Children's Respite Home & Outreach Project, Haiti

Simon arrived at the Maison de Benediction (our children’s respite home) in March of this year. He had been referred to us by friends of the hospital, Second Mile, an organisation which provides education and care for malnourished children and their mothers. Simon’s mum has learning difficulties and despite going through the programme at Second Mile three times, Simon was not putting on weight when he was at home and it became obvious that his mother was unable to care for him.

Simon also has minor learning difficulties and Nancie, the head of the Maison de Benediction was contacted to find a foster mother for him, as his mother agreed that she should give him up. Simon was registered in the foster care system, and Jennie, a warm mother of two offered to foster Simon. When he first came to the Maison at 13 months, he was severely underweight and was unable to support himself. Under the diligent care of the Maison carers, weekly assessments from the chief medical director at the hospital and loving home with Jennie, Simon has been able to thrive. Now as he approaches his second birthday he is a happy, healthy boy, sitting by himself who loves playing with the other children at the Maison.

The hospital also had its first surgical team come to perform minor surgeries last month, and one of the beneficiaries was Freddie, an eight year-old from the Maison. He had had a painful abscess on his neck for a week, however the surgical team were able to drain it and within the space of an afternoon, Freddie was feeling a lot better. This is why we are hugely grateful to all our supporters, especially those that come and share their medical expertise with our Haitian staff and serve our patients.

On behave of all of our team, and the patients we are privileged to serve, thank you for making 2014 a wonderful year.  We hope you will feel encouraged by the difference you have made.  May we close by wishing you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

With much love and thanks

All the HHA team

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In the last month, one of our long term staff called Mdm Woo Woo retired from the respite centre, after serving this project for 5 years.  Mdm Woo Woo's story has been inspirational, and we wanted to share a little bit about this incredible lady!

Firstly, at her leaving party she powerfully shared how this respite centre had brought joy back into her life.  We often reflect on the impact this project has on the children we care for, but often don't reflect on the same impact it has on the staff.  A week after the devastating earthquake in 2010, we traveled to Port au Prince and picked up Mdm Woo Woo and her family from a community left in rubble.  The terrifying and tragic ordeal had understandably left them traumatised.  This ordeal was made even more tragic a few weeks later, when Mdm Woo Woo's grandchild died in a mud slide in the city where we work, due to torrential rain.

Such a tragic season understanably left her feeling like she'd lost joy in life, perhaps forever.  However, upon arriving at the respite centre, she found life again.  Whilst serving and offering her life to these precious children, it was their joy, love and friendship that restored and changed her life.

Another reason her story is so inspirational, is the sacrificial way in which she worked, which was driven by love, and not money.  She would almost always be found hours after her shift had officially finished, still playing with the children, dancing and singing.  She exclaimed at her leaving party that caring for these children had been a great privilege.  That previliege is something we can all share in!  Mdm Woo Woo's life is just one of many, which has been transformed thanks to your support.

If we could all support this work with the same humility, sacrifice and joy as Mdm Woo Woo, think how many lives we could change together!  Could you share this project with your friends and family, so we can bring more joy to Haiti?  Thanks for your continued love and support, and stay encouraged by the lives being changed.

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