Changing the lives of survivors and volunteers worldwide
Voices from the Field: Carlo
Long-term followers of these newsletters might remember Carlo Lorazo. His orphanage, the Hands Together to Defend the Children Orphanage, was one of our first projects. Since starting work at the orphanage in September 2010, the orphanage has turned into one of our biggest success stories. Although you might have heard from Carlo before, we wanted to feature him here as one of our longest term and most heavily involved beneficiaries.
After the earthquake, the orphanage used to be in very bad condition. During the hurricane season we used to get flooded every day and living in tents increased the spread of diseases such as cholera. EDV built a drainage system which saved us from various illnesses. They even took the initiative of finding us a real house for two years, which increased our chances of staying alive and starting a new life.
EDV also helps us by supporting our Women’s Organization, which is aiming to create more jobs and make sure the women are aware of their rights. EDV has not only changed the life of our orphanage but also the one of the community. Thanks to them, our kids will be able to have a better life and have chances that other children do not have.
At this time, they are helping us in the hard path of getting our orphanage registered in order to get more support from other NGOS and also making our organization official to become more effective. The volunteers are currently helping to reorganize our whole system within the orphanage, such as budgeting, employment, sanitation, sustainable projects.
Currently, various projects are running. To teach the children and entertain them, an art class has been implemented. The kids learn how to paint on potteries, how to create statues, and other kinds of art.
One of the most exciting moment this month will the exposition that will take place in the Art Galleries of Port au Prince where all the hard work that every child has put in will pay off.
We also are working on a sustainable farming project based in Fond de Negre, where we will be raising chickens in order to sell meat and produce eggs. Finally, thanks to the amazing volunteers we are able to run an English class every day of the week.
The kids and the staff of Hands Together to Defend the Children Orphanage would like to say a big thank you to EDV as well as every person that have given so much time to help us till now. Without you we would never have been so far and you proved to us that there is always hope even after the darkest moment. Also a big thank you to everyone that has given EDV financial support, without you nothing would have been possible.
Again thank you for making our children the future of Haiti, God Bless you.
