The power of your long-term investment is in the graduating class of 2017.

The graduating class of 2017

When we took the first child into our home 18 years ago, it was a long-term commitment. Since then, many children now call Danita’s Children “home” and several have started to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

In August, we had a special high school graduation ceremony for the class of 2017. Our hearts were full of gratitude as we have had the privilege of watching them grow up since they were toddlers. We have a phrase here at Danita’s Children that we share often, “An orphanage is not God’s plan for the family, but it is His grace.”

All of the students who graduated faced extreme hardships early in life; hardships that would have made quitting the easy choice. From natural disasters, sickness, loss and abandonment, each has their own difficult story, but it is also a story of His grace.

Celebrating the next chapter of life

You have the opportunity to invest in their lives during this season. After graduation, each student has the option of continuing their education through the higher education program. We continue to walk with them through the next phase of life to help them succeed.

Daphney Joseph joined our family in 2004. Daphney assists every summer with organizing books for the following school year as well as several events around campus. She is currently studying international relations at Quisqueya University in Port-Au-Prince.

Esai Pierre has lived at Danita’s Children for 17 years. He has a heart for music and he uses that gift to lead worship in church. He will begin university in 2018 and wants to study business and music .

Etlin Charles graduated first in the class of 2017. He has always dreamed of being a doctor. He recently began the 7-year medical program at Quisqueya University.

The girls of graduating class 2017

Junette Pierre has been a part of our family since she was nine. She is a gifted speaker and is studying law at Quisqueya University.

Ilio Vilma came to Danita’s Children in 2001. He will begin university in 2018 and wants to study agriculture.

Katiana Denis joined our family in 2010. She is excellent at both French and English. Her dream is to be a diplomat and she is studying international relations at Quisqueya University.

Nehemie Donatien came to live with us in 2004 after the floods of Gonaives. She is currently enrolled at Quisqueya University and studying business management.

The boys of graduating class 2017

Rodelinx Louis has lived at Danita’s Children since 2000. He’s known for his sense of humor and work ethic. He is studying law at Quisqueya University.

Shandely Adrien was the class President and the captain of the soccer team. He is studying agriculture at Quisqueya University with dreams of building a farming business.

Thaina Joseph has lived at Danita’s Children since 2004. She dreams of being a dentist. She is currently in the 4-year dentistry program at UNIFA in Port-Au-Prince.

Our older graduates are also seeking degrees at various universities in Haiti and the United States.

Fredelin Germain attends Austin Community College in Texas and is studying business.
Fritzner Joseph attends Woodland Community College in California and is studying political science.
Luckenson Toussaint attends College of the Ozarks in Missouri and is studying agribusiness.
Loudrige Pierre attends Eastern Florida State College and is studying business.
Francia Dervilus is studying international relations at Oral Roberts University.
Robenson Talabert is studying political science at UNIFA in Port-Au-Prince.

If you would like to be a part of their story, you can do so by helping them complete their education. The cost of tuition is $2,500 per year to send one of our children to study in Port-Au-Prince. Their lives will be transformed, and yours will be blessed, too!

By Danita Estrella-Watts February 10, 2026
Dear Friend, In spite of the adversity, God has been faithful. We'd love to invite you to hear a personal message from our Founder, Danita, as she shares her heart for this Christmas season. One theme we have seen over the 27 years of this ministry is the incredible faithfulness of God. This couldn't be possible without the hands and feet of Jesus, who are our partners in ministry. Isn't it amazing that God wants to work through you and me?! We are still here in Haiti, faithfully serving and committed to the call of Christ. He is FAITHFUL!
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 9, 2026
Born to parents with few earthly possessions. Humble. Unnoticed. Passed by.
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 8, 2026
Dear Friends & Family, It is with heavy hearts, yet with the peace that comes from knowing God’s promises, that we share the passing of Rodelinx, one of our beloved sons in Haiti. On Sunday morning at 10:20 am, October 19, surrounded by love, he peacefully transitioned to his eternal home in Heaven. Rodelinx joined our family in 2000 after his mother passed away. He was five years old, and ever since that day, he has been a blessing and joy to our family. His beloved wife, Thaina, joined our family in 2004, and they became best friends starting in 3rd grade. Many years later, they fell in love and on June 28 of this year, they had a beautiful wedding in our church. It was a memory we all cherish. We will never forget the covenant they made in front of the Lord - to love each other in sickness and in health. We had no idea that day what the next few months would hold… One month after their wedding, Rodelinx was admitted to the ICU in the Dominican Republic. Over those next few weeks, we found out the shocking news that he had advanced liver cancer that had metastasized to his lungs. It was too advanced to do treatment, and we started the process of palliative and hospice care. His desire was to be back in Haiti with his DC family, so we returned to Haiti. The doctors told us at the end of August he might only have a few days to live, but the Lord gave us 7 more weeks with him. Our staff and family were able to visit him, and we had many conversations with him about eternity. He had a peace that passed all understanding, and we will never forget how he honored the Lord those 3 months as his health rapidly declined. Last week, we honored him at his memorial service. Many of our children shared stories and ways Rodelinx impacted their lives, including Thaina. We humbly ask for your prayers—for comfort, strength, and endurance for our family in Haiti. Our hearts are broken, but we grieve with hope knowing we will see him soon. Please also lift up his wife, Thaina, in prayer as she faces this profound loss and leans on God for comfort and hope. Thank you for your continued prayers and love during this time. With gratitude and faith, Danita and Karris
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 7, 2026
Hi Friend, In Haiti, hope often feels distant! At Danita’s Children, there is a community being transformed by love, faith, and action. Through the grace of God, DC has been a beacon of light to the children, families, and individuals who need it most. We are honored to serve the people of Haiti.
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 6, 2026
Hi Friend,  I want to share with you the cry of my heart... Almost 27 years ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and followed God’s plan for my life, which led me to Haiti. I knew then that this was not a short-term mission; the children of Haiti would be my lifelong calling. In the early years, life was extremely difficult. We often had no electricity or running water, staffing was limited, and the number of children in need was overwhelming. I questioned my calling and wondered if this was truly God’s plan or merely my own desire to serve.
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 5, 2026
Hi Friend, When I walked into the room on graduation day and saw our students in their caps and gowns, tears filled my eyes. Not from sadness, but from joy and gratitude. For a few of these 19 graduates, I couldn’t help but remember them much younger, wearing their first caps and gowns at their graduation from kindergarten, faces beaming with wide smiles. Now, years later, as I watch them enter the next chapter of their lives, I am reminded again of the importance of investing in the next generation. 
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 4, 2026
Stories of Strength: Healing After Burn Trauma Three months ago, a toddler in a nearby village tragically fell into a boiling pot of water (commonly used for cooking and other household tasks here in Haiti). Knowing most clinics aren’t equipped to treat severe burns, the mother quickly rushed her by taxi to Danita’s Children Medical Center. Meet Andjela and her two-year-old daughter.
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 3, 2026
Hope Restored After a Year-Long Battle After dealing with an undiagnosed lung infection for a year that was impacting her ability to eat, sleep, and walk, Taïma’s mother, Magdaline, became desperate for help. Only a 4-minute taxi drive from a nearby village to Danita’s Children Medical Center, she arrived at our hospital in July as a last attempt to help her child. In more developed countries like the United States, widespread access to proper diagnostic tools and over the counter treatments help prevent many common infections from turning serious. However, when quality medical care is not available, even the smallest and most common infections can become life-threatening, which is what happened to Taïma. Thankfully, our medical team was able to provide the treatment she needed and we’re happy to report Taïma is a different child today! She’s reunited with her siblings and her health has been restored. Most importantly, Magdaline and Taïma experienced the love and comfort of Christ through the care you helped provide.
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 2, 2026
Because of your support, we have raised $23,000 towards our Special Needs Home fundraising goal. We still need $48,500 for 2025!
By Danita Estrella-Watts February 10, 2026
Divine Interruptions Dear Danita's, This summer, our team has been reflecting on moments when God showed up in unexpected ways—times when His presence broke through difficult circumstances. We’ve come to call these moments Divine Interruptions. If you’ve walked with Jesus for any length of time, I’m sure you have your own stories—times when Heaven touched earth in the middle of chaos. One such moment takes me back to 2004, a year forever etched in my memory. At the time, Haiti was in the grip of political unrest. Armed rebels were sweeping through the country, targeting government officials and business leaders. Fear hung heavy in the air as village after village fell under their control.The U.S. embassy began sending me urgent messages—leave the country. But how could I? I couldn’t abandon my children and our dedicated staff. I cried out to God for wisdom: Lord, what should I do? Late one night, after much prayer and wrestling, God answered—in a dream. That doesn’t happen to me often, but when it does, I know to listen. In the dream, I saw floodwaters rushing across Haiti, destroying everything in their path. But when the waters approached our children’s home, they parted and flowed around our land, never touching us. I woke up with peace. God had spoken. I was to stay. Days later, we received word that the rebels were nearing our village. I watched as they entered our town breaking down doors, searching for people and weapons. I told the children to stay low, and most of our staff had already gone home to be with their families. My heart pounded as the rebels turned toward our neighbor's home and they saw me looking through a window. They began to shout, "Americans, Americans!" - but then something unexpected happened. Voices began to rise from the village—pleading, shouting: “That’s Mami Danita! They help our children! They care for our people!” The villagers stood in our defense. Later that evening, one of the rebels approached our front gate and spoke with one of our workers and said, “We heard there’s an orphanage here, and a woman named Mami Danita takes care of the children. Please tell her—if she needs anything, we will help.” When I heard this, I sent back a simple message: “Tell them we need food.” We relied on daily fresh supplies from the Dominican Republic, but the border was closed. The following day, the rebels returned with a wheelbarrow full of food. They had gone to the closed border of the Dominican Republic, lined with armed guards, and somehow managed to work with our Dominican staff to pass food over the locked gate. Bread, peanut butter, powdered milk—all of it thrown over the fence into waiting arms. They brought it back and fed our children. Not one of us was harmed. We could have despaired, we could have fled. But instead, we looked to the God of miracles—and He did what only He can do. To this day, we are grateful for your continued prayers and generous support. If you’re facing your own storm right now, may this testimony encourage you: God is still in the business of divine interruptions. He is faithful. He is near. We appreciate you more than words can say. 
Show More