THE CRISIS IN HAITI
Haiti faces a severe orphan crisis intensified by political instability, which has stunted the country’s economic and social progress. Nearly a million Haitian orphans suffer as a result, their families and communities unable to provide the most basic necessities after losing their parents.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, grapples with staggering poverty levels. More than 6 million Haitians live below the poverty line, surviving on less than $2.00 per day, while over 2.5 million fall into extreme poverty, managing on just $1 daily.
Imagine being a small child unsure of your next meal or where you’ll lay your head each night. With no memory of your mother’s face, you’re struggling to survive and escape the dangers posed by gangs. This is the difficult reality that orphaned children in Haiti experience every single day.
Without us, these orphaned children would remain on the streets. We provide a safe, loving home, house parents, beds to sleep in, nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and discipleship.
ENTER MAX EMILE
At 17 years old, Max, orphaned himself, found a new home and family at HandUp Global Goods through their Teens in Transition Program. There, he apprenticed as an artisan, learning the craft of jewelry making and earning his own income. Alongside mastering his trade, Max participated in their discipleship program, which sparked a deep desire within him to pursue pastoral work.
As Max settled into his role as an artisan, he couldn’t ignore the heartbreaking sight of destitute children on the streets, hungry and in need. Moved with compassion, he started using his modest earnings to provide food for these orphaned children. Gradually, his act of kindness grew into a regular commitment, where he not only fed them but also cared for them, becoming a dependable figure they fondly called “Papa Max”.
FROM ORPHAN TO “PAPA”
Since 2019, our support has enabled Max to provide a safe, loving home, house parents, beds to sleep in, nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and discipleship for twelve boys ages 6-14. These children, orphaned due to violence or poverty, previously survived in abandoned cars and desolate graveyards. Thanks to Max’s efforts, they now thrive in a secure and nurturing environment.
Additionally, our house parents’ mentor the boys, teaching them responsibility and fostering a family atmosphere crucial to their well-being. Education and life skills are seen as their best chance to break free from the cycle of poverty. Prior to September 2019, none of the boys had attended school. Max dedicated months to securing legal documentation for each child, enabling them to enroll in school. They embarked on their educational journey starting in September 2019.
Our Program:
HEAL. EQUIP. GO.
- Heal the Broken: We have precious children who have been through horrific experiences. May we be the hands and feet of Jesus healing their hearts. – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
- Equip with life skills and education: Many of the children in our care had never attended school before. We are now providing them with an opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive and giving them a safe place to dream about their future. – “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
- Go out into their communities prepared to make a difference: We can help to prevent cycles of poverty and fatherlessness by training these young men to be independent, responsible leaders of their future communities and future families. – “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)