Jamaica

September 7, 2024
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Dear Supporters,

‍In these difficult times, our hearts are filled with both gratitude and concern as we navigate an increasingly complex and challenging situation. First and foremost, we want to extend our deepest thanks to each and every one of you—especially the Sentinel Foundation and an organization that wishes to remain anonymous—for your unwavering support. Together, we accomplished the monumental task of relocating our children from the violence-ravaged streets of Haiti to what we hoped would be the safety of Jamaica. Your generosity saved lives and brought hope where there was none. You’ll notice we are not naming the orphanage or organization who we speak of below as we recently received a rather threatening letter claiming they will sue for libel if we continue to openly speak of their involvement and our concerns.

HaitiChildren would like to give a thorough accounting of how your donations have been spent caring for the 59 orphans and their Haitian caregivers up until this report. Please click on the link to review a spreadsheet that breaks down costs incurred in Jamaica: https://docs.google.com/file/d/1S_cvSSsjYxRVYOpTS0CljDNbBAMY1OLM/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msexcel

‍It is with a heavy heart that we must share the current state of affairs. The organization in Jamaica entrusted with our children has consistently failed to provide transparency and accountability. Despite sending $100,000 for the care of our children, this orphanage, funded in part by the Jamaican government, has refused to disclose how those funds were used. Instead, they’ve “suggested” an annual payment of $767,000—an amount we simply cannot justify without proper documentation of the actual expenses.The head of business development for this orphanage publicly stated in the Miami Herald that there would be "no charge for taking care of the children." After 14 long months of negotiations with the Haitian and Jamaican governments, we were able to get temporary “asylum” for 59 of our disabled orphans approved. Yet, today we find ourselves in a position where we are denied access to the children.

Adding to our distress, in conjunction with the government of Jamaica, this orphanage has in our opinion illegally deported 13 of HaitiChildren’s caregiving and medical staff who were given permission to travel and continue care for HC children while we sought a permanent home for them in Jamaica. After those precious staff members, who have been with our disabled children most of their lives, including our nurse, who was unjustly imprisoned for five days, those staff member are gone from Jamaica. The government of Jamaica, in connection with this Jamaican orphanage, has created an enormous deterrent for HaitiChildren to gain legal authorization to create a safe and medically capable facility for our children. Before the staff’s deportation, I was detained and beaten on my second attempt to visit Jamaica to access and to care for our children after receiving disturbing videos of them in different stages of malnutrition. Our doctor had advised referring the children for immediate hospitalization and specialized malnutrition care for those who could no longer eat on their own. One of the main reasons we had fought so hard to get those children to Jamaica from Haiti was that, due to the gang wars in Haiti, this specialized care was inaccessible. These actions raise grave concerns about the welfare of our children and the integrity of those who are supposed to care for them.

We are fighting tirelessly with the assistance of a human rights attorney to challenge these illegal and inhumane deportations. As our legal representative, Malene Alleyne, stated: “What we are facing now is a rupture in the rule of law that is extremely serious. These Haitians were stigmatized and returned to Haiti without due process. We need accountability and answers to ensure such violations do not go unchecked."

Our mission in bringing the children to Jamaica was to provide them with emergency medical care that was unavailable in Haiti. Tragically, our efforts to ensure their well-being have been obstructed. The doctor’s recommendations for our severely malnourished children have been ignored, and while this orphanage showcases our younger, healthier children of the 59 who were given asylum in Jamaica, there is no mention of the 20 severely malnourished orphans who remain in dire condition.

We are devastated. The videos we’ve received of our most vulnerable children are heartbreaking and contradict this orphanage’s claims that our concerns are baseless. The videos are disturbing and are not shared here as some things cannot be unseen. They have been shared with our human rights attorney who has shared them with the UN Rights of Disabled Persons. Our own suspicions were tragically confirmed when Susie was beaten, jailed, and barred from visiting her children after voicing these concerns. The Jamaican orphanage’s response has been to block our access and deport our caregivers, leaving us powerless to ensure our children’s safety.

“Are the children better off in Jamaica?” That question haunts Susie, the founder of HaitiChildren, daily. She risked everything to bring them here, believing it was the best option to save their lives. Now, she fears that she may never see them again and that they might think she has abandoned them. The weight of that thought is unbearable.

In Haiti, our orphanage in Williamson continues to provide a secure and loving environment for the children there, thanks to a dedicated team supported by a renowned Christian athlete. Despite the turmoil, nearly all our children have passed their exams with commendable grades, and we recently celebrated with a small championship and a beach trip to lift their spirits.

We remain committed to our mission and the children we serve. We ask for your continued prayers and support as we navigate these painful and uncertain times. Your trust in us is something we hold sacred, and we will continue to fight for justice, transparency, and the well-being of these innocent lives.

Please remember, as the Bible teaches us: “The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked” (Psalm 146:9).

Thank you for standing with us in this mission.

Sincerely,
HaitiChildren

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