Meet the Team at Danita's Children
The work of Danita's Children is accomplished by a team effort.
In the field in Haiti, a team of eight full-time missionaries, some mid-term and short-term missionaries, and a 80-member staff comprised of Haitians, Dominicans, and other nationals keep the programs and homes running efficiently.
In the U.S. Offices, our U.S. Director, Office Manager/Bookkeeper, support staff and team of volunteers keep the operations running smoothly.
Those of us who work for Danita's Children feel very blessed and privileged to serve with this organization. If you'd like more information about our staff or joining our team stateside or in the field, please contact us.
Our Team in Haiti
Danita Estrella is the Founder and CEO of Danita’s Children and lives full-time in Haiti. “With little more than a few suitcases and a willing heart, in 1999 I set out to pursue a dream. I knew what God had put in my heart. I wasn’t quite sure how it would, or could, all come together. Many of my friends and family were supportive. But there were a few who told me it was impossible for a young American woman, all alone to make that dream a reality. However, I knew in my heart that “everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) And so I started. With 14 orphans and a rented house, my dream of taking care of orphaned children in Haiti became a reality.” danita@danitaschildren.org
Karris Hudson is a full-time missionary and Field Director for Danita’s Children. She lives in Haiti and visited Hope for Haiti Children’s Center for the first time in 2002 at age 21. Now, years later, she has become a vital part of the ministry at Danita’s Children, handling administration responsibilities on the field, as well as being “Mami Karris” to many children. On top of these responsibilities, Karris sits on the Board of Directors for Danita’s Children as Vice President. She has recently completed her college education doing distance learning classes from Haiti. Karris’ wisdom and fortitude are that of a woman twice her age, and her love for Haiti and its children is contagious, both in passion and action. karris@danitaschildren.org
Brenda Sapp is a full-time missionary for Danita’s Children. Through a mutual friend, Brenda knew about Danita’s work in Haiti, and contacted the stateside office to inquire about volunteering. She began to work as a regular volunteer, then became a part-time staff member, then full-time. After working full-time for a year and a half, Danita invited Brenda to come visit Haiti. From the first time she stepped foot in the country, Brenda knew that this was home. One year later, she moved to Haiti, and began her ministry of loving and caring for children. Now, years later, Brenda lives full-time in Haiti and is house mom to our many girls, managing the girls' home. She also provides operational oversight to the Haitian staff and teams in Haiti. She is very organized, very tender and compassionate toward the children and others, and considers herself fortunate to live in Haiti. “I love it,” she says. “It is such an honor and privilege to help these precious ones grow up.” brenda@danitaschildren.org
Brittany Hilker is a full-time missionary in Haiti. “It started when I was a little girl. I used to say, 'All I wanted to be in life was a mom at an orphanage.'" Brittany lost her father when she was twelve. She has an deep empathy for children who have lost their parents. In April of 2008, she went on a 4-day trip to Haiti with her cousin who was adopting from an orphanage. "I fell in love with Haiti. I was never the same person after that trip. I went back every chance I could while finishing school. It didn't feel right to be back in the States, and I begged God to send me back." And
He did. Brittany connected with Danita’s Children and moved to Haiti right after finishing school. Brittany recently started Danita's Children's Baby Rescue Program where she has partnered with an American doctor to create a sustainable living nutrition program for extremely malnourished babies in our village. brittany@danitaschildren.org
Pastor Sam is the lead pastor at our church in Haiti. He provides oversight to the pastoral staff and brings his preaching and spiritual guidance to the people of Ouanaminthe. He is greatly respected and loved for his compassion for the people of Haiti, his heart for the children and for his strong sense of spiritual leadership. He is a man of prayer and you will often find him visiting the members of the church in the village and praying for those in need. pastorsam@danitaschildren.org
Hope Dodson is a full-time missionary at Danita's Children. With a background in Journalism & Public Relations, Hope joined our team in 2011 as a Project Coordinator for our state-side office after a short visit to Haiti. In early December 2011 she moved full-time to Haiti to direct our Won By One child sponsorship program, and we are excited for the enthusiasm and organization that Hope will bring to this area of our ministry. For any questions regarding Won By One or your sponsored child, Hope can be reached at: hope@danitaschildren.org.
Bill Waterman joined our team full-time in November 2011. He learned about Danita’s Children while he was volunteering in Port-Au-Prince after the January 2010 earthquake. He is now full-time in Haiti to assist with logistics and hosting mission teams who travel to Haiti through our Hope Works program. We are excited to have Bill’s willing attitude on our team and are grateful for his desire to serve. billw@danitaschildren.org
Our Stateside Team
Roxi Sawyer is our office manager and bookkeeper at Danita's Children and joined our team in March of 2008. She assures that all aspects of administration in the stateside offices run smoothly. She is a certified bookkeeper with more than 21 years of experience in the non-profit sector and brings quality leadership to our volunteers and administrative staff stateside. R oxi has a big heart for the underprivileged and always has a smile and a positive outlook to share with our staff, volunteers and supporters. Roxi and her husband Ken live in Orlando, Florida. roxi@danitaschildren.org
Sheree Cannon Bowie joined the Danita's Children's team as the United States Director in January of 2008. Sheree provides executive oversight to operations and development for Danita's Children and operates out of her stateside office. “I feel privileged to be part of the Danita’s Children family and team. I'm very honored to work with our donors and supporters and am humbled at the generosity, heart and compassion they bring to the children of Haiti.” sheree@danitaschildren.org
Additional Staff
In Haiti a wonderful staff of more than 80 Haitians, Dominicans and other nationals keep the programs such as the church, school, feeding program, child-care homes, medical care and special projects running efficiently. Many fill the roles of teachers, facility managers, mami's, drivers, cooks and more. In addition many, many short-term mission-team volunteers have been an important part of helping us carry out our work in Haiti.
In the United States and Canada a strong team of volunteers and part-time support staff keep the offices and operations for Danita's Children running smoothly. Volunteers assist in everything from mailings, helping with special projects, fund-raising, assisting in administrative tasks and coordinating events and mission teams.