heart of a Haitian: Gradec Orphanage

During my last week in Haiti, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit an orphanage in Port-au-Prince.  Michael, my translator from last August, helps run the orphanage and wanted me to make a visit while I was in the country.  The timing worked perfectly since school at Centre Lumiere ended the week of June 20th and I didn't fly out until July 1st, so I was determined to make it happen.  I am so grateful that I did.

Gradec Orphanage has been in operation since 2005.  It is run by Yonel, Michael, and Pastor Wilson, who you can see below.  They provide a home for orphaned children as well as children with only one parent who is unable to take care of their child.  The Haitian government contacts them when they have kids in need of a home.  They have had as many as 45 children, but following the earthquake, many extended family members took children when they moved out of Port-au-Prince and tried to rebuild their lives.  Currently the orphanage has 15 children, but they are ready and prepared to receive more this summer.

It was such a blessing to be able to love on these kids for a week.  I've been thinking for the last few months how I thought I missed being a teacher in the classroom.  I honestly think I just miss being with kids.  These children were a blast to be around.  I wish I had more resources to spoil them with during my time there.  We spent hours playing outside, drawing on the chalkboard, braiding lanyards, coloring with crayons, playing with each others hair, dancing in the house, and laughing.  I was also able to bring clothes that were provided by friends from home and missionaries that came to work at the guest house in Les Cayes.  Check out our pictures below!

Spending a week at the orphanage was an eye opening experience for me.  I did not live in luxury at the guest house in Les Cayes, but we at least had the conveniences of running water and 24 hour electricity.  At the orphanage, our toilet was flushed with a bucket of water that had to be pulled from the well, showers were taken by scooping cups of water out of the bucket and pouring it over our head, and electricity only lasted from 10:30pm to 5:00am if we were lucky.  Thankfully I can sleep in sweat, but it's not a pleasant feeling to wake up to.  These little things that we never think of in the states is everyday life in Haiti.

My heart breaks for these children who have been left by their parent, and yet I am thrilled to see the safe, loving, Christian environment that they are being raised in.  One girl, Ismaelle, was brought into the orphanage the day before I came.  She cried for her mommy nearly everyday, and kept her distance from most people at the house.  Yet, throughout the week I would awaken to her singing as she bathed outside my window, and my last day there I couldn't help to snap photos of her smile (see below).

Michael and Yonel were both raised in a mission themselves.  It so amazing to see 2 great, Christian guys who want to bless the lives of other orphaned children just like they were blessed themselves.  If you would like to donate to Gradec Orphange, sponsor a child to help pay for schooling and medical care, take a missions trip and meet the kids in person, or possibly look into adopting one of these children, let me know!

Michael, Pastor Wilson, and Yonel

Jumping rope in front of the house

Shailla and Esther braiding Ismaelle's hair

Playing games in the living room

Michael playing with the kids

Woodro petting the adorable kitten that showed up in front of the house

Claudette, Wilson's wife, preparing dinner for everyone

Eating a meal together as a family

Pastor Wilson's church on Sunday morning

One damaged wall in the church

Kenson getting his head shaved

They know the Lord's Prayer in Creole and French... time to learn it in English!

Me helping with correct pronunciation of the Lord's Prayer in English

I love these kids!

The girls with 4 new dresses and 3 new pairs of underwear

The girls showing off a new dress

The boys showing off their new shirts... they got 2 shirts and 2 pairs of underwear

Standing in line in the kitchen waiting to see the nurse