The orphanage-GLA

I had no idea what to expect when I signed up to volunteer at GLA in Haiti. I was seriously preparing myself for the worst. Rice all week, flies all over the babies, sleeping on the ground, and dirt everywhere. I was pleasantly surprised in every way. This orphanage is extremely blessed and is very careful at providing the best care they can for the children there. There are Haitian nannies that give the children care 24 hours a day. There is a nurse there full time taking care of all the children’s needs.  Many of the kids come to the orphanage malnourished, weak and extremely under developed. After just a few weeks of proper nutrition and love you can tell a huge difference in the children. Each child has a story of where they came from and why they are there at GLA. Here’s a few facts for you about Haiti:

• Both Haiti and South Africa have a life expectancy of approximately the age of 50 compared to the age of 75 for the US.
• The majority of Haitians earn the equivalent of $1.00 – $1.50 US dollars per day.  With the high cost of living, their day’s wage won’t buy one dozen eggs.
• As many as 2,500 children are trafficked to the Dominican Republic each year as laborers or prostitutes.
• Less than 10 % of the Haitian population has access to electricity.
• Only half of primary school-age children attend school.  Less than 2% finish secondary school
• Approximately 6% of the Haitian population is HIV positive.
• Voodoo is practiced by 90% of the Haitian population.
• Every hour one Haitian child dies of starvation.

These children below are part of the very few who have been given a chance. My hope is that each of them will receive amazing adoptive families that can provide them with a chance to live and experience their dreams.