Meet the Staff of Danita's Children

The work of Danita's Children, Hope for Haiti Children's Center is accomplished by a team effort.

In the field in Haiti, a team of seven full-time missionaries, some mid-term and short-term missionaries, and a 70-member staff comprised of Haitians, Dominicans, and other nationals keep the programs and homes running efficiently.

In the U.S. Offices in Orlando, Florida, our office manager/bookkeeper and 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 Missionaries in Haiti

Danita Estrella Founder and CEO of Danita’s Children/Hope for Haiti Children’s Center, Danita lives full-time in Haiti. “With little more than a few suitcases and a willing heart, in 1999 I set out to pursue an audacious 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 audacious dream of taking care of orphaned children in Haiti became a reality.” danita@danitaschildren.org

 

Karris Hudson is a full-time missionary 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 also nearly completed her college education doing distance learning classes from Haiti, and will graduate soon. 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@danistaschildren.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.' (Never thought it would actually happen; it was just a dream of mine). When I was 12 I lost my father, and ever since then, even as a little girl, my heart broke for children who had lost parents. While I was in college, I loved working with children and with the homeless, but I didn't know exactly what I was going to be doing. Then in April of 2008, I went on a 4-day trip to Haiti with my 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. I got connected with Danita’s Children and moved here right after I finished school. I feel like the luckiest person in the world that I get to be here. I always tell Danita that I would stay even if all she let me do was mop her floors I’ve always loved the Lord, but my time here in Haiti has drawn me much closer to Him. I’ve seen what is really important and what really matters in life. I want what I do with my life to matter to God.”   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. 

Mike and Annie Wiseman-Floyd are full-time missionaries at the Hope for Haiti Children’s School for Danita’s Children in Haiti. The Wiseman-Floyd's and their children joined our team in 2009. Mike and Annie assure that all aspects of education and administration for the school runs effectively. They are both extremely talented and use their education, leadership, expertise and love for children as a bold expression of Christ’s love. annie@danitaschildren.org; mike@danitaschildren.org

 

Adalberto Nouelsosa “Bertico” is a full-time staff member with Danita’s Children. Bertico is the facilities manager for Danita’s Children in Haiti. He has been at the Hope for Haiti Children's Center for several years. You can find Bertico helping in a variety of ways—with technology issues, construction, driving, caring for children, and handling all sorts of important tasks that make the compound run smoothly and safely.  

 

 

 

 

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. Roxi 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

 

Additional Staff

In Haiti, a wonderful staff of more than 70 Haitians, Dominicans and other nationals keep the programs such as the church, school, feeding program, orphan-care homes and special projects running efficiently. Many fill the roles of teachers, facility managers, mami's, drivers, cooks and more.

In the United States, 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, assisting in administrative tasks and coordinating events and mission teams.