Preparing For Our Children

Kervons showing off some soccer skills

Frankie showing off the stitched together ball

There is a lot of exciting news to share with all of you this week! I was successfully able to rent a house in Port-au-Prince! Located in the area of Delmas, the house is divided into 2 floors. The upstairs will be reserved for the on-site staff including the Director of Children. The down stairs will house 10 orphans and street children and also includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, bathrooms, and H.E.R.O. office. Children will begin living in the house the weekend of October 22nd.

I want to provide a deeper explanation of the purpose of our residence in Delmas. The reality is that there are currently thousands of street children and orphans in Haiti that do not live in conditions that are safe, secure, sanitary, or sufficient. As we make preparations to open our Residence for Street Children and Orphans in the province of Nippes, we must take steps to begin the process of properly documenting the children that will be in our care, provide appropriate medical services, and prepare the children for living in a structured and stable environment. As a result, the residence in Delmas is designed to provide many important services to our children prior to their arrival in Nippes. Furthermore, we will be able to provide housing, education, and rehabilitation for 10 children, a starting point in our efforts to serve as many street children and orphans in the most effective manner possible. As we transition our children from Delmas to Nippes, the residence in Delmas will take on additional roles. It will house volunteer groups, be our Port-au-Prince office, serve as our intake center for new orphans and children, and also act as a transition home for our older youth entering the workforce. We are working diligently to prepare this residence to be fully operational.

Unfortunately, last Friday Haiti suffered some more when an unexpected storm came through with gale force winds and massive rain. Five people were killed, more injured, and there was extensive damage to the tent and tarp cities that exist. Not nearly as devastating, two large trees fell in our new property on Delmas. We spent Saturday using machetes to clear the debris. I was also saddened to find out that at SOPUDEP, a school that was damaged by the earthquake but still usable, had the entire roof blown off. Rea Dol visited us at Delmas to break the news that the reopening of SOPUDEP School would be delayed for several weeks due to the numerous repairs that now have to be made. In Rea’s words, “There are still more problems in Haiti.”

H.E.R.O. is nearly half way to our goal of raising $100,000 in 100 days. I hope that you will join us to serve the country and people of Haiti. Even 25 dollars can make a tremendous impact in our efforts to aid the most disenfranchised youth in Haiti. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and contributions to H.E.R.O. In Haiti.

Sincerely,

Steven Kirby

Bris and I clearing the debris

Relieving stress with a game of hoops.