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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

FAQs

What is the current situation with HaitiChildren in Jamaica?

Our founder, Susie Krabacher, recently traveled to Jamaica to address concerns regarding the wellbeing of the children in our care. She was denied entry twice, faced extreme and unjust treatment, and was detained overnight without access to her attorney or husband. Our caregivers have also been confined to their rooms without clear reasons, and the children are being split up, facing severe neglect and emotional trauma.

Why was Susie Krabacher denied entry into Jamaica twice?

Susie was denied entry without explanation on her first attempt. Determined to see the conditions firsthand, she tried again the following day but faced the same resistance and was forcefully detained overnight. This harsh treatment appears to be an effort to prevent her from witnessing the deplorable conditions our children are facing.

What are the conditions like for the children in Jamaica?

The conditions are dire. Our healthcare worker, Dr. Pyae Sone Phyo, observed that the compound is infested with flies, the garbage bins are overflowing, and the food safety practices are extremely poor. These conditions pose significant health risks to the children and staff.

What has Mustard Seed done to obstruct HaitiChildren's efforts?

Mustard Seed has repeatedly turned away, refused, or outright dismissed our attempts to provide aid, medical care, and essential support to the children. They have also confined our caregivers to their rooms without clear reasons and have split up the children, causing significant distress and neglect.

How are the children being affected by these actions?

The children are facing severe neglect and emotional trauma due to being separated from the only family they’ve ever known. The chaotic removal process may have accidentally included three disabled children—Rachelle, Rubens, and Stanley—whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

What legal actions are being taken?

We are working closely with our legal team, including Attorney Krishna James and international human rights lawyer Malene Alene, to address these injustices. Malene Alene has issued a strong public statement calling the removal of the caregivers unconstitutional.

How is HaitiChildren responding to the false allegations from Jamaican publications?

We are committed to transparency and have extensive documentation, including photo and video footage, to verify our claims. We are prepared to share this evidence to substantiate our experiences and concerns. We also have received overwhelming support from our USA audience, who trust and stand by us.

How can I support HaitiChildren during this time?

You can support us by continuing to believe in our mission and sharing our story. We ask you to join us in our fight to protect our children and counter false narratives. Together, we can ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children.

Are there any public statements or quotes from supporters?

Yes, we have received strong support from our community. For example:

- "HaitiChildren's dedication and transparency are evident in their tireless efforts to care for the most vulnerable. The false narratives being pushed by some Jamaican publications are a blatant attempt to undermine their vital work. We stand firmly with HaitiChildren in their mission to protect and support these children." – Emily Watson, Human Rights Advocate

- "It is clear to anyone who examines the facts that the accusations against HaitiChildren are unfounded. The courage and resilience shown by Susie Krabacher and her team in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring. The truth will prevail, and we will continue to support HaitiChildren every step of the way." – David Martinez, Long-time Haitian Rights Supporter

When will we receive more updates on this mission?

We are still actively fighting and will be posting developments on this mission as we continue. Please check back daily for the latest updates.

For more information and to support our mission, please contact:

Admin@haitichildren.org