Children's Respite Home & Outreach Project, Haiti

Many of the kids who attend the Respite Centre have physical disabilities making it impossible to walk. With appropriate wheelchairs often too expensive or simply not available in Haiti, many children we see have never had their own chair and spend their days sitting in a things like baby strollers, or just on the floor. Besides the obvious mobility restrictions, a child living in this way has other affects on their lives.

Kervens is a lovely boy of 8 years old who has been coming to the project for several years. His family of 7 live in a 1 room house in one of the poorest slums of Cap-Hatien. His disability is such that he cannot walk or talk but is still very aware and can communicate with his eyes. He loves being involved in activities and coming to the Respite Centre.

Kervens has always sat in an old baby stroller which meant he was nearly lying down and made him seem a lot younger and less aware of what was happening that was actually the case. Because of that he could easily be ignored or left out.

HHA work with the Walkabout Foundation to supply adapted wheelchairs to people with disabilities in Haiti, and last month, Kervens was finally able to receive his own chair. His older brother came in and was part of the fitting process so he can help out with the chair when at home. This simple bit of equipment will totally transform Kerven's life. He now sits upright in a full size chair which makes him much more noticeable. He will no longer be dismissed as a quiet 'baby' but seen as a happy 8 year old boy who happens to have a disability. 

For us, providing a fitted wheelchair to a child does more than provide increased physical mobility - it allows them to take their rightful place in society and to be recognised for who they are. Kervens is a much loved child both at his home and at our respite centre so everything, including Kervens himself, is delighted that he now has his own wheelchair.

Your support is really making these positive outcomes possible so thank you so much from everyone at HHA!

Links:

• HHA disability work

Everyone who visits the respite home (Maison de Benediction) feels what a special place it is. In a society that struggles to accept disability, it really stands out as a beacon for compassionate care and dignity for children who have as much right to be happy as anyone else. We're very proud of the Maison and we can't thank you enough for supporting this special place.

Of course, much of the heart of the place comes from the people. The staff are incredible giving so much of their lives to care for the children. And the children bring so much happiness. When you visit you are sure to be greeted with several huge smiles and hugs! But there's an unsung hero which has been looking after everyone for many years and is very much part of the character there...the building itself. It was one of the first buildings on the site and has been standing by watching the neighbouring hospital grow and grow over the last 10 years.

Conditions in Haiti can take its toll on buildings and after many years the Maison was in desperate need of a refurbish. The roof was leaking in several places, there was a widespread termite infestation in the roof timber making a lots of mess but more worryingly weakening the structure. And the staff had been making do with inadequate kitchen facilties for many years.

Finding the money to run the home is a challenge so finding the money to make the repairs seemed unlikely. But our friends at The Haiti Health Trust and one of our supporting schools in the UK came to the rescue working so hard to raise around £20,000 for the work to be done. This summer the kids and staff moved out and work began to fit a completely new roof, kitchen, windows and doors. The results have been amazing and the Maison is now set to look after the children and staff for many more years.

Last month the Maison re-opened with everyone excited by the transformation. The kids made some signs saying 'MESI', meaning thank you, for all those who contrbuted to their newly refurbished home!  

In other news, the newly created Community Rehabilitation Team have been working hard over the summer to help children with disabilities out in the community. They have already visited hundreds of families providing physotherapy, education and also advocating on their behalf with community institutions like schools and churches. We are sure that this project will continue to have a huge impact on those who cannot come to the respite home but need just as much care.

Thank you so much to you for your support of this vital work. Please continue it if you can. We need your regular support. 

Links:

• HHA disability work