Danita's Children

A Message from Danita

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:33:07 GMT

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!

The Story That Makes Hope Possible

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:28:01 GMT

In Loving Memory of Rodelinx Louis

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:38:30 GMT

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

A Lifeline for Haiti

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:20:23 GMT

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.

Now more than ever, we invite you to join us in this mission of faith and compassion.

At the center of our work in Haiti, we operate a special needs children’s home housing 12 children, a hospital serving 8,000 a year, a school serving 350 students a year, and a church that reaches out to the community every Sunday. But these are not just buildings—they are sanctuaries of healing, growth, and spiritual renewal.

Here, children receive not only shelter but also love and care, giving them hope for a future filled with opportunity. The hospital offers essential medical services to a community that would otherwise be deprived of critical healthcare. Our school provides a biblically based education, empowering the next generation to break free from the cycles of poverty and serve the Lord. And our church serves as a spiritual home, providing guidance, comfort, and community.

However, as we continue to deepen our impact and the demand increases across the board, there is an urgent need to support the ongoing needs that make all of this possible.

Why We Need Your Help

While the vision and the work are strong, the financial support needed to keep these critical sanctuaries running is substantial.

The children’s home requires ongoing care—housing, feeding, and nurturing young lives.
Our hospital needs medical supplies, equipment, and staff to continue saving lives.
The school needs resources to offer quality education and keep the doors open for children who might otherwise have no access to learning.
The church needs your support to keep its doors open, offering spiritual nourishment to our community.

Right now, we need your help to meet that need . Your donation will go directly into the operational funds that sustain every aspect of this ministry.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Every dollar you contribute ensures that this mission continues to thrive and transform lives. You are not just donating money—you are offering hope, restoring dignity, and sharing in God’s work of love and service.

We know that times are challenging, but we believe that when we come together in faith and generosity, we can transform lives together. Your donation will help us continue to be a place of refuge, a source of healing, and a catalyst for change in Haiti. Our greatest need at this time is $240,000 for our programs . No gift is too small, and every contribution counts toward making a lasting impact.

Let us remember the words of Christ: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40 NIV)

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to serve the people of Haiti with love, compassion, and faith. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

For the Children,

A Lifelong Calling

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:13:45 GMT

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.

I wept as I pondered His words. We were already caring for many children, yet I soon understood that this was just the beginning of my assignment. There was much more to do, much more to build, including the vision of a children’s hospital.

Over the years, God has blessed this mission with incredible missionaries, doctors, teachers, and leaders who share this vision. The work is joyful, yet at times, the scale of suffering can feel overwhelming.

I want to thank you for partnering with us.

Today, we continue to lift up Sterline, who recently lost her eyesight, and Rodelinx, who desperately needs your prayers for healing. Both of them grew up in our children's home and need a miracle.

Would you please prayerfully consider partnering with us so we can continue this vital work?

Hope Filled Beginnings for Our Graduates

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:04:26 GMT

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.

Education in Haiti is no small feat. Our students must master 15 or more subjects before graduation, a challenge they met with daily perseverance. During the ceremony, the graduating class passed a candle to the upcoming seniors, symbolic of passing the baton of leadership.

I shared words of encouragement from Isaiah 40:31:

I reminded them that, just like eagles use the winds of a storm to rise above it, they too can lean on their faith in Jesus to soar through life’s challenges with peace and strength.

What a privilege it has been to walk alongside these graduates, to watch them grow, work hard, and now celebrate this milestone. None of it would be possible without God’s provision through partners like you. Thank you for your support as we gave them the wings to fly.

With gratitude,

Karris

A Life Changed

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:54:30 GMT

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.

Being only 18 years old, a single mom, and with little support from family, Andjela has overcome tremendous obstacles to meet the needs of her daughter since she was born. She is a caring, attentive, and loving mother.

On July 31, Andjela traveled with her daughter by ambulance to a hospital three hours away for a skin graft. Praise God, the procedure was successful! After three weeks of recovery, she returned to us for a short stay before being fully discharged. Seeing her now, standing tall and smiling, you would never imagine the pain she endured just three months ago.

We are grateful to God that your generosity allows our medical team to stay prepared and equipped for severe cases like this and many others. The trauma and damage from this event would have been much worse had they not had access to the care they’ve been receiving!

Beyond bringing comfort and relief to this girl, our passionate team of nurses and hospital staff has been able to share the love of Christ daily with this family.

We are praying that the love they have experienced will lead to saving knowledge of Jesus and generational change.

Will you pray with us for continued healing for this little girl and salvation for their family?

Your partnership in ministry is making a difference daily and for eternity.

“Above all, love each other deeply…” 1 Peter 4:8

For the children,

Karris

Hope Restored After a Year-Long Battle

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:40:08 GMT

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.

Your continued partnership and generosity allow us to keep saying “yes” to vulnerable children in need and we wouldn’t be able to tell these stories without you.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36

All glory to God,

Team DC

Update on Our Special Needs Children's Home

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:35:36 GMT

Because of your support, we have raised $23,000 towards our Special Needs Home fundraising goal.

We still need $48,500 for 2025!

A few weeks ago we wrote to you asking for partnership to fund one of our greatest needs right now - the Special Needs Home. As the critical situation in Haiti intensifies, we are committed to meeting the needs of the children we serve, no matter what.

Our Special Needs Home provides a safe home for 12 children. They are cared for by house parents, given nutritious meals, medical assistance and encouraged to learn and grow in a Christian environment.

Would you prayerfully consider giving today to ensure we can continue this work for the special needs children in our care?

A Ministry Moment with Danita

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:24:44 GMT

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.

Danita Estrella-Watts

Founder/CEO

The NICU Unit: A Celebration of Life

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:36:45 GMT

Having been open for over a year now, the NICU unit at the Danita’s Children Medical Center has treated and saved close to 300 lives!

Our NICU is the only unit within two hours and allows us to provide hope to the most vulnerable in our city of 150,000.

Life change always waits on the other side of obedience, and we continue to celebrate God’s faithfulness to the babies and families we’re able to care for in this space.

Can you imagine the good plans God has for the babies who receive life-changing care in our NICU?

Their outcomes would have looked far different if not for God’s grace and redemptive power working through the hundreds of individuals who made this dream possible. From our first breath until our last, our stories are woven together by the grace and mercy of God and we can trust He sees a much more beautiful and bigger picture than we do.

Another Life Saved

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:46:22 GMT

Have you ever been desperate for help for someone you love and unsure of if you’d get that help? As a parent or guardian, there’s no worse feeling.

When Auduce made it to our clinic last month with her baby, he was unresponsive and exhibiting signs of severe hypothermia. Multi-organ dysfunction and malnutrition were causing his body to shut down.

While many medical clinics in Haiti require payment upfront (which most people can’t afford), our faithful donors allow us to say to treat before there’s payment. This approach saves lives daily, and this month, one of those lives was Cardoson, Auduce’s baby.

Our team was able to act quickly and begin life-saving treatment. Today we’re celebrating because we learned he was just discharged a few days ago! Can you imagine the joy and relief his mother is experiencing right now?

Being able to offer life-saving medical care to the most vulnerable in our community is a tangible demonstration of the abundant love of Christ – given unconditionally, without measure, and with nothing expected in return.

At the end of Cardoson’s medical report from our hospital director was a message for our donors, “We praise and pray to God daily for you, asking that you never grow weary and continue to support this mission. We are convinced that this ministry belongs to God. May He continue to bless you abundantly and provide for you so that you may keep supporting us!”

Equipping World-Changing Disciples

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:19:30 GMT

Equipping World-Changing Disciples: Raising the next generation of leaders in Haiti

Discipleship is a cornerstone of our ministry. We are driven by the belief that the hope of Christ can change a community. We believe changing a life means meeting physical and spiritual needs. Through our teachers, mentors and house parents we are raising children to discover their God-given purpose, and to become the future leaders

of Haiti.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

The children in our homes are currently reading through the Bible. Each day they have a devotional time, where they read and discuss a passage and pray. It is our greatest privilege to raise children who know Christ and who want to be disciples for Him. Your support is making an eternal difference in the lives and hearts of our children. We are grateful for faithful donors who partner with us to change Haiti, one child at a time.

Father's Day

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:14:51 GMT

To all the fathers, father figures, and mentors out there, Happy Father's Day!

We celebrate and recognize all the men who have the honor of being a father. Your guidance and love makes a difference and we appreciate you. We wanted to share a few of our staff members in Haiti who are wonderful fathers. Your prayers and support empower these men to excel as leaders on our campus and leaders in their home.

Jacques has faithfully worked at Danita's Children as a security guard for almost 15 years. He is a devoted father to five children and a father figure to our children in our homes. Jacques said the best part about fatherhood is seeing his kids succeed, and the unconditional love they pour into him daily.

Emmanuel has been working with us for 20 years. He works in our school as a biology teacher and he also serves

on our church worship team as the pianist. He has two beautiful daughters and loves being a father!

Marckendy is a house parent in our children's home for our teenage boys. His leadership and passion for discipleship is making a positive impact in the lives of our young men and we are so thankful for him!

Celebrating Two College Graduates

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:55:29 GMT

Celebrating Two College Graduates: Katiana Denis and Donken Andre

Katiana Denis graduated last month from College of the Ozarks in Missouri with a degree in Civil Engineering. She joined our family at Danita's Children after her father died in the earthquake in 2010. Danita found her at a hospital in Port-au-Prince being treated for her injuries. Katiana has overcome a lot in life and is an inspiration to so many. We are so proud of Katiana and all she has accomplished. We look forward to cheering her on in this next chapter of life!

Donken Andre graduated last month from Lipscomb University in Nashville with a degree in Theology and a minor in Business. He first came to live at Danita's Children after the floods of Gonaives in 2004 when he was 7 years old. We are so proud of him for his incredible accomplishments, and for following God's will for his life. We look forward to seeing God’s plans unfold in his life! Thank you to the sponsors, host families, and mentors who helped make this incredible accomplishment possible for both of them. Your commitment and generosity has shaped bright futures for our children for 25 years. We are so grateful for your partnership.

Crisis in Haiti

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:33:17 GMT

Our Most Urgent Need: Prayer

My heart is heavy as I write to you about the current situation in Haiti. I just returned from an emergency trip to Haiti where I met with my staff and children to prepare for the serious crisis ahead.

Over the next several days we are expecting a surge of roadblocks, gun violence, political protests, and even kidnappings. People in Haiti are desperate for peace and we are on our knees in prayer for God's divine intervention.

Recently, in our town there have been endless gunshots, pillage of businesses at the market and around town, and multiple buildings have been burned.

We humbly come to you asking for prayers for:

Protection, wisdom and safety for our children and staff.
Pray for the unrest to stop so that our school can resume, local businesses and banks can open and our community can return to normal.
Pray for a peaceful transition of leadership and for peace to cover Haiti.

It is our mission to care for vulnerable children and we are committed to serving them, no matter the circumstance. Because of your support, we will continue to be a beacon of hope.

Thank you for being part of the work we are doing to impact the lives of children in Haiti. Your support makes a difference.

Danita Estrella-Watts

Founder & CEO

A Place Of Miracles

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:13:23 GMT

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Danita's Children Medical Center is saving lives!

Will you partner with us?

The expansion of our NICU opened earlier this year and is already making an impact in the community we serve in Haiti. Families are able to access the specialized care their critically ill infants need to survive.

I wanted to share the story of baby Fonrose, one of the very first patients admitted into our NICU.

Baby Fonrose was born prematurely, at just 28 weeks gestation. His family rushed him to Danita's Children Medical Center after birth because he was struggling to breathe. He was admitted to our NICU weighing just 3.4 pounds. Our medical staff provided the urgent care he needed - oxygen, a blood transfusion and a feeding tube.

After a month of treatment, his condition has improved greatly. His breathing is stable, he's no longer anemic, and he's even began breastfeeding. His mother, overwhelmed with gratitude, now feels hopeful for her son's future!

Your gift has the power to change lives. You will create a lasting impact for children and their families and your support opens the door to share the Gospel with them. Will you consider donating to our Medical Center to provide the most precious gift of all — the gift of hope and healing?

Thank you for opening your heart to the children of Haiti.

Danita Estrella-Watts

Anior's Story

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:31:43 GMT

Be the Change: Transforming Lives Through Child Sponsorship in Haiti

Anior Bien-Aime joined our family at Danita’s Children in 2013. In the video below, he shares about his dreams and goals for the future, and the impact that sponsorship has had on his life. Through our child sponsorship program, you can make a direct and lasting difference in the life of a child in Haiti.

Your commitment of $35/month provides children access to education, healthcare, nutritious food and other vital resources that help them thrive. You'll receive updates and letters from your sponsored child, and you'll have the opportunity to build a meaningful relationship with them.

By sponsoring a child through Danita's Children, you're not just impacting one life — your life is impacted as well! Your support helps empower children to reach their full potential.

Join us in this mission to create a brighter future for Haiti, one child at a time.

Medical Miracle Story

jazz@danitaschildren.org (Danita Estrella-Watts) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:20:53 GMT

Rodensky was fighting for his life

When 2-year-old Rodensky's family rushed him into our emergency room, he appeared to be lifeless. His body was limp and he was struggling to breathe. Our medical staff began providing urgent care to see if they could revive him. He had been suffering from malnutrition and rapidly declined hours before. After a few grueling minutes and several attempts, our nurses were able to start an IV and began administering medicine and fluids that saved his life. He was suffering from a hypoglycemic coma.

As soon as he showed signs of life, his family and our staff were overwhelmed with joy! He was alive!

The hope, faith and quick response of his family to bring him to Danita's Children Medical Center gave Rodensky the opportunity to receive life-saving medical care.

Thank YOU for ensuring our staff and hospital is equipped to provide miracles in the form of medical care to children across Haiti. When they need it most, we are there — all because of your generosity.

Please continue to pray for Rodensky and his recovery as he is now receiving inpatient treatment in our malnutrition center.

Baby Chamaelle was fighting for her life

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 07:31:36 GMT

Baby Chamaelle was fighting for her life

When a baby is born premature in Haiti, medical care options are limited. The closest neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is more than an hour away from our campus, and public hospitals don’t have a NICU or the specialized equipment needed to help these little ones survive.

Imagine the fear one young mother felt when she went into labor at just 26 weeks. Her only option was a public hospital, but she knew her baby might not survive. Her daughter, Chamaelle, came into the world weighing only 2 pounds and struggling to breathe. The mother was immediately referred to Danita’s Children Pediatric Hospital and arrived on a motorcycle taxi clutching her
newborn baby.

In spring 2021, we asked you to help build our NICU. Many of you supported that project through your gifts and prayers. By God’s grace, we’ve completed the construction of the NICU and the 10 stations! We are beyond grateful. Now, we are shifting our focus to providing the quality care these babies deserve. Your generosity gives babies like Chamaelle a fighting chance. By adding the neonatal unit to our hospital, we can now provide the specialized care our tiniest patients need to survive.

Will you prayerfully consider helping equip our NICU with the medicine, supplies and staff needed to serve these children? The startup monthly cost is $11,500. We also need four Bubble CPAP machines at $3,000 each, so a one-time cost of $12,000. Your generosity today will save lives and give families hope tomorrow and for years to come!

Your gift will help us continue caring for babies like Chamaelle. Chamaelle stayed in our NICU for two months, where she was cared for by a loving, diligent staff. After gaining several pounds, she was discharged. While her mother arrived on our campus full of uncertainty, she left full of hope for the future. “Each day, the staff came to pray for me and my baby, and I felt God’s presence,”

she said.

Thank you in advance for giving toward this critical need and joining us as we continue to serve children in Haiti.

Andre and Dauphley

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 07:08:39 GMT

Andre and Dauphley

Thank you for supporting Danita’s Children through your continued donations this past year. Two of our young men, Andre Donken and Dauphley Dauphin, sat down for a short interview. Watch and see the full circle of impact and long-term investment you have made in the lives of children in Haiti.

These two young men, though different ages and stories, have one special thing in common: they both grew up in our children's homes at Danita’s Children. And now, they have both shared the joy and life-changing experience of leadership as they chose to become house assistants for the younger boys in our homes.

Your investment is transforming the life of a child inside and out, which we believe will transform the nation of Haiti.

Graduation 2022

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 00:58:05 GMT

Congratulations Class of 2022

We are so proud of each of the eight students for passing the official government exam and completing high school. Several of the students have been with us since kindergarten and it has been a privilege to educate these students in our school.

While we celebrate their academic achievements, our greatest desire is that they follow the Lord in every area of their lives, and use the gifts and talents He has given them to bring change to their spheres of influence.

You have helped make these accomplishments possible! On behalf of the class of 2022, thank you for your support and prayers!

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV

Andina Healing Story

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 12:08:38 GMT

Baby Andina was admitted to our hospital in June for kwashiorkor and severe anemia.

Andina’s family lives on a remote island called Tortuga, off the coast of north-west Haiti. When her mother noticed she wasn’t eating well and she was becoming very ill, she knew she had to get her to a hospital.

With very few medical resources available nearby, her only option was to take a small fishing boat to the closest city, Port Au Paix. Once she was there, a local organization connected her to Danita’s Children and Andina was airlifted to our hospital.

When Andina arrived, she was critically ill and in need of a blood transfusion. Our team worked quickly to get her stable. Slowly, she began to heal.

Since Andina and her mother had traveled so far to reach our hospital, they had no local support. Danita’s Children was able to provide food and clothing to both Andina and her mother. Our staff prayed for this family daily and made sure Andina’s mother always felt safe and supported while she waited with Andina throughout her treatment.

On the day of discharge, our staff helped coordinate travel back across the country to her home in Tortuga. It was quite a journey from a small island to Danita’s Children, over 125 km away. We are so thankful that we could provide the medical care that Andina needed to heal. God restored Andina’s health and gave hope to her family.

The surgical team recently came to do another weekend of surgeries at our hospital

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:42:26 GMT

On Friday, June 3, the team was able to operate on three children, all who needed hernia repair. One patient had two hernias and the team was able to do surgery on both at the same time.

The following day, the team was able to operate on five patients. Four of these patients had hernias and one had a cyst under his eyebrow that was removed. The team was able to provide surgeries to a total of 9 children during their time here. We were especially grateful to be able to provide care to a student who attends our school and to a staff member's child, both were able to receive the surgeries they needed.

It is always a blessing when we are able to use our medical resources, including surgeries, to help children and staff who are already serving at Danita’s Children.

Jules’ mother came to our hospital

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:33:58 GMT

Jules’ mother came to our hospital back in October 2021 when she noticed that her son may have a hernia. She was able to have a consultation with our doctor and found out that he did need to have surgery to repair the hernia.

In June 2022, after months of waiting, it was finally time for Jules to have his surgery. The morning of his surgery, Jules arrived with an IV because he had been vomiting all night. Our pediatrician evaluated him before the surgical team arrived and we found his vomiting and diarrhea was caused by the hernia, it had become strangulated, which is a medical emergency.

A strangulated hernia can potentially be life threatening as the blood supply to the herniated tissue starts to be cut off which could lead to other major problems such as perforation or death.

With urgency, our physician and medical staff acted quickly and were able to do a hernia reduction to reduce the hernia while waiting for the surgical team. Jules stayed in our ER and was monitored until the surgical team arrived.

Surgery went as planned and his complicated hernia was fixed. Jules and his mother were so relieved that the strangulated hernia was able to be reduced and also completely healed by surgery.

This is just one story about how the surgical program, alongside our DCMC staff, is saving lives. Unfortunately, this situation is common in Haiti and with lack of access to proper surgical care, children can lose their life due to a hernia.

God’s perfect timing allowed for Jules to get his strangulated hernia reduced and repaired without further problems. Thank you to our supporters for your donations and prayers that allow this surgical program to be operational and continue changing lives, just like Jules.

Meet Luckenson

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:08:36 GMT

Luckenson Toussaint, graduated from College of the Ozarks with a degree in Engineering...

This past week, one of our college students, Luckenson Toussaint, graduated from College of the Ozarks with a degree in Engineering. We are so grateful for God's provision and guidance in Luckenson's life, and we are incredibly proud of his achievement.

Luckenson came to live at Danita’s Children in 2001 when he was four years old, along with his brother, Ederson. He served as a house assistant to our younger boys before moving to Missouri to attend college. He is a great example of hard work and dedication.

During his time at College of the Ozarks, he met his wife, Emma, and they were married in 2021. They plan to move back to Haiti to serve at Danita's Children.

We are so grateful for the many people who have prayed, sponsored and supported Luckenson throughout his life and over the last four years, as he's worked towards his degree.

We are so proud of him and look forward to this next chapter of life!

All glory to God

Thu, 26 May 2022 05:50:14 GMT

Loudemia, just 11-years-old, suffered from severe complications of malnutrition...

Loudemia Orelus arrived to Danita's Children Hospital after a nurse in her community referred her to our malnutrition program. Loudemia, just 11-years-old, suffered from severe complications of malnutrition. Her face, hands, and feet were extremely swollen; she could barely open her eyes or even put on shoes. Her skin was covered in open sores and cracks. She was so lethargic when she arrived, making eye contact and speaking were difficult.

She was admitted to our inpatient malnutrition program and received medical care for two weeks. We are so grateful her condition began to improve. Her countenance started to change, she became more alert, talking and even smiling. Every day we were able to see more and more of her personality.

By the time she left she looked like a completely different child. When they were being discharged, the mother said, "I give all glory to God for saving my child's life". The transformation that takes place when a child is treated for malnutrition is incredible. We are so thankful to be able to provide the medical care children like Loudemia desperately need, and to see health and hope restored.

Pressa was born with a cleft lip

Thu, 26 May 2022 05:33:55 GMT

Our surgical team provides life-changing surgeries every day...

Pressa was born with a cleft lip and her family could not afford surgery. Being born with this medical condition impacts the entire family and makes life difficult for the child. The ability to eat, drink and speak properly are only a few ways a cleft lip changes a child’s life.

There is a huge need for surgical care in our area and across the country. The operating room at our hospital is meeting needs by providing quality surgical care to children in our area and across the country.

Like Pressa, many of these children have waited months, even years to have surgery. A Haitian surgical team works together with our hospital staff to provide these life-changing surgeries, including cleft lip and cleft palate reconstruction, hernia and burn-related surgeries.

Today, we celebrate her beautiful new smile! We are grateful for the surgical team, medical staff, and operating room for providing hope through surgical care.

Meet Andre

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 07:31:01 GMT

Meet Andre

Andre grew up at Danita's Children and he is currently living in Nashville, TN. He is studying theology and business at Lipscomb University and plans to move back to Haiti upon graduation to work as a pastor and in job development.

Andre's Intro to Business professor invited him to share his testimony with the congregation at Christ Family Church. We invite you to watch this video as Andre share's his story. We hope you'll be inspired by his love for the Lord and for others.

Children's Hospital

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 09:22:46 GMT

Children's Hospital provides life-saving care every single day...

Our Children's Hospital provides life-saving care every single day through outpatient care, inpatient treatment and surgical care. When a child needs surgery, there are very few options in Haiti. If a provider can be found to perform a surgery, most often the family will still struggle to pay for the surgery needed. A few weeks ago, our hospital hosted a Haitian surgical team to provide surgeries to children who needed them in our area. Every surgery is life changing and for four days this team worked alongside our DCMC staff to provide the best quality surgical experience to each child and family in need. Together, we performed a total of eight life-changing hernia surgeries to seven children.

Hernias can have serious, sometimes life threatening complications where the bowel is strangulated causing no blood flow to the intestines. Hernia's are painful, can cause discomfort and will continue to worsen until repaired. Each child who received hernia repair surgery was previously in pain and uncomfortable on a daily basis. As a child ages, an unrepaired hernia can be visible and even cause embarrassment, as the hernia grows larger. After surgery, there is immediate relief and the child never has to worry that the hernia will come back.

One child had an undiagnosed strangulated hernia. This is a life threatening condition and the surgeon was so thankful that he was able to repair the hernia when he did. It is truly a miracle the child was on the list to have surgery and received the care when he did.

Providing these surgeries meets a huge need in our community in Haiti. Thank you for giving so that children's lives can be improved through medical care.

Valentine's Day

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 09:00:39 GMT

Children Received Valentine's Day Cards!

This Valentine's Day, we shared a special opportunity with our donors to send Valentine's Day cards to all the kids on our campus. Over 380 cards were sent and each child received a Valentine's Day card. They were so excited to open a special card and read a message of love. We love using special moments like holidays to remind every child that we love them, and more importantly that Jesus loves them.

Thank you for being a part of our Danita's Children family and sending a card this year to remind a child of all the love that surrounds them!

Baby Charles was born on November 13th at 28 weeks gestation.

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:50:49 GMT

Baby Charles was born on November 13th at 28 weeks gestation.

After giving birth at home and noticing her baby was not thriving, his mother knew she had to get him to the hospital immediately. She went to the public hospital where they referred her to our hospital because he needed neonatal care. Our hospital is the main referral hospital for pediatric and neonatal care in this area. Charles' mother was afraid and uncertain about what to do, but she knew bringing him to Danita's Children would be his best chance at survival.

Charles was admitted on December 7th to our inpatient unit weighing just 1.87 lbs. His tiny body struggled to thrive as he suffered from hypoglycemia, hypothermia and low weight. Our staff monitored him closely 24/7 and he received the best care possible. He received tube feedings, constant oxygen and was kept warm under a radiant warmer.

On January 13th, Charles was well enough to be discharged, weighing 3.3 lbs! He's tiny but mighty - he is a living miracle. His mother is so thankful her baby boy is now healthy and growing. We are thankful the local hospital encouraged his mother to bring him to our hospital where we could provide the highest quality of care available. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve children like Charles. Your support makes miracle stories like this possible!

Baby Gracia was referred to us...

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 23:47:43 GMT

Baby Gracia was referred to us from a local hospital after her father noticed she was having difficulty breathing.

When she arrived, 10 month old Gracia was in severe septic shock, and was in and out of consciousness. Our staff worked quickly to administer the oxygen and medicine she needed. She was treated in our inpatient facility for 13 days and there were moments we weren’t sure if she would make it.

After almost 2 weeks of treatment and much prayer, we are happy to say she is fully recovered! Gracia’s father is happy to have his baby girl safe and healthy again. We are so grateful for the opportunity to provide life saving medical care to children in Haiti.

Meet Wendley

Sat, 18 Dec 2021 21:35:37 GMT

Our Medical Center's Biggest Blessings!

When our staff first met Wendley, he wasn’t even one day old, and he desperately needed our help. His mother and grandmother were visiting family, and when Wendley’s mother went into labor at only 28 weeks, they panicked. Thankfully, the doors to our Medical Center were open!

Wendley weighed just over three pounds and needed special care to stay warm. Because God’s timing is always perfect, our team had just received our first infant radiant warmer and had it ready for Wendley’s stay. While Wendley had many medical challenges and obstacles to overcome, he also had the prayers and care of his family and our staff.

Today, Wendley is nearly three months old. He still has some medical battles to fight, but he is proving his resilience each day. It is a privilege to serve Wendley and to watch God provide in his life.

Our NICU is just beginning construction, and we are so grateful to our donors for funding it and to God for His constant provision for our center and the children we serve. We can’t wait to see more babies like Wendley find help in our NICU. We are grateful each day for the chance to bring God’s love to the children of Haiti.

Thank you for praying for us and supporting us in this work!

Loudrige-Pierre

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:32:00 GMT

The post Loudrige-Pierre appeared first on Danita's Children .

Fritzlin-Joseph

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:30:00 GMT

A special message from Fritzlin (New College Graduate) Greetings Friends, and Family, I hope you are doing well and sending God’s blessings your way. The past four and half years have been extraordinary and challenging, but you have always been there with me. This letter is a resume of my undergraduate season and a letter […] The post Fritzlin-Joseph appeared first on Danita's Children.

Babies like Simeon needs a NICU

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:58:34 GMT

Simeon needed help, and he found it at our center.

When Simeon was born at just 28 weeks weighing less than three pounds, his nurses didn’t think he would survive. But he lived!

Simeon lived because of people like you.

You enabled our hospital to stay open even when many areas were shutting down because of the coronavirus. Because we were open, Simeon had a place to receive care.

You enabled us to provide oxygen at a time when oxygen is hard to find. Simeon came to us with Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome – for him this oxygen was lifesaving.

You enabled our staff to provide the care Simeon needed. Our amazing nurses and doctors helped Simeon through good and bad days and never lost hope. When he was finally able to leave the hospital, his birth weight had more than doubled thanks to their care.

One of our nurses said that saving Simeon’s life was the greatest experience of her nursing career, and it wouldn’t have been possible without generous donors like you.

Simeon has gone home, but our medical center is still open and serving children whose needs cannot wait until the coronavirus threat has passed. We are so grateful for your generosity which allows us to continue to care for vulnerable children like Simeon even in the face of a pandemic. Children like Simeon are reminders of the hope that we have even when our situation is dire.

To learn more about our NICU project please click HERE

Baby Sandy Miracle Story

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:48:08 GMT

You are transforming our medical center!

We are preparing to add a NICU to the medical center to help us better serve the many vulnerable infants who come to us. Just last week, we were reminded of our urgent need for this NICU when baby Sandy arrived.

Sandy was born 10 weeks early and on the side of the road, because his mother could not make it to the hospital. Sandy was just 3.5 pounds at birth and needed critical care from our team. Today we are thrilled to see him improving and working on gaining weight. We have 1 NICU baby warmer that was recently donated.

The goal is to have a NICU with 10 beds. Without a NICU, we run the risk of not having enough resources and tools for the babies like Sandy in our area who desperately need us. In order to finish this NICU, we rely on the generosity of our donors.

While we wait for the installation to begin, we ask that you would prayerfully consider joining the group of donors who have already supported this cause and allowing us to provide the care these vulnerable babies need.

To learn more about our NICU project, click HERE

Judelka received help, now she helps others!

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 15:50:00 GMT

It is a privilege for us to be known in Haiti as a place for any child who truly has no other option. Generous people like you make this possible. Because of donors like you, and our reputation in our community, we have the privilege of knowing Judelka.

DONATE

Chideline Recovery

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 16:55:00 GMT

Chideline is a sweet young girl with bright eyes, but her future hasn’t always seemed so bright. Just this year, Chideline faced severe malnutrition, which threatened to impact her growth and ability to thrive permanently. Her caregivers sought help from Danita’s Children Malnutrition Program, and there they found the support that would allow Chideline to […] The post Chideline Recovery appeared first on Danita's Children.

Baby Simeon Surviving Pandemic

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:20:00 GMT

When Simeon was born at just 28 weeks weighing less than three pounds, his nurses didn’t think he would survive. But he lived! Simeon lived because of people like you. You enabled our hospital to stay open even when many areas were shutting down because of the coronavirus. Because we were open, Simeon had a place […] The post Baby Simeon Surviving Pandemic appeared first on Danita's Children.

Medical Center Emergency Cases

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 15:14:00 GMT

Until about two weeks ago, the number of coronavirus cases in Haiti was very low. But recently that number has grown massively, and it shows no sign of slowing. Our community is at increased risk in this crisis. The Dominican Republic has had much higher infection rates than Haiti and many Haitians are returning home. […] The post Medical Center Emergency Cases appeared first on Danita's Children.

Food Scarcity

Fri, 22 May 2020 15:08:00 GMT

HAITI BATTLING FOOD SCARCITY Food scarcity can be a very frightening thing, but in Haiti it is something we see the effects of often. Malnourished children visit our clinic and feeding programs even when there is no crisis or pandemic affecting the area. But now, with the effects of COVID 19, which forced the border […] The post Food Scarcity appeared first on Danita's Children.

Prayers Answered

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:50:00 GMT

OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED! The border to the Dominican Republic is closed and we are not able to get oxygen for our critical patients. Our lead Pediatrician Dr. Jeanty has been working diligently to take care of this emergency. We found another hospital willing to help. Thanks to our medical team and a partnering […] The post Prayers Answered appeared first on Danita's Children.

Meet Fritzner

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:54:00 GMT

Meet Fritzner. He is a third-year Public Administration/Policy major with a minor in Theology at William Jessup University. As he completes his last two years of college, he shares his dreams of helping be the change in Haiti. We are so grateful for Fritzner and proud of all he has worked so hard for these […] The post Meet Fritzner appeared first on Danita's Children.

Meet Dieula

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 15:42:00 GMT

Previous Next Before she was the age of three, Dieula’s mother was sick and passed away suddenly. Her father was elderly and struggled to take care of Dieula. He initially placed her in the home of some family and friends but was concerned that Dieula was not being properly care. He approached Danita’s Children and […] The post Meet Dieula appeared first on Danita's Children.

Love Gives | Meet Dauphley

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:32:00 GMT

GIVE HOPE TO A CHILD LIKE DAUPHLEY TODAY! Previous Next Rescuing, loving, and caring for orphans means providing them hope. Giving them the love of a family reminds them that they have a purpose and priceless value. Dauphley became a part of the Danita’s Children family in 2014. At age nine he had experienced more […] The post Love Gives | Meet Dauphley appeared first on Danita's Children.

Education Matters: Have you met Andre?

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 20:27:00 GMT

A Day in the Shoes of a Student at our School!

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 20:48:00 GMT

With 60% of children enrolled in schools dropping out before the sixth grade in Haiti, this video shares the essential need for school that provides more than just an education.

Watch this video below to see how Danita’s Children is saving lives through education ! ( World Bank 2015 ).

I WANT TO HELP A CHILD GO TO SCHOOL

Watch the impact of medical care #WhereThereIsNoDoctor!

Fri, 17 May 2019 15:47:00 GMT

Watch this short highlight video of our week in the mountains providing medical care to people of Baie d’Orange!

This week our medical team performed a 3-day mobile medical clinic where the following lives were impacted:

In order for our clinics to outlast our visits, we make sure that we are not leaving these families without resources, education and most importantly, knowing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Our team worked countless hours training, planting nutritious seeds for sustainability and building relationships within these communities. The team of nurses and partners in Baie d’Orange are the true heroes of this village. They work tirelessly every day to bring change to their village
#WhereThereIsNoDoctor!

VIDEO: See the lives YOU have transformed at our hospital!

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:47:00 GMT

Our Children’s Medical Center used to be a dream, but as we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year, we are beyond grateful that it is a reality. Everyday, parents bring their children and not only receive medical care, but the hope of Jesus Christ .

Families are being transformed through quality medical care and we are able to do that with your support!

Please watch this short video to see the lasting impact being made in the lives of children and families.

A Partnership That Changes Lives!

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 20:48:00 GMT

That’s why we were so thrilled to have been selected last year by Haiti Air Ambulance as a receiving hospital partner. Haiti Air Ambulance provides these suffering children with free flights to transport them to our medical center so that they can receive quality care by our amazing pediatric team.

But that is just one piece to the puzzle. After we receive the child, we have to make sure we have all of the necessary supplies to treat them effectively.

This is where YOUR help and support comes in.

These children were flown to us specifically for the quality of our pediatric medical care. Even with our amazing partners at Haiti Air Ambulance, we would not have been able to save their lives without resources – provided by you!

Please prayerfully consider helping us continue serving and
saving children in Haiti in 2019.

Exciting Report: Life-Changing Surgeries at Danita’s Children Medical Center!

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 17:24:00 GMT

Nine Surgeries Performed in Operating Suite at Danita’s Children Medical Center!

Meet Andy.

Andy’s mother told us when he was born, her family told her to abandon him at the hospital because of his cleft lip. She brought him to us seeking help and the doctors successfully repaired his cleft lip. After his surgery she told our staff, “Once he heals, I am going to take him to see those same people so they can see what God has done with his life!”

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

God’s perfect timing was shown with one of our surgical patients, Aïvanove. By Friday morning our medical staff and team assessed each surgical patient, completed evaluations and made a pre-chosen surgical list of who they would operate on. That day, Aïvanove, a six-year-old boy and his mother from a town 30 minutes away from our hospital, walked into our outpatient clinic. Immediately, our pediatrician evaluated him and called the surgeons for consultation. This little boy was found to have Paraphimosis, an urologic emergency.

When we saw it was an emergency, we changed the order of the surgeries and operated on him that afternoon. This sweet boy was in so much pain and was not able to urinate properly for almost three days. After surgery, his pain was quickly relieved. The operation was a success!

While talking with his mother, we asked if she knew we had a team of surgeons here. She said, “No, I just knew that if I came to Danita’s Children they would help me no matter what.”

Aïvanove was able to stay with us for one night and discharged the next morning. His smile showed his relief and the success of the surgery. The mother was so grateful for the operation that saved her son from a possible life threatening amputation. It was a miracle of timing having the team from HCA here when this little boy showed up at our door step. This really shows the need for surgical care in Haiti and how God makes a way for each of His children in their time of need.

The effort was a collaboration between an HCA healthcare surgical team and our own doctors and nurses. They performed these nine life-changing surgeries:

– 2 cleft lips
– 1 arm burn
– 1 urological obstruction
– 5 hernias

We often see children and families travel to Ouanaminthe from across the country for care, as our medical staff is able to diagnose patients with on-site radiology and lab equipment, treat patients for a variety of ailments, and now provide surgical services in our new operating room.

THANK YOU for partnering with us to make these life transformations possible!

2018 Year-End Review!

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 22:05:00 GMT

Giving Tuesday | Kesnel’s Story

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:37:00 GMT

There was a time Kesnel could not walk or even smile…

Watch this Giving Tuesday video to hear about the hope that he has today because of people like you who give!

HELP A CHILD LIKE KESNEL TODAY!

Orphan Sunday: Lubenson’s Miracle

Sun, 11 Nov 2018 15:28:00 GMT

Lubenson’s Miracle: A Life Transformed

At Danita’s Children, we are blessed to be a part of miracles like Lubenson’s every day.

For almost 20 years, Danita’s Children has been dedicated to our mission of rescuing, loving, and caring for
orphaned and impoverished children in Haiti.

Every day we are seeing these children transformed by love
into happy, healthy, and whole young men and women of God.

This Sunday, November 11 is ORPHAN SUNDAY

Orphan Sunday is a world-wide movement to stand up and be a voice for some of the most vulnerable children in the world.

To help an child like Lubenson today, click here .

Everyone has a champion… Meet our Child Champions!

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:22:00 GMT

Meet our Child Champions! Claire (10 years old).Will (7 years old). Seven-year-old Will has been a child champion since he was just FIVE years old. He started asking for donations in lieu of birthday gifts since 2015! Will has graciously served this ministry well by coming up with many ideas where all proceeds go to Danita’s Children. Another […] The post Everyone has a champion… Meet our Child Champions! appeared first on Danita's Children.

Operating Room’s First Surgeries Performed!

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:37:00 GMT

Our newly-completed operating room’s first round of surgeries were performed this September. Watch this video to see more of our announcement!

We are so grateful to our many supporters who have given their service, expertise and resources to make this amazing dream come true.

A special thanks to HCA for being the first partner to provide surgical services.

The need is great. If you are interested in partnering with our Medical Center, we’d love to hear from you.

Alarming Malnutrition in the Mountains of Haiti

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 19:57:00 GMT

Last week our medical and malnutrition team traveled to Baie d’Orange for a mobile medical clinic where hundreds of children’ lives where saved! Our incredible team was able to consult and treat 167 children in 8 hours ! Of the 167 children, 20 were severely malnourished. We were able to transport six of them to our Medical Center this past week for in-patient treatment and put the rest on the outpatient program we have in their town.

Prior to traveling to Jacmel, Haiti, and before the three hour drive into the mountains to treat these children, we had planned our meeting with Joel, a nurse from the community who has dedicated his life to treating cholera in his town and surrounding areas. The night we arrived, our team toured Joel’s cholera clinic, which he runs out of old donated container. He has treated almost 2,000 cholera patients himself in the past few years. At times, he doesn’t have gloves or IV fluid to do his work, but he’s always there. Once our Malnutrition Program Director asked him, “What happens if YOU get cholera?” He responded very confidently, “God will take care of me.”

“Joel is truly the most amazing human being I’ve ever met. You wouldn’t even believe the things he is doing with such little resources,” our Malnutrition Program Director mentioned. He is not employed by any organization, so he raises bees to make honey to support himself and his family so he can continue to help his community as a nurse.

After our team returned, we were able to arrange transport for one mother and her two very sick children to come to our Center. Sadly, we received news that one of her children died on the way. The mother turned around to bury the child, and came back with the other child the next day. This is the reality in Baie d’Orange. The malnutrition in this area is alarming right now. They haven’t seen a malnutrition epidemic like this in a long time.

None of this work would be possible without the prayer, support and commitment of our donors, team and individuals like Joel in communities deep in the mountains of Haiti. Please be in prayer about the future of this community and click the link below to help today!

DONATE TODAY!

Back to School time!

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 14:03:00 GMT

Announcing: Haiti Air Ambulance – Danita’s Children Partnership

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 19:11:00 GMT

Watch this video for an exciting announcement for Danita’s Children!

Danita’s Children Medical Center has just been selected as a partner by
Haiti Air Ambulance for emergency medical transports!

With our Operating Room Suite in construction and on schedule for a late
Summer 2018 launch, this is the perfect time for such a strategic
partnership to be able to receive children with emergency medical needs
from all over the region.

Watch this video and read more below to find out more information on how this partnership will change the lives of children in Haiti!

After being in our care, doors opened for him to be seen by a world-class plastic surgeon. Haiti Air Ambulance flew in to transport him to the medical hospital where he would undergo two different surgeries. The staff and doctor there were astonished by our first response care and the loving, life-saving treatment Adas received in our medical center.

Today, Adas is healing beautifully and doing well. He will need future surgeries, but he’s going to make it, and we have embraced him fully as a new member of the Danita’s Children family. Without the help of staff, nurses, doctors and Haiti Air Ambulance, Adas’ story could have ended very differently. Because we have seen the life-changing difference it makes for a child to have access to air transportation in critical situations, we are excited to announce our future partnership with Haiti Air Ambulance! Danita’s Children will be recognized as a receiving hospital for children like Adas. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! More to come…

Food Security Situation Report: Crisis in Northeast Haiti

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 20:05:00 GMT

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has just published their Food Security Situation Report for Haiti.

While they ranked the entire nation of Haiti in “stress phase,” they ranked the North-East province of Haiti, where Danita’s Children is located, in “ crisis phase .” And they predict a further deterioration of the food security situation.

We are seeing this reality play out as we encounter hungry children on a daily basis. Now is your opportunity to make a difference when it is most needed.

Your donation will go immediately to support the Feeding Program of Danita’s Children, ensuring no child that we can reach goes hungry this year. Together, we can meet and defeat this food crisis in North-East Haiti!

Click below to make a donation to the Danita’s Children Feeding Program.

HELP SOLVE THE FOOD CRISIS

She’s Worth It…

Sun, 13 May 2018 15:15:00 GMT

All women in our lives are worth it.

But there is a unique love that surpasses them all. The love of a mother.

Mikiatia was two years old when a Danita’s Children medical team traveled deep into the mountains of South Haiti. At the time, her mother, Marina, had spent the last three months trying to keep her daughter alive.

“My family was so sure that my daughter was going to die that they already had the casket paid for and ready for her passing,” she admitted.

When Marina met our team, she knew God had opened the doors of her village to meet them. She didn’t have to pay one penny. And after almost two months at our inpatient Malnutrition Program, she was able to take her daughter back home.

“When I go back to my village I don’t think anyone will believe she’s the same child. My child is like Lazarus – raised back from the dead.”

Mikiatia came to us at 11 pounds. When she left two months later she weighed 18 pounds! At our Malnutrition Center we see hope come alive every day. From feeding the mothers and children daily, spiritually and physically, to providing them a place to stay with their child – we do whatever we can to keep families together and hope alive. Mothers like Marina are the true heroes. They go against every doubt and fear to find a way for their children to have life.

This Mother’s Day, we cherish and celebrate the strong women in our lives, like Marina, who do what it takes to fight for their children day in and day out.

We love and appreciate you all! Thank you for your continued support and prayers for these families and children. Together we are changing Haiti, one child at a time.

Girls Volleyball Team Brings Home Haiti National Title

Wed, 02 May 2018 17:57:00 GMT

Congratulations to our very own Hope for Haiti Girls Volleyball team who brought back the national title from Port Au Prince this weekend!

Say hello to the new National Champions in Haiti! We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Not only did our girls team win Nationals, but our younger boys placed third overall at their first tournament ever!

We are especially proud of one of our girls and captain of the team, Laura, for being named Best Player in her division! She has shown consistent encouragement and leadership throughout the season. This season would not have been possible without the help and investment of their coaches – Robenson, Lucsaint and Moise – all of which live on campus in our homes.

One of our college students, Nehemie, who is also on a national volleyball team was the girls’ coach last year before she moved to college. She tagged along with a few of our other college students in Port Au Prince to support our kids on the court. Nehemie created the team while she was living with the girls on campus, “I saw potential in them and the way they love the game made it easier for me. I coached them for a while but once I moved to Port-au-Prince I left Robenson to coach them. He did a tremendous job! I call them my little warriors because whenever they are playing, they captivate the moment and fight together to win. I’m so happy I got to watch them beating every single team in the National, they make me proud. They sure deserve that trophy. I just love them so much,” she explained.

Upon returning to Ouanaminthe, both teams rallied around town celebrating and sharing their successes with the people in the village. Filled with people, the streets of our small town echoed with celebratory cheers and a strong sense of unity because of the national title brought home by our girls, and first experience for our boys! Way to go, girls and boys!

Introducing: Mountain Outreach Program

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 13:20:00 GMT

One of our goals at Danita’s Children is to find children suffering from malnutrition and other illnesses and connect them to help before it’s too late. Our heart is to reach those who are too far to come to us. We have been faithful to God’s call for us to continue our Outpatient and In-Patient Malnutrition Programs through our Medical Center. But, after years of seeing children come through our doors with minutes to live, we have seen some recover, and others who have not. This reality sparked a new hope for us here. There is always more we can do.

We are humbled to announce that we are expanding our Malnutrition Program. We will now partner with rural clinics, nurses, and health agents who are working deep in the mountains of Haiti in order to provide life-saving intervention for children suffering from malnutrition.

Mountain Outreach Program Objectives:

Provide support for health agents and rural nurses

Provide health agents and nurses with transportation to do home-visits in order to identify at-risk or already malnourished children and connect them with outpatient services in their area

Provide support for already existing outpatient programs in the form of finances, medication, and/or Medika Mamba

Provide transportation for children who live too far out to go to the nearest outpatient program

Arrange mobile clinics every 3 months in North Haiti

Provide training for health workers/nurses on health education and life saving services

This program will mainly work out of our two malnutrition hubs: Baie d’Orange and Carice

There, we have coordinated with town nurses and health agents in order to run outpatient malnutrition programs, as they are roughly hours away from the nearest clinic. We have many needs in order for Health Agents to effectively go out into these communities and save children.

We hope to expand this program into most rural parts of Haiti, so that no child is left behind as we continue to make sure that every malnourished child has access to mobile medical clinics, supplies, and other resources in order to survive. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our programs and ministry! More to come…

The post Introducing: Mountain Outreach Program appeared first on Danita's Children .

One of our goals at Danita’s Children is to find children suffering from malnutrition and other illnesses and connect them to help before it’s too late. Our heart is to reach those who are too far to come to us. We have been faithful to God’s call for us to continue our Outpatient and In-Patient Malnutrition Programs through our Medical Center. But, after years of seeing children come through our doors with minutes to live, we have seen some recover, and others who have not. This reality sparked a new hope for us here. There is always more we can do.

We are humbled to announce that we are expanding our Malnutrition Program. We will now partner with rural clinics, nurses, and health agents who are working deep in the mountains of Haiti in order to provide life-saving intervention for children suffering from malnutrition.

Mountain Outreach Program Objectives:

This program will mainly work out of our two malnutrition hubs: Baie d’Orange and Carice

There, we have coordinated with town nurses and health agents in order to run outpatient malnutrition programs, as they are roughly hours away from the nearest clinic. We have many needs in order for Health Agents to effectively go out into these communities and save children.

We hope to expand this program into most rural parts of Haiti, so that no child is left behind as we continue to make sure that every malnourished child has access to mobile medical clinics, supplies, and other resources in order to survive. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our programs and ministry! More to come…

The post Introducing: Mountain Outreach Program appeared first on Danita's Children .

Malnutrition Transformation: Adacheka’s Story

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 18:57:00 GMT

This is where the beautiful little girl, Adacheka, came from. When we first saw her, she was 2 years old and only a few days from dying of malnutrition. Working through a health agent in that village, we sent money to bring Adacheka to us. When she arrived, we treated Adacheka with I.V. antibiotics for infection and put her on Medika Mamba, a therapeutic food used to treat malnutrition. She put on weight and changed before our eyes each day! She went from a lifeless, listless child to a little girl so full of personality and energy! Several months later, we sent Adacheka and her mom home, happy and healthy and full of life! Just this week we received an update on Adacheka from that same health agent in her village. Our nurses and staff were thrilled to see her picture and see her doing so well! She is happy healthy, and always giggling and laughing with no ongoing health issues!

Malnutrition is preventable. Malnutrition is curable. We just have to be willing to open our eyes to see those who are suffering. The reality is that some of these children will never make it down to our hospital, so we will go to them. We will take 5-hour motorcycle rides into the mountains to find them. We will fly across the country, and we will drive through rivers and over mountains to find them and bring them to safety. Because no innocent child should suffer and die from something that is so easily treated. We are so grateful that we have a place where children can find relief from that suffering and where desperate mothers and fathers can find hope.

Four-star rating — Five years in a row!

Fri, 16 Mar 2018 17:50:00 GMT

Danita’s Children is honored and excited to announce its
FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR as a FOUR-STAR CHARITY
by Charity Navigator!

According to Michael Thatcher, President & CEO of Charity Navigator:
“Danita’s Children’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public. Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of our 4-star rating.”

At Danita’s Children, we remain dedicated to loving and empowering orphans and vulnerable children and families in Haiti. We believe that caring for a child is the worthiest of investments, and we are so grateful to be able to accomplish this mission through the generosity of our amazing supporters.

Thank you for helping to make five consecutive years of financial health possible.

Loss, Life, and Love

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 15:55:00 GMT

Meet Grandpa Augustin and Baby Williamson. Over the past several years, two devastating losses hit their family. The grandfather of two little boys lost his wife in 2013 and then his only daughter nine months ago. In February, Augustin and his 11-month-old grandson, Williamson, visited Danita’s Children’s Medical Center due to malnutrition. What we saw when they came to us totally touched our hearts…

The chances of an infant dying without a mother are very high.

It is not uncommon to see mothers, grandmothers, sisters, or aunts caring for children. Not so common to see men doing so. We were utterly astonished to see a feeble grandfather patiently sitting in a waiting room, doing everything in his power to keep his grandson alive and well. The moment we saw Augustin and baby Williamson, our hearts were captured by his selflessness and determination to care for this baby boy, especially without a mother to help.

Thank you for helping us help others.

Thankfully, Danita’s Children is supplying the baby with milk and the family with more food. We are also working with a nurse in their area to ensure the family receives continued malnutrition supplements and to monitor the baby’s weight and progress on a weekly basis.

Because of your support, we are able to bless families who have endured traumatic life events like Augustin and his grandsons. Their story of loss, life, and love moves us to take action. We hope it does the same for you!

Ways you can give hope this Christmas

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 21:55:00 GMT

It is easy to help children in Haiti this Christmas. You can give a donation, sign up to become a sponsor, support us while you’re shopping or give in honor of a loved one!

1. Donate: There’s no better time to give a gift than the end of the year. If you give before midnight on December 31st, your gift will be doubled because of our matching fund and tax-deductible for 2017! It’s easy to give online by visiting the donate page. You can also give over the phone by calling our stateside office at 615-721-8433 OR give by mailing a check to PO Box 864311 Orlando, FL 32886

2. Sponsor A Child: Sponsoring a child in need is a $29/month commitment that will change two lives, theirs and yours! When you become a sponsor, you are playing an important role in the life of a child who’s daily needs aren’t being met. Your gift is meeting those needs. Sponsorship provides a child the chance to attend school, eat a hot, nutritious meal every day, have access to quality medical care and receive discipleship from our loving staff.

3. Amazon Smile: Use Amazon Smile while you shop! When you do your Christmas shopping through Amazon, you are also helping Danita’s Children! Log in to shop through Amazon Smile and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to Danita’s Children at no additional cost to you.

4. Honor a loved one: Gifts in honor of a loved one are a meaningful alternative to traditional holiday shopping. Not sure what to get that person on your list who already has everything? Honor them with a gift to Danita’s Children. Your gift will not only help a person in need but surely bring a smile to the face of the recipient. The holidays can often be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones, give them a thoughtful gift by honoring the loved one’s memory with a gift that will change a life.

This Christmas, you can help feed a hungry child, or give the gift of opportunity by helping a child go to school. All it takes is a click of your mouse for you to initiate positive change in the communities we serve. Feel good knowing your support is impacting children for good in Haiti!

Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:22:00 GMT

A follow-up visit for a child who was recently discharged from our malnutrition center turned into a lifesaving encounter for two-year-old Claudine.

Claudine lives in a town called Derac. A team from Danita’s Children visited her town for an outpatient follow-up with a former patient. On this day they met Claudine, who was severely malnourished and very sick.

The team brought her back to our malnutrition center and admitted her to our inpatient program. Children are typically treated in our program for 60 to 90 days. Claudine’s mother stayed with her daughter for two months while she received treatment.

Before coming to our medical center, she sought help from a witch doctor. For months, she wasted all of her money on this voodoo treatment, but her daughter’s condition only deteriorated. Her mother was desperate for help. She found hope and healing at Danita’s Children. Not only is Claudine healthy, but her mom recently gave her life to Christ. Thank you for your support which brings restoration and hope to these children and their families!

Healing Hope At All Hours

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 22:35:00 GMT

Adrien was playing soccer with his friends one day when he fell and broke his arm. He lives in a rural village in the mountains where there are no medical facilities or doctors close by.

His mother is raising him alone and she struggles to make ends meet. She had no extra money to seek medical treatment when he needed urgent care. With no other options, he went to a village doctor who attempted to fix the broken bone by applying natural remedies. This only made his condition worse.

A few days later, the arm was severely infected and the bone was exposed. Adrien was suffering with intense pain from the infection that was spreading throughout his body. His mother could not afford to buy any medicine or transport him into the city to see a doctor. A friend gave them money for a taxi and suggested they go to our medical center. Unfortunately, the infection was so severe, Adrien’s hand could not be saved. He needed emergency surgery to save his life.

Since the operating room at Danita’s Children is not yet complete, we had to transport him to the closest hospital, two hours away. We paid for his surgery, which was a complete amputation of his infected hand. Adrien is receiving post-operative care at our medical center. He has dealt with the loss of his hand well and is very happy to be alive. We are so grateful that we were able to save his life. Thank you for making this possible! The addition of the operating room at Danita’s Children will serve children like Adrien who have life-threatening emergencies.

Benefit Raises Money for Operating Room in Haiti

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 22:27:00 GMT

From hockey to Haiti, recently retired professional athlete, Mike Fisher, is making an impact everywhere he goes. He and his wife, country singer, Carrie Underwood, are passionate about serving others. The couple recently hosted a private dinner in Nashville to benefit Danita’s Children and the next phase of the medical center.

Mike and Carrie had the opportunity to visit Danita’s Children in Haiti for the first time a few years ago. “It was definitely an eye opener; to see the extreme poverty, to see the need that is here in Haiti. But it was also special to see the difference this place is making and meet some great people.We left inspired to use our platform and it has been a privilege to be able to do that,” says Fisher of their trip.

On October 15th, Mike and Carrie hosted a private event for their closest friends, family and business partners to raise money for the next phase of the medical center and introduce Danita’s Children to the Nashville community. This year Danita’s Children has seen a huge increase in the demand for a 24/7 medical center and a surgery center. The goal for the medical center project is to complete the operating room and hire more staff so our doors can be open 24/7. Currently, the only wing of our medical center that is open full-time is the inpatient malnutrition center.

In most cases, when a person needs medical care in Haiti, they will only be seen and treated by the doctor after they pay the bill. This makes access to medical care especially difficult for families who are already struggling to provide for their children’s basic needs. We see a lot of children in critical condition because the parents did not have the money to seek medical care and waited until it was a life or death situation. Our medical center does not turn away families when they cannot afford to pay. We treat EVERY child, regardless of the financial situation.

The next phase of the medical center will provide a quality operating room and 24/7 access to medical care to thousands of children in Haiti. This year, our medical center has seen over 6,570 children in our outpatient center. We have also saved 140 critically ill children in our inpatient malnutrition center. We are so thankful to each person who has given to make this dream a reality!

What’s next? Danita’s Children is working with a local contractor to complete the build-out of the operating room. Please continue to be in prayer for this project and keep up with the progress by joining our email list.

Raising the next generation

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 23:08:00 GMT

The power of your long-term investment is in 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.

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.

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.

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!

One Day. One Voice. One Purpose.

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 21:47:00 GMT

From the very beginning of Danita’s Children in 1999, we have been dedicated as an organization to our mission of rescuing, caring and loving orphaned and impoverished children in Haiti.

We are following God's call to " defend the fatherless ," (Isaiah 1:17) and " meeting the orphan in their distress ," (James 1:27).

Orphan Sunday is a world-wide movement to stand up and be a voice for the most vulnerable group of children, orphans. Believers embrace Orphan Sunday as a way to engage the church in caring for the orphan, and from this expression of prayer, nations are being changed and movements are being born.

As Christians, the bible calls us to defend the cause of the fatherless and to care for orphans, to visit them in their distress. Across the world, on November 12, Christians everywhere will speak up for the most vulnerable children in the world.

Orphan Sunday is an initiative of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO, www.cafo.org ) and is implemented world-wide by a team of volunteers. Events are locally-led. Sermons, small groups, prayer gatherings or a shared meal at someone’s home are some of the ways groups can raise awareness and respond to God’s call to care for the orphans.

How can you help orphans?

Danita’s Children is joining the movement this year and providing free resources to anyone who wants to stand up for orphans. Feel free to download the materials we’ve created for your event.

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Hurricane Matthew: One Year Later

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 21:34:00 GMT

On October 4, 2016, Hurricane Matthew ripped through the Caribbean destroying everything in its path. The southern coast of Haiti experienced one of the worst hurricanes in almost a decade.

The city of Jeremie, Haiti, was especially devastated by the storm. Wind speeds reached up to 165 mph and large amounts of rain caused flooding and mudslides. An estimated 546 people lost their lives because of the hurricane. Those who survived were left in disbelief at the amount of damage Hurricane Matthew left.

For those who survived, the loss of physical possessions was great. Thousands lost their homes, personal belongings and livelihoods. In these areas are farming communities, the strength of the storm caused severe loss of crops and livestock. Buildings were completely destroyed and trees were down everywhere; the city was unrecognizable. Read on to see how your generosity provided immediate aid and helped create a long-term plan to help families recover and begin to rebuild their lives.

Within a few days following the storm Danita’s Children deployed a disaster relief team to the southern region of Haiti. The team assisted in immediate relief efforts, distributing emergency supplies that included clean water, food, medical supplies and tarps. The team partnered with local missionaries and organizations in Baie de Orange and Jeremie to assist the communities that had been affected. Haiti Bible Mission was an integral part of our relief efforts. By joining forces with this local organization, we were able to quickly and safely distribute supplies and help those who desperately needed aid.

In Jeremie, thousands of homes were destroyed, almost every roof was blown off of the buildings left standing and people were seeking emergency shelter at local schools. Some school shelters had more than 900 people staying in them following the storm. Clean water sources were difficult to find because so many of the sources had been contaminated in the storm. As a result, thousands of people became infected with cholera in the days and weeks following Matthew.

The public hospital in Jeremie, Saint-Antoine , was functioning out of one building because all of the other buildings had been badly damaged. Our team provided medical supplies and ended up rescuing a special needs baby who had been abandoned a few weeks prior. The hospital did not have the resources to properly care for a baby with such severe special needs and child services found it to be in his best interest to be relocated to our ministry. Micah found hope and his forever home in the midst of total devastation.

Two weeks after the storm we chartered a plane from Ouanaminthe to fly 1,000 tarps to hurricane victims in Jeremie. People lined up for hours to receive the tarps. These small blue tarps were life giving & provided a temporary refuge from the rain that continued to pour daily in the weeks following the hurricane.

For long term relief, we partnered with local organizations who were already working in Jeremie prior to the hurricane. These organizations have relationships with the local people and are best equipped to serve these communities. The generosity of donors in the weeks following Hurricane Matthew allowed these local organizations to recover 94 of roofs, rebuild a church & provided the incredible gift of 16 new homes to families who lost everything. The hurricane was devastating but thousands of families received immediate assistance because of your quick action. The resilient nature of the Haitian people has helped them rebuild and your support allowed them to face the devastation with hope.

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Fighting Malnutrition in Haiti

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 19:39:00 GMT

It is estimated that 100,000 children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition in Haiti. Lack of access to adequate nutrition and medical care mixed with unsanitary living conditions are a few reasons why children suffer so greatly across the country. Danita’s Children is combating this problem through our baby rescue program.

Two years ago the baby rescue program expanded it’s services and opened an inpatient malnutrition center at Danita’s Children. The center started with one nurse and one doctor. Today we have one incredible full-time pediatrician, eight full-time nurses and a handful of amazing caretakers who work together to run the 24-hour inpatient clinic. In addition to the inpatient center, our outpatient malnutrition program assists children in the community who are suffering from less severe malnutrition. We have wellness checkups once a week for children who are showing early signs of malnutrition or have recently been discharged from the inpatient program. We also provide at-risk families with supplemental food to prevent future cases and relapses of malnutrition.

We have had an extremely busy season of new intakes in both our inpatient and outpatient programs. With school being out for summer break, there are more mouths to feed at home. Summer also means scorching temperatures that create a higher risk of dehydration for children who are ill.

Melissa Toussaint was brought in by her mother at the beginning of the summer and she was very sick and malnourished. At six months old, she weighed just seven pounds. She needed a blood transfusion and was monitored around the clock. She was in intensive care for the first few weeks where her mother never left her side. Slowly Melissa’s condition began to improve. After three months of treatment she was able to return home to her family weighing a much healthier nine pounds. She will continue to receive weekly wellness check ups through our outpatient program to ensure she continues to thrive.

Genez Jean lived by a miracle. She is from the southern coast of Haiti and lives in a remote mountain village called Baie d’orange. Her parents have six children and they survive off of a small garden.

When five-year-old Genez arrived, she weighed 23 pounds and her frail body was in multiple organ failure. She was severely malnourished, anemic and fighting tuberculosis. She received multiple blood transfusions and miraculously she began to heal. She returned home weighing 29 pounds and a completely different child. She is happy and healthy, running around her home with her life completely restored.

Esperancia and Esperando Dor are twins who arrived in our care at just a few weeks old. The twins were born premature and received no medical care at the time of their birth. The babies weighed a little over two pounds each at the time they were admitted into the malnutrition center.

We believe the hot Haitian summer acted as an incubator and kept these newborns alive. Their mother has six children and their father is working in the Dominican Republic. The mother has continued to breastfeed the twins while being educated on proper nutrition for all of her children. They also receive supplemental nutrient-dense formula.

The stories of transformation that come out of the malnutrition center are nothing short of miracles. When children arrive, they are often near death. Many children require 24-hour care when they are first admitted. Treating malnutrition is a delicate process and our medical staff follow strict guidelines to provide the best quality care.

Because of the generosity of donors, the baby rescue program is ending malnutrition one child at a time. Your support is saving children like Genez and Melissa each day.

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Graduating Class of 2017

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 19:36:00 GMT

Danita’s Children Celebrates the Graduating Class of 2017

Graduation is one of the most important milestones in the lives of young adults. Even more so in Haiti, where 60% of children will drop out of school before the 6th grade.

Education is the key to opening doors of opportunity and creating brighter futures. It is an honor to provide quality education to each child in our school. Graduation is the recognition of hard work and the celebration of exciting new adventures ahead.

Each of these students has faced unimaginable hardships during their lives. The loss of a parent, a tragic accident or being uprooted because of a natural disaster could have easily prevented any of them from finishing their education. In spite of all difficulties, each of them pressed on and completed what they set out to do.

On August 27, hundreds gathered together for the momentous occasion. Family and friends watched as 13 young men and women marched down the aisle and proudly received their diplomas.

Throughout the years, many staff, teachers and sponsors have poured into the lives of these students. The generosity and encouragement of family and friends have shaped their futures and helped them to become the amazing young adults they are today.

The ceremony was filled with speeches of encouragement, a slideshow that showed pictures of them throughout the years, and in true Haitian fashion we had lots of food, music and dancing.

The next chapter will be filled with new experiences, new challenges and lots of excitement as our graduates move to Port-au-Prince to attend university.

Thank you for joining this ministry in the mission to rescue, love and care for children in Haiti. The kids are the heart of what we do but the people who surround us with support are the hands and feet who make it all possible.

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A Father’s Love

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:50:00 GMT

Jean France is an incredibly loving father. He and his wife have their hands and hearts full raising four young children.

An ordinary Sunday afternoon quickly turned into a medical emergency when his toddler fell into a pot of boiling water. Jean was desperate to find help for his little boy who suffered from third degree burns.

Neighbors rushed over to help the family and one man told Jean about Danita’s Children. He wrapped Barkley in a towel and took him to the ministry gates. A nurse was leaving the property after her shift when saw the baby. She immediately grabbed the baby and ran him upstairs where our medical staff began treating him for his burns.

Barkley stayed in the medical center for 16 days and received everything he needed to completely heal. His father never left his side. The entire family is so grateful for the compassion and the care they received at Danita’s Children.

A few weeks ago we sat down with Jean and he spoke about his experience at Danita’s Children, “I have been to many hospitals and ministries in this country. How they treated my son and my family at that hospital, it restores my faith. If it was not for Danita’s Children, I would be in so much pain. I would be in debt and my son may not have received the treatment he needed to get better.”

Your generosity provided immediate and quality medical care through the Hope for Haiti Medical Center.

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Medical Care Provides Healing in Rural Haiti

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:21:00 GMT

Santa’s life is far from easy. She lives in the remote village of Capotille, nestled deep in the mountains of northern Haiti. Her parents and 11 siblings share a small home and make money selling items in the market. As hard as they work, their circumstances barely get them through each day with enough to eat.

Santa has juvenile diabetes. A few months ago she got very sick, she lost her appetite and experienced extreme fatigue. The closest medical clinic was miles away and her father worried how they would pay the bill if they found a way to reach it. They sought treatment from the local village doctor who treated Santa with medicinal herbs. Fearing for her life, Santa’s father made the decision to make the trip to the hospital.

He walked through the gates of Hope for Haiti, carrying his daughter in his arms. She was so weak she could not even walk. Our medical staff began working on her immediately. Through around the clock care and close monitoring, Santa began to heal and get stronger each day.

She stayed with us for over a week while she received care and education on how to manage her diabetes. Each month we provide monitoring strips and insulin free of charge to help her manage her disease.

As Santa received medical care in our hospital, she also noticed something different about how our nurses and staff cared for and and loved her. Daily interaction between Santa and our staff led to conversations about her Heavenly Father, one who she had never accepted before. One week after being admitted to our hospital, we shared a message of hope with Santa and her father. When asked if either one was ready to accept Jesus as their Savior, Santa was quick to respond, “ Yes !” She stood to her feet and raised her hands and prayed to accept Jesus in that moment.

Santa made a full recovery and has since returned home a healthy 16-year-old. Each month we get to catch up with Santa when she visits us at the medical center to receive her monitoring strips and insulin.

Santa attends church each Sunday and she said she has a new outlook on life. Santa was given quality medical care and education to manage her disease but more importantly, she was given the gift of hope through salvation.

Your support provides life saving medical care to children living in rural areas of Haiti. Give a gift today and continue providing medical care to children like Santa.

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Farming for God’s Glory

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 18:42:00 GMT

Moise knows exactly what he wants to do when he grows up. His love for animals and farming is impressive and inspiring.

From a very early age, Moise has always loved animals. When he was in third grade, he found an injured chicken and knew he had to help. For a few weeks he spent all of his extra time caring for the chicken until is was completely healed. At just 16 years old, Moise is wise beyond his years and has a big heart for those around him.

“I want to keep learning more about agriculture and study it, so I can become a pro!”

A new farming initiative at Danita’s Children is giving Moise the opportunity to learn about agriculture. He is learning to balance the demands of caring for the chickens and keeping up with his school work. Through the farming initiative he has learned skills like gardening, construction, and the proper way to care for animals. The skills he is learning today will benefit him far into his future.

Medical Mission: Sharing the Love of Jesus Through Medicine

Wed, 10 May 2017 18:31:00 GMT

Danita’s Children medical center hosted a medical team from Melbourne, Florida that was able to see 1,170 patients in 5 days!

In our community, quality medical care is lacking and the cost is often unattainable by the already struggling families who live here. Many people simply go without treatment if they are sick or injured. This team was a huge blessing by providing free care to so many people who desperately needed medical treatment! Medical teams bring valuable knowledge, skills, resources, and manpower to see more people healed. The teams and our full time staff always learn a lot from one another.

The team worked a few days inside our medical clinic and also had the opportunity to visit a few local villages. Going out into the village allows teams to assess people in rural areas who may still need medical attention but lack transportation to get to our facility. Visiting the villages allows visitors to see how many people live in the rural areas. They see the realities of what daily life looks like for many people who lack basic resources. They also have an opportunity to see the lack of medical clinics in those remote areas.

Our medical director, Linzi Sousa, said it is only by God’s grace that the clinic days were as successful as they were, “With 7 providers and this amount of patients, on average each provider saw about 43 patients. Those numbers are just almost impossible…but not with Jesus! It was supernatural. Only God could have provided time, energy, knowledge, and strength to see that quantity of patients in one day.”

The team assessed patients, provided treatment plans, performed x-rays, placed casts on broken bones, gave a pediatric walker to a little girl, and showed the love of Jesus to the sick.

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The Unexpected Gift

Fri, 05 May 2017 18:27:00 GMT

The moment she heard Micah’s story she knew she wanted to be a part of his life. Carolyn made the loving decision to sponsor baby Micah.

It was her heart’s desire to send baby Micah a gift that would let him know that he was loved and cared for by strangers who had heard his story. When her daughter was pregnant, Carolyn had received her grandbaby’s heartbeat from the ultrasound. She decided to take the recording to Build-A-Bear and place it inside as a gift for her baby shower. It was a treasured gift, and month-by-month as grandbaby grew, mom would take pictures of baby next to her very special bear.

Remembering that gift, Carolyn knew exactly what to get Micah. “I’ll stuff a bear and put my heart beat, or have someone say something in Haitian Creole,” she thought. But finding someone who spoke Creole was a lot harder than she imagined. She found “Jesus Loves the Little Children” in Creole and knew that is what she would record for Micah’s bear.

The next day she arrived at the very busy mall. It was loud and the recording became muffled by all of the noise. A young store attendant, Krystal, offered to take the bear to a quiet area in the back of the store and record the song.

Krystal had never heard the song before. So Carolyn decided to sing, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world,” over and over until Krystal knew what part of the song to record.

This started stirring something inside Krystal. Carolyn asked about her faith in the comfort of the back of the store away from the crowds. She wasn’t raised knowing Jesus and had never really thought much about her faith.

So the thought of Jesus loving all the little children of the world; the neglected, the poor, the ones in Haiti, the ones in America, was new.

Carolyn shared Micah’s story with Krystal. She began to cry as she shared the love of Jesus and His provision over this abandoned baby’s life. She couldn’t believe how God was using a simple bear to share the love of our Savior.

Krystal knew she needed to be a part of this story. She started finishing up the bear and told Carolyn, “I’ll take care of it.” Thinking she meant sewing up the bear, Carolyn said, “Thank you, I will let the cashier know I was working with you.” Krystal said, “No no no! I will take care of it. This gift is from me. I want to be a part of this story. I’ve never heard of someone doing so much for a child they don’t even know.”

Carolyn knew she desired to bless Micah, but didn’t know this bear would bless her and bless Krystal too.

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Roots of Hope: An Agriculture Project is Raising Future Farmers in Haiti

Mon, 01 May 2017 18:23:00 GMT

“We have a chore list and take turns tending to the coop and garden. We all have to do this around our school schedules so we alternate,” says Moise.

Eggs provide income for the project.

Most people in rural Haiti farm and have livestock. This project is teaching real life skills that will help the students in the future while continuing to provide nutritious meals for all our children.

Plans for the future? Danita’s Children was recently blessed with 106 acres donated by a generous supporter. This new land will be used for farming and will help Moise fulfill his dreams. Moise wants to finish school and focus all of his time on agriculture. We look forward to developing our agriculture program even further and becoming more self-sustainable!

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Plans for the future? Danita’s Children was recently blessed with 106 acres donated by a generous supporter. This new land will be used for farming and will help Moise fulfill his dreams. Moise wants to finish school and focus all of his time on agriculture. We look forward to developing our agriculture program even further and becoming more self-sustainable!

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Cerlang’s Story: A Girl’s Journey to Find Hope and Healing!

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:18:00 GMT

Cerlang Jean is a bright 12-year-old girl. She enjoys going to school, spending time with her friends, and playing volleyball. Looking at her today you would never know that months ago she was fighting for her life.

One night she had a fever and the next day noticed a small bump on her neck. She didn’t think much about it until the bump became infected. The infection grew worse. Unfortunately, access to quality medical care in Haiti is not always available and after several unsuccessful visits to local clinics, she was brought to our medical center.

As soon as our nurses saw the infection, they immediately began cleaning the wound and administered strong IV antibiotics. For weeks, Cerlang received around the clock care. With the help of daily cleanings and continuous antibiotics, her wound began to heal.

Your generosity provided immediate medical treatment for Cerlang when she needed it most.

During her stay in our medical center, she remembers a nurse that took her healing a step further.

“There was a nurse who sat with me all day, she talked with me and shared about God. I am so happy because I know God healed me!”

Today, Cerlang looks ahead with hope! She has two sponsors, is excelling in our school, and plays on the girls’ volleyball team. She has big plans for her future. “I want to finish school and I hope to become a doctor one day!”

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children like Cerlang.

Cerlang’s story is a testimony of how your generosity is saving lives in Haiti. There are many more children in desperate need of medical care – and with your help it’s possible!

More Joyful Than Ever

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 18:04:00 GMT

She arrives to work each day with a smile on her face. But it wasn’t always that way.

As a single mother of five Moviette knows hardship. She has spent her entire life struggling to provide for herself. When she was just a child, both of her parents passed away and she was sent to live with a family as a “restavek,” a Creole word that means “modern day slave.” She didn’t believe that one person in her life ever loved her.

We first met Moviette in 2015, when she came to our medical center with one of her children. He was very sick and malnourished. He was admitted into our inpatient malnutrition program for treatment. Moviette stayed with him every day throughout his treatment.

Some children travel very far to reach our medical center and their families are unable to stay with them while they receive treatment. Moviette made it her job to serve these children by washing their clothes every single day.

This is a beautiful part of Moviette’s story – no one hired her, no one asked her, she just saw a need and decided to help. A woman who was facing her own hardships stopped to help sick children around her.

Her son regained his health and went back home. But Moviette continued to come every single day to wash clothes for the children in our medical center.

Moviette also recently gave her life to Christ. Moviette feels truly loved for the first time in her life, and is on a mission to share the hope & joy she’s found with others.

Thank you for your generous support. Your faithful giving opens the door for true transformations like Moviette’s to happen.

A life transformed: Enock’s story

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:59:00 GMT

Life in rural Haiti is a constant battle for survival. Lack of clean water, adequate food, and access to medical care can often lead to malnutrition, sickness, and even death.

Enock was struggling to survive when his mother brought him to our malnutrition center in December.

He was so sick he couldn’t even sit up on his own.

His mother was doing her best as a single parent to provide for her five young children. When Enock became sick, there wasn’t enough money to take him to the doctor. He was losing weight rapidly and she knew her son needed help. She was in a helpless situation.

Enock’s case was severe. At 8 years old he weighed in at just 31 pounds. He received a blood transfusion and antibiotics. His body couldn’t tolerate solid food at first, so he was fed nutrient-dense formula through a feeding tube.

Slowly, Enock’s condition began to improve.

Over the next few weeks he became stronger and was able to start eating solid food again.

Enock is healthy because of you. He was discharged just last week and returned home to his family.

He will come back to our medical center for weekly checkups to make sure he maintains a healthy weight.

Enock’s life is forever changed because you decided to help a child hundreds of miles away. Your gift transformed his life and today his future is bright!

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Francisca’s story

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:57:00 GMT

A few months ago Francisca arrived at our medical center. She was suffering from malnutrition and fighting for her life. She was admitted into our malnutrition program and for weeks no one knew if she would live.

Francisca was hospitalized for malnutrition, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Her mother, Sandra, stayed with her every minute as her daughter fought for her life.

Sandra is a loving mother. She cares for her child so well and does her best to provide for her family. But life in Haiti is hard. Sandra and her family still have days where they go without a meal.

Today, Sandra is grateful her children are receiving food through our feeding program and thankful that our medical center provided life-saving care for her little girl when she needed it most.

Francisca’s story has a happy ending. By the grace of God and because of your generous support, Francisca is a living, breathing MIRACLE!

There are many children like Francisca who are suffering. Not enough to eat. No access to medical care. Children who are in desperate need and fighting for their lives.

For $58 you can save the life of a malnourished child by providing a week of life-saving care. A small cost for such a tremendous impact!

Will you help save children from malnutrition and restore them to healthy lives?

We are thankful for your past donations and we ask that you prayerfully consider giving a gift today so that other children, like Francisca, can have a fighting chance at a better life!

The Border Challenge: New Adversity in 2016

Thu, 26 May 2016 17:47:00 GMT

The beginning of the year has always been a time to think about what’s ahead. It’s a great time to take inventory of where you’ve been and consider where you hope to go. It’s also a time to anticipate the challenges and opportunities you’re going to face in the year to come.

One of the greatest challenges we are going to face this year is going to be simply obtaining food. In the last six months the Haitian government has been changing food regulations and this may prove to have a significant impact on us.

Simply put, the government wants all food to come into the country either by airplane or boat so it can be taxed. While that doesn’t seem like a big deal, we are located on the Dominican Republic border and receive a large percentage of our food from them. In October, the Haitian government issued an executive order to ban 23 types of goods from crossing the border including fruit, vegetables, and other food that is essential to feeding our children.

Will you prayerfully consider helping us feed and care for children in Haiti?

This recent food ban has put many Haitian families out of business, and without that income they are finding it hard to feed their families. Hundreds have lost their jobs in the market, food is hard to find, and all of this has led to an increase in hunger and malnutrition. Last year we spent just shy of $175,000 on our feeding program, and we are anticipating a great increase in expenses in 2016.

In September of 2015 we added a Malnutrition Program to combat the rise in childhood malnutrition and have treated 58 children in our new in-patient program so far. With God’s blessing and your help, our Malnutrition Center and feeding program will continue to thrive so that children can live!

Here are some ways that you can help:

– Feeding program for one month: $14,500 (approx. 16,000 meals)

– Fifty meals (approx.): $45.50
– Twenty-five meals (approx.): $22.75
– Ten meals (approx.): $9.10
– Medika Mamba, a peanut-butter based nutrition, for the Malnutrition Center for one month: $1,035, or $69 per box
– Malnutrition Center nurse’s salary for one month (5 nurses): $300 each Kitchen worker’s salary for one month (5 cooks): $300 each

Thank you for your prayers and support. We value your partnership with us. Together we are changing lives one by one.

Humbled, once again

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 18:19:00 GMT

There are some things in life that are just hard to do. My prayer over the past 10 years is that my heart would never become hardened by the poverty, overwhelming needs, injustice, and the unnecessary suffering that I see daily, watching people have to endure heartbreak because of things that could be prevented like hunger, malnutrition, AIDS, etc.

This morning in the midst of paperwork, construction projects, sponsorship program deadlines, and the other daily issues, I had to tell a sweet 20-something mother that her precious 1.5 year old boy died. It is one of those things where I plead with God to not let her feel the weight of her loss. Just a couple of months ago, this mother was homeless, sleeping on the streets, nurturing her little boy to the best of her ability. Then one day she came to our property after hearing about what we do. He was enrolled in our baby rescue program here at Danita’s Children. One of our missionaries, Hope, loved him like her own. A family member of one of our employees gave her a place to stay until we found a home to rent for her. The mother faithfully came everyday…every single day…so her little boy could receive nutrition that he sometimes unwillingly took because he didn’t have the energy to even open his mouth.

Because his malnutrition was in the end stages, he needed more than nutrition; he needed 24/7 care. He was losing weight, not gaining weight, and was getting weaker by the moment. One of my best friends, Brittany, who lives in Port-au-Prince, happened to be visiting us that week. She has a special place in her heart for children that are suffering from malnutrition. There is something about having friends that fight injustice, alleviate suffering, and will do ANYTHING to save the life of a child that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. So Brittany took the mom and her baby boy back to Port-au-Prince with her to admit him to a baby rescue center, The Real Hope for Haiti. They specialize in malnutrition cases and try their best to save lives daily.

When they arrived at the rescue center, the mom knew the risks and let the center take him in hopes that he would get better and be returned to her. It turned out that he had TB, anemia, and an enlarged heart. On June 7th, he passed away.

I sit here writing this with tears streaming down my face. Not because of what I had to do today. Please, I beg you, don’t feel sorry for me. I’m so heartbroken that another mother has to lose her child due to malnutrition. Being in the presence of this mother is humbling. Beyond humbling. Humbling because she is a picture of where the heart of Jesus is…with the suffering and brokenhearted.

I feel an urgency in my life to do more, fight on behalf of more, rescue more, love more, and give up more. I’m determined to keep turning my tears into action. Parents shouldn’t have to lose kids to preventable illnesses. There should be access to medical care for those who cannot afford it. There should be fewer orphans in the world every day.

My prayer is that you feel the urgency, too. Suffering is NOT just limited to 3rd world countries. It’s in your home. It’s in your backyard. It’s next door. It’s in your workplace. It’s in your school. It’s everywhere. Choose to open your eyes and allow yourself to see it. You can be the answer to a mother’s prayer or the answer to an orphan’s cry…

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Dauphley’s story: a life changed

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 18:05:00 GMT

Dauphin, one of our schoolteachers at Danita’s Children, was robbed and beaten to death in 2011, leaving behind his wife and five children. He was known for his gentle spirit and kindness towards each of his students.

After a year of trying to manage her children on her own, Dauphin’s widow became overwhelmed and abandoned her children. Her son, Dauphley, and his siblings were split up between various family members, and he ended up alone with an aunt.

His aunt faced many hardships, making it difficult to provide proper care for her young nephew.

Despite his loss and sorrow, Dauphley retained his sense of joy and wonder and the light in his eyes. When Danita’s Children became aware of his situation, it was clear the Lord was leading us to take him into our home. He was very eager to become a member of our family.

Dauphley joined us in 2014 at age 9 and we have made a lifetime commitment to love and care for him. A beautiful smile adorned his face as he arrived with the worn clothes on his body and an empty backpack on his shoulders as his sole possessions.

Within minutes of his arrival, he was welcomed with hugs and laughter from his new brothers. It was incredibly touching to watch his life change right before our eyes.

Rescuing, loving, and caring for orphans means providing them hope. Giving them the love of a family reminds them that they have a purpose and priceless value.

Lubenson’s ninth birthday

Sun, 03 Aug 2014 20:12:00 GMT

Lubenson was abandoned when he was six months old. His future looked hopeless as he was dying from a rapidly growing tumor.

By God's grace, we were able to fly him from Haiti to Miami Children's Hospital for emergency surgery. This week, we will celebrate his ninth birthday. Happy Birthday, Lubenson! Great is your destiny!

Thank you!

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:17:00 GMT

Thank you to our friends from GracePointe Church, Snodgrass-King dental clinic, and Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood for serving our children and staff!

Danita’s Children honors Foundation Partners with anniversary banquet

Sat, 16 Nov 2013 20:19:00 GMT

Last night, over 150 friends and donors identified as Foundation Partners were honored by Danita’s Children Founder and CEO, Danita Estrella Watts as she celebrated 15 years of rescuing, loving, and caring for orphans and impoverished children in Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

The men and women in attendance were some of Danita's closest friends, family members, and colleagues associated with the early support, love and devotion to the organization, which began in 1999. Worship was led by the group Warr Acres from Victory Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and messages from partners and friends comprised an evening of celebrating God's faithfulness over the last 15 years.

“It has been as privilege to serve the Lord in Haiti the past 11 years. As I sat in the room, my heart was full of gratitude for the people that He has brought to us to accomplish the vision of Danita’s Children. My favorite part was seeing how Danita honored those that helped her when she first moved to Haiti,“ says Karris Hudson, Field Director for Danita’s Children.

Danita’s Children will continue to celebrate and acknowledge its organizational success and the devoted individuals associated with those endeavors throughout 2014.

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Southland medical teams provides care to children in Haiti with Danita’s Children

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 20:26:00 GMT

Each team spent several days performing routine physicals, eye examinations, dental cleanings, and check-ups. Over 100 pairs of eyeglasses were donated to children who had lived most of their lives in need of corrective eyewear. Dental extractions and topical operations were performed on several patients as well.

The Danita’s Children Medical Center and team are extremely blessed and grateful for the generosity of the Southland medical teams. Danita’s Children looks forward with great excitement and anticipation for the new season of improved healthcare in Haiti which they are valiantly embarking on.

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The Caleb Foundation dedicates three homes

Sat, 21 Sep 2013 20:35:00 GMT

This past weekend, Danita’s Children was honored to host Pastor Rob Koke for his donations to the constructions of the campus’s new orphan homes and to receive his personal dedication. The homes were provided by funding primarily through The Caleb Foundation, a charity founded by Pastor Koke and wife Dr. Laura Koke in memory of their late son Caleb.

Along with fellow members of the Danita’s Children Board of Directors, Pastor Koke stepped foot into the beautiful new facilities for the first time. Moved to emotion by the reality of the dream his foundation was able to help come to life, he was given the honor of presenting a heartfelt and memorable dedication.

“It was extremely moving and inspiring to see a man who has suffered a great loss turn his grief into something influential which will continue to change to lives for years to come,” says Robert Smith, a missionary currently living in Haiti, serving Danita’s Children along with his wife Rachel and their son.

If you would like more information about Pastor Rob and Dr. Laura Koke, Shoreline Church, and The Caleb Foundation, please visit: www.shoreline.net.

Danita’s Children is providing lasting change and breaking the cycle of poverty and oppression throughout Haiti by rescuing, loving, and caring for orphans and impoverished children.

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Unsung heroes

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:32:00 GMT

September marked my 10 year anniversary in Haiti. In October, I turned 32. As I sit here and think about the past 10 years and the 22 years before that, I just well up with tears. Tears of gratefulness to the Lord for not giving me what I wanted when I wanted it — but giving me something better. Ten years is a long time to see a lot happen. When I first came to Haiti on my first visit almost 11 years ago, Danita had one house and was building a second floor. We would go up to the 2nd floor at night, sit on cement blocks, and drink Coke from a glass bottle. The property that now has a school, church, dental clinic, playground, cistern, cafeteria, 8 new homes, and a children’s medical center was just a field with grass and cows and goats when I first came. The children that were 4, 5, and 6 years old are now 14, 15, and 16 years old and tower over me. The joy and purpose that our children give me is more than I could ever express in words…

There is something about seeing a God-given vision come to pass that is priceless. I have seen the hand of God move in ways that could fill a book. I have seen how integrity and not compromising as a leader brings forth the blessings of God. I have been blessed to have a leader like Danita who has shown me what it means to walk with God in whatever He has called you to do and most importantly, how to walk with God in my personal life.

When I look over the past 10 years, I am most grateful for the privilege of meeting the most incredible people this world will never know. The people whose names will never make headlines. The people who will never be tagged in a Facebook status as a hero. The people who will never grace a Twitter post. The people who die alone, but not alone. There is something about these people that makes me feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world to be in their presence. Their presence is a reminder that my flesh is ever-present and He must become greater and I must become less. Their presence humbles me over and over and over again.

Another one of my heroes is a young woman named Evelyn. In 2006, she showed up at our property. She had severe pain in one of her breasts. There were several open wounds and I knew something had to be done. I took her to the Dominican Republic to various hospitals that were 3 hours away. I went to one hospital, trying to save money, and ended up leaving hours after arriving there. It was packed and there were people lying in the hallways. In the US, this would have been an emergency, but no one acted like it was an emergency. Finally, I was able to get her into the ER and was told that Evelyn needed a card to be admitted, so I went all over the hospital. In the meantime, my taxi driver was standing outside the ER. When I finally returned and got the card, he had tears in his eyes and then I heard Evelyn crying. I went into the ER and saw something no one should ever see.

While I was gone, the attending physicians and interns decided to try and “fix” her breast instead of waiting for her to have surgery. So they applied local anesthesia and began to cut. I won’t go into details because to this day, it makes me sick to my stomach, but when I saw her, she was soaked in blood…there was blood on the walls, pools of blood on the floor, and I was told that nothing else could be done that night and she would be put on the waiting list for surgery. Then they told me to go clean her up. I had to go find a wheelchair and ask where the nearest bathroom was. I won’t go into details either about the state of the bathroom, but at that point, I could care less. Several people crowded outside the door as if it was a movie. No one helped, just watched.

Finally, one nurse had a heart of compassion and came to help me. By this time, the blood had dried so the nurse found me some gloves and gauze and we began cleaning her up. Then we bandaged her chest area and put her back in the wheelchair. Sitting in that dirty bathroom, cleaning the blood off a lady that I just met the day before, I remember feeling so privileged to care for one of the least of these. I called my taxi driver and told him to come back, and I told the staff at the hospital that I was going to another hospital. They said I would have to pay a lot more money if I went somewhere else, but I told them I didn’t care how much it costs because no human should ever be treated the way that she was.

So we left the hospital with the IV still in, hung the IV bag on the door handle above the window, and drove to the other hospital where she received several blood transfusions, tested positive for HIV, and I had to deal with some doctors who didn’t want to do the surgery on an HIV positive person. To make a long story short, I let the doctors know what I thought about that, found someone else, and she had a successful surgery. As we spent more time together, she opened up about her personal life and her past. She accepted Christ and I was completely overwhelmed with God’s love for her. We were finally released and went back to Haiti.

As I write these stories and share my heart, I can’t stop thinking about eternal life and the promise we have that one day there is no more suffering, no more pain, no more shame, no more wondering, no more sleepless nights, no more tears…this life can be so hard. The Christian walk can be difficult. I see my family and my friends here in Haiti and America and all over the world going through struggles that are hard to understand. The past year and a half has been a season of learning what it means to trust God in the midst of not understanding Him. It is not easy at times, but it makes ALL the difference.

The older I get, the more I realize that I am such a sinner, in DESPERATE need of God’s grace…in DESPERATE need of His wisdom…in DESPERATE need of His presence. So my prayer for you and for me tonight is that we will be more aware of eternal life…that we will recognize God’s love for us…that we will recognize our need for a Savior…and that we will search out someone everyday that is in need of eternal life, in need of God’s love, and in need of a Savior.

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God’s provision is unfailing

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:33:00 GMT

Disclosure: So I know that when we give to others our left hand shouldn’t know what our right hand is doing and all, but in light of finding perspective in all sorts of ways this week, this one is worth sharing.

As the year is coming to an end my mind has been dwelling – knowing that God is faithful and my provider and that He will provide ALL my needs in abundance – on raising money for support next year and how it will all work out and just concerned with having enough.

Oh, God’s reassurance is always on time. So, I was exercising outside, listening to a podcast, and you know, just dying in general. When I say exercising I mean going for an hour in circles around the perimeter of the 6-foot wall that outlines my house. The community isn’t the safest for an American girl who sticks out like a sore thumb to be running around all alone (not that walking to the bank or the store all alone is any different, but that’s not the topic here, all you safety police out there) so I stick to my little hamster on a wheel routine while my Rottweiler waits until I get around the corner and then tries to race me down the alley/knock me over/run between my legs, or some variety of that sort.

Anywho, as I made my way around I saw Watson, a street kid in my neighborhood, standing at my front gate. Watson is a Haitian kid who now lives in Dajabon after his mother died, leaving him orphaned. I’m not sure a lot about his life, where he sleeps or even how I came to know this kid, but I see him each day in town, buy him food every now and then, a haircut, let him help me walk home with my groceries, talk with him, pray with him or just slap him a high five on my way past his “post” aka begging corner. I stopped, trying to catch my breath, while Watson became embarrassed, probably wondering why I was running, or really probably more like who I was running from, and in Creole said, “Hi, Mami. I needed to talk to you and knew I could find you here.”

Okay, so real talk. I’m not gonna lie – in the moment I was thinking how it really wasn’t a great time due to the massive amounts of sweat and dehydration that were taking place, but I pulled my headphones down and walked over. “Alright, Watson. Why did you need to talk with me?” And then, almost simultaneously, as I was thinking all of my selfish thoughts about how I couldn’t breathe, I knew I was about to get a heart check: “Well…. because I’m hungry.” The thought alone of how long it has been since his last meal is enough, not to mention that he came to find me – knowing there was hope if he was successful.

I brought him back $5 USD and told him to get dinner and then save the rest for food the next day, and that before he eats he needs to thank Jesus for this money because He is the one who gave it to him. It made me wonder how long he had been concerned, in the same way that I have been, about where he would find provision – the amount is irrelevant – and our Father knew all along.

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Watson looked at me with an unexplainable expression that I know will hold in my heart forever, knowing that he will not go to sleep hungry tonight, and immediately all of my concerns turned into overwhelming, tear-filled gratitude as I watched Watson walk around the corner with $5 in his hand, he and I feeling the exact same way in that moment – completely provided for. Just another one of those reminders that I am taken care of by my Father and confident that there is always enough to share with someone else.

Danita's Children

A Message from Danita

The Story That Makes Hope Possible

In Loving Memory of Rodelinx Louis

A Lifeline for Haiti

A Lifelong Calling

Hope Filled Beginnings for Our Graduates

A Life Changed

Stories of Strength: Healing After Burn Trauma

Hope Restored After a Year-Long Battle

Hope Restored After a Year-Long Battle

Update on Our Special Needs Children's Home

Because of your support, we have raised $23,000 towards our Special Needs Home fundraising goal.

We still need $48,500 for 2025!

Would you prayerfully consider giving today to ensure we can continue this work for the special needs children in our care?

A Ministry Moment with Danita

The NICU Unit: A Celebration of Life

Another Life Saved

Equipping World-Changing Disciples

Equipping World-Changing Disciples: Raising the next generation of leaders in Haiti

Father's Day

To all the fathers, father figures, and mentors out there, Happy Father's Day!

Celebrating Two College Graduates

Celebrating Two College Graduates: Katiana Denis and Donken Andre ﻿

Crisis in Haiti

Our Most Urgent Need: Prayer

A Place Of Miracles

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Danita's Children Medical Center is saving lives!

Will you partner with us?

Anior's Story

Be the Change: Transforming Lives Through Child Sponsorship in Haiti

Medical Miracle Story

Rodensky was fighting for his life

Baby Chamaelle was fighting for her life

Baby Chamaelle was fighting for her life

Andre and Dauphley

Andre and Dauphley

Graduation 2022

Congratulations Class of 2022

Andina Healing Story

Baby Andina was admitted to our hospital in June for kwashiorkor and severe anemia.

The surgical team recently came to do another weekend of surgeries at our hospital

On Friday, June 3, the team was able to operate on three children, all who needed hernia repair. One patient had two hernias and the team was able to do surgery on both at the same time.

Jules’ mother came to our hospital

Jules’ mother came to our hospital back in October 2021 when she noticed that her son may have a hernia. She was able to have a consultation with our doctor and found out that he did need to have surgery to repair the hernia.

Meet Luckenson

Luckenson Toussaint, graduated from College of the Ozarks with a degree in Engineering...

All glory to God

Loudemia, just 11-years-old, suffered from severe complications of malnutrition...

Pressa was born with a cleft lip

Our surgical team provides life-changing surgeries every day...

Meet Andre

Meet Andre

Children's Hospital

Children's Hospital provides life-saving care every single day...

Valentine's Day

Children Received Valentine's Day Cards!

Baby Charles was born on November 13th at 28 weeks gestation.

Baby Charles was born on November 13th at 28 weeks gestation.

Baby Gracia was referred to us...

Baby Gracia was referred to us from a local hospital after her father noticed she was having difficulty breathing.

Meet Wendley

Our Medical Center's Biggest Blessings!

Loudrige-Pierre

Fritzlin-Joseph

Babies like Simeon needs a NICU

Simeon needed help, and he found it at our center.

Baby Sandy Miracle Story

You are transforming our medical center!

Judelka received help, now she helps others!

Chideline Recovery

Baby Simeon Surviving Pandemic

Medical Center Emergency Cases

Food Scarcity

Prayers Answered

Meet Fritzner

Meet Dieula

Love Gives | Meet Dauphley

Education Matters: Have you met Andre?

A Day in the Shoes of a Student at our School!

Celebrating Two College Graduates: Katiana Denis and Donken Andre