Children's Respite Home & Outreach Project, Haiti

Children with disabilities in Haiti are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in in the country, facing severe discrimination. Maison de Benediction at HCBH, our partner hospital in North Haiti provides life-transforming care for children with disabilities and their families.

With MdB now open full time again, our rehabilitation co-ordinator, Brooke, has introduced a Vocational Internship programme with some of the children. As the children get older, we want to set them up for success as they grow into adulthood. Each child has been paired with a HCBH employee to learn useful skills on a 1-to-1 basis. 

The programme aims to show them the value of work, allow them to help contribute to their family financially and demonstrates to the hospital staff the importance of workplace inclusion for people with diabilities. 

One of the children taking part in the programme is L, who has cerebral palsy. She has been paired with FiFi, a cleaner in Internal Medicine, Surgery and X-Ray. Over recent weeks, L has learnt how to clean sinks, sweep put new, clean sheets on the beds and prepare gauze for surgeries. She is progressing well and enjoys her time with FiFi who is excited to see everything L can do.

Another child taing part is N, who also has cerebral palsy. N has been paired with HCBH agronomist Marlene and has learnt how to cut the bushes around the hospital, take cuttings for new saplings and plant them.

Both L and N have been coming to the Maison since they were young as we are so very happy to see them progressing well and most importantly, enjoying themselves! 

Thank you for your ongoing support to the children and families of Maison de Benediction. Thanks to your donations, we can continue to provide life transforming care to children with disabilities and challenge preceptions of disabilities in Haiti.