Jacmel-Haiti

After the departure of President Aristide in February 2004, the population displacement in Haiti, although difficult to evaluate has been on the move from urban center to the countryside and vice- versa seeking protection and subsistence. The Good Shepherd's orphaned children were forcibly removes from Port-au-Prince to Jacmel a safer environment. The relocation caused us to add more children in the program.

We leased an old coffee warehouse, renovated it into a two-classroom school/cafeteria to create “Marie-Rose Community School for 72 school aged children. Concurrently developed, and arranged a home-group, (foster parent) program which provided shelter to 42 children. The children’s welfare was attended to as well as educational needs. We also constructed a rooftop water catchments system with a 30,000 gallon reservoir which served 30 families in the surrounding area, resulting in a cleaner, healthier environment.

ARCF provides many special resources and support services for its children. Included in this, but not limited to, are: food (nutrition), clothing, education, and healthcare. Supply of all basic necessities to the home-group families responsible for the care of the fostered children.

Miami USA, 2008

Vision Eye Services to Haiti discovered that little Colby Thomas was blind in the right eye, and needed immediate attention to protect the left eye. They recommend that he be seen by a Pediatric Ophthalmologist for further evaluation. This service is unavailable in Haiti especially for very poor kids.

In March of 2008, ARCF initiated and developed partnerships with American Airlines Miles for Kids in Needs, ALCON Lab, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of Miami Florida, and the Colleyville, the Torti Family, and Texas Lion Club, to fly one-year old Colby Thomas
to Miami for eye surgery hoping to save his sight; giving him a chance for a healthy and productive life.

Post Hurricane 2008

The recent series of back-to-back hurricanes affected an estimated 650,000 people, of which 300,000 are children.

Important bridges and dirt roads have been destroyed and landslides have rendered roads impassable throughout the country.

ARCF's emergency response following a series of hurricanes that hit Haiti in 2008 particularly in Jacmel, [Fay on August 15 and 16. Gustave on August 25, Hanna on September 1, and Ike on September 6 and 7]. ARCF responded immediately to the children's physical needs, and established a safe living area thus restoring a sense of routine and normality for our children who had lost everything. These hurricanes affected an estimated 650,000 people, of which 300,000 were children.

ARCF made arrangements with American Airlines at DFW's Administration Department to adopted the children at as their charity project for several years by collecting clothing bedding, school supplies (and the shipping of these materials) for the children. The children were safely and happily relocated to a property rented and run by ARCF in Les Cayes, Haiti.