HAITI PATIENCE ORPHANAGE – 2010

THE SITUATION: Thousands of children in Haiti lost their parents in the 2010 earthquake. Many became orphans, overcrowding a system already strapped for resources. CAN-DO returned to Haiti to overhaul an orphanage in Carrefour where we made regular food drops and whose facility was run down and structurally damaged by the quake.

WHAT WE DID: For less than $10,000 and in 5 days on the ground, here is what we accomplished at Patience Orphanage:

• Installed electricity, including ceiling fans
• Patched cracks in walls and reinforced damaged area of roof
• Resurfaced walls and floors
• Painted interior and exterior of building
• Installed a functional kitchen with cabinets, countertops
• Adding two bathrooms
• Tiled the floor in children’s play area and bathroom
• Furnished orphanage with 20 new beds and linens
• Added new couch, chairs, and craft tables for the kids
• Delivered a truck full of new toys and school/art supplies
• Stocked cabinets full of food and water
• Brought in a physician to give all kids vaccinations and test for scabies

HOW WE DID IT: We were able to keep costs low by hiring local construction crews and material already in the country. For this project, we employed more than 30+ Haitians for the week.