We had visitors!
Right before Christmas, the Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches (or "IBESR", Haitian Social Services) in partnership with the Rotary Club paid a rare visit to Angel House Orphanage, one of only six local orphanages to receive this honor. They brought gifts for every child and spent the day observing, asking questions, and interacting with the children in our care.
Our guests were quite taken with our adorable babies, Rogerly, Gabriel, and Leilah (and who could blame them?) The older children took a break from their day in school to meet their guests, impressing them with their good manners, charm, and open friendliness. The children were excited for their new audience with whom to discuss Argentina’s dominance in the World Cup games! In fact, the energy of the entire group was so joyful and happy that it turned into a real party; everyone had a great time, and our visitors were reluctant to leave.
It seems our children and staff made a remarkable impression! We’re sharing some of their comments so that you can gain their outsiders’ perspective of Angel House (translated from the original Haitian Creole):
“Your babies are very cute and clean! You guys are doing a great job with them.”
“Your kids have plenty of information! How do they know the names of all the soccer players?"
“Leilah has some medical issues, but we see that she is well cared for here.”
“We have not ever seen children this joyful in other orphanages.”
“That is what I am hoping for when I visit orphanages: neat and clean environment, and healthy and joyful kids. I find all this here. I am a severe person, if I compliment something, it is because it is out of the world.”
“This is the first orphanage I visited today that makes me satisfied and proud. The others caused me to feel very uncomfortable in front of my partners.”
“I went today to some orphanages where the kids are afraid of their caregivers. They were literally trembling in fear. Their faces were closed, and their eyes looked very worried at the sight of their nannies. They were waiting for the approval of their nannies for every action they should take. I am wondering how the daily life of these orphanages is. I am sad for their poor kids, that is not good. These kids are even afraid of us! While here I can see the bond between these kids and their nannies. They are not hesitant to talk to visitors; these kids are mentally healthy. I can see the love and admiration they have for their surroundings. It is a proof that they are well treated here. I congratulate Rose (our Crèche Director) and these beautiful ladies for their work with these children.”
While we hope and pray that the children in other orphanages will receive the same level of love, nurture, and care that our children do and that the awareness of this possibility will inspire a higher level of expectation from those in a position to facilitate change, we are thrilled for the affirmation that these authorities recognize how healthy and well adjusted the Angel House kids are. And that is thanks to their sponsors! Without our sponsors’ love and support, we could not do what we do. We could not provide the high level of nurture that makes these little ones feel loved, secure, strong, and healthy. Because of people just like you, these kiddos will grow to be healthy adults, inside and out, capable of passing on that good health to their community and, one day, little ones of their own.
And that is EVERYTHING.
If you would like to be a part of Angel House Orphanage, think about becoming an Orphan Care Sponsor—we’d love for you to be on our team! Learn more by selecting the button below.