DANITA ESTRELLA WATTS

BIOGRAPHY AND MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Danita Estrella Watts was born with an innate heart for service, shaped profoundly by her early life experiences. Growing up, she faced significant hardship when her father passed away at the age of 11, leaving her mother to raise Danita and her siblings single-handedly. This challenging upbringing instilled in her a deep empathy for orphaned children and single parents struggling against overwhelming odds, fostering a lifelong commitment to compassion and support for the vulnerable. As she matured, Danita pursued a path guided by her faith, working in various roles that honed her sense of purpose, but it was a divine calling that ultimately redirected her life toward global impact.

In 1999, at the age of 34, single and childless, Danita made the bold decision to relocate to Haiti, arriving with little more than her unwavering faith and a profound sense of mission to care for those in need. Initially, she began her work humbly on the streets of Ouanaminthe, feeding hungry children and offering immediate aid to the impoverished. That same year, she founded Danita’s Children, starting as a small initiative focused on rescue and basic care. Over time, through perseverance and community partnerships, it evolved into a comprehensive ministry dedicated to rescuing, educating, and nurturing orphaned and destitute children. The organization addresses their holistic needs—physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual—providing a safe haven where they can heal, grow, and thrive.

Over the past 26 years, Danita’s Children has expanded dramatically, becoming a beacon of hope in Northeast Haiti. The ministry has delivered life-saving medical care through its dedicated medical center, including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that has saved nearly 300 fragile infant lives since its opening. Children receive quality education infused with biblical foundations, equipping them with academic skills, vocational training, and extracurricular activities to break the cycles of poverty. Nutritious meals are provided daily to combat malnutrition, while discipleship programs instill values of faith, leadership, and self-worth, empowering the next generation to become transformative leaders in their communities and beyond. Danita’s vision has always emphasized not just survival, but flourishing—teaching children to discover their God-given potential and to live as disciples who can positively influence Haiti’s future.

Danita’s work extends far beyond orphan care, encompassing vital community outreach efforts that serve the broader population amid Haiti’s persistent challenges, such as extreme poverty, political instability, and devastating natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. These initiatives include holistic family support programs that strengthen households and prevent child abandonment. By integrating medical, educational, and spiritual resources, the ministry has touched thousands of lives, fostering resilience and restoration in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

On a personal note, Danita is married to John Watts, and together they embody a family-oriented leadership style. She approaches her role as a mother figure to the children in her care with deep intentionality, ensuring they are raised in an environment where they feel profoundly loved, secure, and rooted in Christ’s teachings. Her own journey—from personal loss to global ministry—serves as a testament to the power of obedience to one’s calling, inspiring those around her to embrace faith-driven action in the face of adversity.