Children's Respite Home & Outreach Project, Haiti

Haiti is experiencing the impact of COVID-19 much like the rest of the world. But with  hardly any testing going on the true picture in Haiti is unknown. Thankfully we've not seen many cases in the north at our hospital but the threat is growing. It is it's that in mind that the Maison has been closed for several weeks already. Of course this is sad for the children and makes it tough for the families, but it is a necessary pre-caution with the danger that exists.

However, we wanted to provide an update gathered from staff in Haiti from before the COVID quarantine:

"The Maison is currently full and finding it difficult to take on any new children, even though there is a waiting list. Some children that haven’t been coming regularly are also beginning to return.

Recently the medical director agreed to accommodate a young girl who is extremely hyperactive and needs to be closely monitored. Her mother had tried to get her a place in a school, but had been refused at every one. When her mother was told she would be accepted at the Maison as a day student, she was so pleased! The staff are doing everything possible to enable this young girl to move forward.

Many parents of children attending constantly show how proud they are of the work done and are truly excited by the way their children are developing! If families need support, for example if they are having difficulties finding or paying for transport, then the administration department try to help wherever possible.

The children are making progress in many areas. Some are learning to count by filling in blanks in number sequences and by singing songs to improve their memory. Some are able to identify colours and others can indicate choices or answer questions correctly by using their eyes to look at objects or pictures or by shaking or nodding their head. Another child is able to identify every child and staff member by name and the staff are all extremely delighted by his progress. This boy is now attending school, which demonstrates the growth and improvement he has made.

Some of the older children are now involved in leading daily activities such as singing and Bible studies. They really enjoy this and it is helping them with their confidence and communication. A few of them are also learning practical skills, by observing and helping staff that focus on chores around the house. Examples of these are learning about washing & folding clothes, filling up water buckets and sweeping up. Some of these activities also help with their balance and co-ordination and they are gaining so much from the experience!

As some of the young people ,who have been at the Maison for a while, are now much older, the desire of the team is to develop more age-appropriate programmes and also to support them in dealing with issues of growing up and adolescence. This is an area which will need input to train staff and build up resources for an increasing number of young people.

We have a new nurse, Bertha, who started in January 2020 and the Maison is fully staffed. The team receive training from the regular groups of volunteers and learn techniques to put into practice at the Maison.

Recently a group of college students visited. They were overwhelmed by the work being done at the Maison, particularly the activities the children were engaged in and also the way in which they were so well cared for by the staff. This group gave a donation to the Maison, which really encouraged and uplifted the team!

We hope and pray that the Maison can safely re-open soon and that the children and staff can return.