I think a lot about my experience in Haiti at God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage. I left my heart with those beautiful children. I think about them everyday and how all they want is the chance to be loved and to live with their “forever families”.
I can still see the depth in their eyes watching me as I would go into the nursery, wondering if their turn had come to go to the balcony to be cuddled, or have a special hour of playtime. I can feel their little hands surrounding my body as they try to get my attention.
I can still smell the powder and lotion that the nannies so lovingly put on the children’s skin for protection from becoming dry from the hot weather the Haitians experience each day.
I think about the struggles the staff has providing the everyday needs, not only for the children but also transportation available for appointments, airport runs and errands. To keep the generators operational for refrigeration and incubators in the intensive care area is so very important. It is overwhelming the amount of money it takes to keep these children in a healthy and safe environment.
The rent for the baby and toddler houses amounts to $41,000 a year. Food is $30,000 a month. Each child in the baby house uses an average of 5-6 diapers a day. The funding for the orphanage is strictly through donations and fund raising.
GLA has purchased land and have begun building a facility to house all the children under one roof. They build when they have money for the project. Right now they are out of money for this very important need, so the construction is at a stand still. The new facility will eliminate the rental fees which would free up $41,000 for the many necessities needed in other areas.
I hope I have made a difference in these children’s lives. They certainly made a difference in mine. Learn more about God’s Littlest Angels by googling GLA-Haiti. The journey is up to you.
