety of making a long-term commitment to fifteen vulnerable young children, the joy of bringing sponsors into the lives of these children, the pain of losing a ministry partner in war, the heart-break of experiencing tragedy within the walls of Grace Children’s Home, and the indescribable pride of watching our boys overcome challenges as they mature physically, spiritually, emotionally, and educationally in the warm environment of a loving home. 

While the challenges of the work have certainly been real, the rewards have been priceless.  As we finish our fifth year of ministry in Haiti, we currently have thirteen boys, ages 6-13, in the Grace Children’s Home.  We continue to partner with Pastor Lesly Bertrand to support his ministry in Croix-des-Bouquet and far beyond.  The children of GCH receive three meals a day, private education at Grace Christian School, after-school tutoring and discipleship, the influence of loving house parents, and heavy involvement in the ministry of Grace Assembly Church.  HOF has teamed with a partner ministry in an orphan prevention initiative that has helped to keep over 200 families together.  

“While the challenges of the work have certainly been real, the rewards have been priceless!” 

Dr. Bruce seeing sick children at PAP orphanage.

As we look forward, our attention goes to the future of our children beyond the Grace Children’s Home and beyond our day-school program.  Children typically age out of orphanages around 17 years old, and education / strong trade skills are vital to successful survival as an adult in Haiti.  We are currently seeking options for the best way to provide college education and trade school training for each of our children.  Our ministry partner organization in Croix-des-Bouquets, Global Orphan Project, has piloted an exciting “Pathways” program that is meeting this growing need in Haiti.

As we move forward, we also hope to get more involved in the local community of Croix-des-Bouquets.  We would like to bridge a partnership with a local medical clinic to better meet ongoing healthcare needs of not only our children but also the community at large.  On our most recent trip, we learned of the need for medical care at another local orphanage.  Dr. Bruce responded to the need by seeing and treating a number of very sick kids. 

Tiga & Widson are thankful for the help of sponsors.

Through the treatment of one particular child, we were able to connect with a local clinic that aided in the recovery of a life-threatening illness.  This new relationship with the local clinic has the potential to allow HOF to meet healthcare needs of the community on a larger scale.  

Thanks for partnering with the Haiti Orphan Foundation as we continue our mission of bringing hope and provision to the children of Haiti through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Know that you are making a difference that will impact eternity.

On behalf of Tiga, Widson, and all the children of Grace Children’s Home… “THANK YOU!”

GCH Update: Daniel & Watson

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We rejoice that two of our boys, Daniel and Watson, were recently reunited with family members who are now in the position to care for their needs.  While they are now with relatives, Haiti Orphan Foundation remains committed to ensuring their needs are met outside of the walls of Grace Children’s Home. Please pray for them as they adjust to a new environment and new challenges.

A huge THANK YOU to the sponsors who have invested in the lives of Daniel and Watson.  Know that your investment has made a difference and will continue to shape their lives and futures.  We pray that all they learned at GCH will be a lasting legacy that will impact countless through the lives of these extraordinary young men.  We can’t wait to see all that God does in them and through them!

Grace: More than the name of a home

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Lena’s story begins when the doors of the Grace Children’s Home opened.  Her mother, Jacqueline, is one of the house mothers for our boys.   Her presence rounded out our census of 15 boys and 1 girl.   Over the past few years, we have watched her grow from a little girl to a wonderful young lady. Now 17 years old, Lena has made some choices that has forced a change in her life.   On July 19, 2015 she gave birth to a beautiful little girl.

Dr Bruce & Pastor Tripp visit with Lena, her baby, & her mother.

The ordeal remains a strong reminder of the challenges Haitian culture places on females.  She became ostracized and shame fell at her feet.  Her mother sent her to live with a friend in Dumas, Port-au-Prince.  We visited her just 5 days after giving birth.  Through God’s grace both baby and mom are healthy.  Her living situation is crude and minimalistic.  The harsh reality of social pressures forced her to leave the only city she knew.

HOF felt called to show the love of Christ and not turn our back on her in this time of need.  With hopes of ensuring a safe environment for mother and child, we have arranged for 1 year’s rent on a room in PaP. ( the cost: $400 ). We remain committed to our children despite the choices they make.  Our promise is to help her become the person God has planned.  This help may take the course through education, the learning of a trade, or another path not yet revealed.  We feel compelled to offer the everlasting love God has for all His children.

We all need to experience the love and grace of God. We thank you for your support and ask for your continued prayer for Lena and her baby.