Only 5% of the approximately 400,000 disabled children and young adults in Haiti are enrolled in educational or therapy programs. HaitiChildren’s skilled staff works hard to nurse the children they help back to health by providing food, shelter, education and, most importantly, a loving environment that builds character and integrity.

HaitiChildren, founded in 1994 as Mercy & Sharing, believes the solutions to Haiti’s social, political, and economic problems already exist within its children. And so they equip them with the tools and skills they need to become productive, responsible citizens.

The organization continues to grow steadily and now serves more than 5000 people. They have created jobs for Haitians for 17 years, contributing over $16 million to the Haitian economy. They employ over 210 Haitian nationals in jobs serving as teachers, doctors, nurses, therapists, “mothers” (continuous child care), building engineers, accountants, cooks, and cleaning staff.

HaitiChildren employed over 200 additional Haitians during the construction of over $1.5 million in buildings and infrastructure and another 50 Haitians to assist in removing rubble and making repairs following the 2010 earthquake. In a nation where unemployment reaches 80% in some areas, Mercy & Sharing employees are able to care for their families and have a vision for the future. It’s a vision that begins with the kids, and that’s why they need your help to keep these children’s dreams alive and well.

Located in the Cazeau region of Port-au-Prince near the airport, the John Branchizio School was recently recognized as one of the top five schools in its region. 513 students are enrolled in primary and secondary education, which includes a hot meal every day. Science, math, geography, history, languages, and life skills form a rigorous curriculum that challenges the students from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm each day. 98% of the children at John Branchizio passed the State Exam (compared to the national average of 40%).

Village at Williamson

Mercy & Sharing Village at Williamson is a 17-acre tract of land owned by HaitiChildren and located approximately 40 miles northwest of Port-au-Prince.

The campus includes three residential care buildings (housing 115 orphans), two school buildings, a chapel building with office space, a generator building, a guard tower, a security gate set in perimeter security walls, and two water wells. A 10,000-gallon-per-day water filtration system is open to the community daily.

Additions made in 2011 to the Williamson campus include the Rehabilitation and Therapy Center and the Technical and Trade School. The Rehabilitation and Therapy Center enables disabled children and young adults from the orphanage to have the best physical, occupational, and speech therapy available. The Technical and Trade School provides vocational training for young adults in sewing, agriculture, auto mechanics, small business management, and computer science. This vocational training specifically targets skills needed to find employment in Haiti.

C.I.T.E. School

C.I.T.E. School is a lighthouse of hope and opportunity shining in the slums of Port-au-Prince.The school prepares children to be productive citizens by providing education and a nutritious meal every day. Currently, 187 students attend, in grades 1-7. The school recently moved to a new location to provide more space and a better learning environment. New programs at C.I.T.E School include evening adult literacy classes and children’s dance and basketball classes.

Feeding programmes

HaitiChildren operates a daily feeding program in two very poor communities in the northern Haiti region of Cap-Hatien. Children, elderly, and disabled residents of Paulette and Phaeton gather daily at noon for a hot meal consisting of vegetables, dry fish, corn, rice, and beans. The cooks serve over 1000 people each day who have traveled on foot from 10 local districts. Limited access by ID cards ensures food is given to those most in need.