ARISE CHILDREN'S VILLAGE
One in every ten children in Haiti are “restaveks”, a Creole term that means “to stay with”, but in reality is a child slave. Parents give their children away in hopes that they will receive better care than they can afford to provide them. But this rarely happens. There are also many children throughout Haiti that are abandoned or orphaned due to the abject poverty and crisis of teen and unwed pregnancies.
Our desire is to rescue children such as these and bring them into a loving family environment and place of safety, where they will be cared for in a family unit, have access to education, spiritual upbringing and good nutrition.
The ARISE Children’s Village opened in January 2016. Each home operates as a family unit rather than an orphanage. A social worker oversees the children's development and conducts parent interviews and training. Our Children's Village homes house up to eight kids plus house parents.
Three duplexes of the six complexes are complete. Once all the homes are built we will have 18 units that will house up to 144 children. Each house parent has employment within Haiti ARISE, or in their own outside business or work. They earn their own salary to help support their family unit. Haiti ARISE provides an allotment per family to help cover the costs of food, clothing, propane, gas. The parents are required to budget, meal plan, and provide receipts for their allotment each month. This will ensure the children are being well looked after, while still providing the parents with the dignity of caring for their own family.
32 children now call Arise Children's Village home, but even more important they now have a family.
MEET THE FAMILIES
Joseph Max Desgazons & Milorvena Joseph (1A)
Lorvencia, Trotsky, Esther Lynn, Eli Sterling (twins) & Patrick
Claudy & Berlin Metellus (not pictured) (1B)
Peterson, Schnider, Victoria, Ruthnéie, Leens & Ykenson
Jean Rory & Marie Claude Moya Frédéric (5A)
Maria, Deseline, Ruthnéemie, Natacha, Jhony, Jean Samuel & Jameson
Jean Joseph Renold & Mariana Hilaire Fénelon (5B)
Vekenlove, Gilberson, Vekenson, Loude Mia, Roudley, Carly, Chilove & Dailove
Jean Gilles & Louis Marie Mona Saintil (3A)
Marlensky, Cheistie, Deborah, Alann, Kenley & Robensley
We have a new couple to become house parents!
Pierre & Beatrice Venel
SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS
YOU CAN SUPPORT AN ARISE CHILD OR FAMILY!
Contact us to find out more about our families and the children available for sponsorship:
ARISE Children's Village Sponsorship
Would you be willing to help raise up this village?
Monthly sponsorship of $60.00 per child is allocated towards the child’s family unit and goes directly to the operation of the home.
ARISE Children’s Village Sponsorship helps to pay for the child's food, clothing, toiletries, health care needs, and for school-age children, tuition, uniform, books and supplies. Multiple sponsors are needed for each child to fully cover all of their expenses.
If you'd like to give a lump sum donation towards future growth and development of the ARISE Children’s Village, go to the DONATE page.
Sponsor an Arise Child - $60/month CDN
Sponsor an Arise Child - $60/month USD
MEET THE KIDS
Carly
Carly's mother died in childbirth, leaving 8 children behind with their father. He was just a peasant farmer, unable to care for any of them and gave up care for all of them to different people. Carly was in the care of his aunt. But she was not able to provide even milk for him and he was near to death when we found him. In getting him medical attention, more than 70 worms were expelled from his little body! He was 14 months old and was unable to hold up his head, let alone his body.
2023
Roudley
When Roudley first arrived at ARISE Children's Village, he was unsure. His mother was mentally ill and unable to properly raise him, so he was often left to himself in Grand-Goave. With no father around either, he never had the opportunity to go to school. At 6 years old, Roudley did not yet know his letters or numbers. After just one week in the Children's Village, he had already learned them.
2023
Ruthnéemie
When Ruthnéemie was born, her mother died. No one knew who the father was and she had no siblings. Her grandmother had 6 other children to care for and they lived in just a makeshift torn tent in Port Au Prince that would soak them all in the rain. It was no condition for a newborn. Her grandmother gave her up to Arise Children's Village when she was 6 months but comes to visit regularly.
2023
2023
Jhony
Jhony was the last child of eight in his family. His mother admitted shared that she did not want anymore children. She was just trying to earn some money to feed the ones she already had by selling herself. Shortly after pregnancy, she developed cancer and when Johny came she was unable to care for him. He was often left in the home alone or in the care of neighbours when she had to go to the hospital 3 times a week for treatment and to have fluid drained from her abdomen. Jhony was suffering malnutrition and neglect. At three months old, he came into Arise Children's Village in June 2017. He is now healthy and thriving.
Peterson
Peterson came from Petit-Goave, basically from the streets, to Arise Children's Village in Oct 2016. His mother was mentally ill and wandered the streets. She had been violated by a man who refused to take responsibility. Peterson's grandma took him home with her, but then would leave him to the streets all day while she would go to the market, essentially leaving him to raise himself. At 6 years old, Peterson had never yet been through a full year of schooling. Just after Hurricane Matthew while assessing homes, we found him and brought him back to Arise Children's Village.
2023
2023
Jean Samuel
Jean Samuel was abandoned at the gate of Haiti ARISE after the adult who brought him to see our social worker fled. He came into the Arise Children's Village in the summer of 2017 and he's been growing up fast. He loves playing with trucks and cars.
Ruthnéie
Ruthnéie was from the mountain village of Camp Perrin. We found her when she was just 4 months old while on a mission trip with our Haitian church members. Her grandmother begged us to take her because her mother was mentally ill and kept burning her while practicing voodoo. With no father in the picture, she had very little chance of surviving the abuse. Her torso, legs and arms were covered in infected burns. She was the first baby in the Metellus family home.
2023
Schnider
Schnider's story is a tragic one. From the slum Cite Soliel, he was being raised by his father after his mother left. When his dad was shot in a gang fight, he was left alone for days. The dad's body was never found. His grandmother took him in, but recognized her limits to care for him. She brought him to Arise Children's Village in hopes of a better life for him. She regularly comes to visit. Schnider was very traumatized when he first came and would not speak to anyone.
2023
Ykenson
Ykenson was living with his grandfather and mentally ill mother, who had been raped while wandering the countryside in the night. After Hurricane Matthew, they lost their home and were living under the salvaged roof. Ykenson's grandfather begged us to help relieve him of the worry he had of being able to properly care for his grandson, let alone his daughter, Ykenson's young mom. He came into Arise Children's Village in May of 2017 at three years old and quickly adapted to life with his new family. He no longer has to worry about the roof over his head.
2023
Leens
Leens Georgio is named after George Gauvin, our local Grand-Goave hospital, because this is where he was found. At just two weeks old, the nurses from the hospital who found him immediately called us to come get him. His mother was never found. He was added to the Metellus family in June 2017. He is a happy, healthy, thriving boy in Claudy and Berlin's care.
2023
Victoria
Altagracia Victoria’s mother was just 14 years old when she got pregnant. She did not know who the father was because she was being abused by multiple men. She left Altagracia with her grandfather who had no income and could not care for her. Her grandfather then passed her to a cousin and the cousin took her out of pity but really could not provide even her basic needs. Hoping to give her a better life, the cousin knew about Arise Children’s Village and asked if they would take her in. When she arrived into the village she was very malnourished and couldn’t breath properly. She was immediately taken to our clinic to receive medical care. Today, she is a healthy and happy little girl and growing up in the Metellus family.
2023
Vekenlove
One of three brothers...their mother lost her mind and abandoned the children in the summer of 2017, and they were left wandering the streets. (Mental illness is very common in Haiti) Their father also abandoned the family and no one knows where he went to. A neighbour woman took them in and contacted us. They are now in the loving care of Fenelon Jean Joseph and Mariana Hilaire at Arise Children's Village.
2023
Gilberson
One of three brothers...their mother lost her mind and abandoned the children in the summer of 2017, and they were left wandering the streets. (Mental illness is very common in Haiti) Their father also abandoned the family and no one knows where he went to. A neighbour woman took them in and contacted us. They are now in the loving care of Fenelon Jean Joseph and Mariana Hilaire at Arise Children's Village.
2023
2023
Vekenson
One of three brothers...their mother lost her mind and abandoned the children in the summer of 2017, and they were left wandering the streets. (Mental illness is very common in Haiti) Their father also abandoned the family and no one knows where he went to. A neighbour woman took them in and contacted us. They are now in the loving care of Fenelon Jean Joseph and Mariana Hilaire at Arise Children's Village.
Loude Mia
Loude Mia is from Grand Goave where she was living with her mother and grandfather but her mother left and never returned so she was left in the care of her grandfather who could not care for her by himself. He went in search for a place for her where she'd be safe and go to school. He found ARISE Children's Village and now Loude Mia is in the care of the Fenelon family.
2023
Maria
3 sisters Maria, Deseline, and Natacha are from a town in North West Haiti called Molest Nicolas and are the youngest of 14 children. Their mother was pregnant with the 15th but died during childbirth. Their father was so shocked and grief-stricken he passed away just 5 months later. After their parents died, all the kids were given to different family members. The 3 sisters were given to a relative who shortly after taking them in realized they couldn't care for them. Madame Fenelon's sister was on a mission trip to the area and heard their story and told Wilson our social worker who arranged for them to come to the Village. When they first arrived 2 of them were anemic, they all had skin irritations and were severely malnourished. The 3 sisters are now in the loving care of the Frédéric Family.
2023
Deseline
3 sisters Maria, Deseline, and Natacha are from a town in North West Haiti called Molest Nicolas and are the youngest of 14 children. Their mother was pregnant with the 15th but died during childbirth. Their father was so shocked and grief-stricken he passed away just 5 months later. After their parents died, all the kids were given to different family members. The 3 sisters were given to a relative who shortly after taking them in realized they couldn't care for them. Madame Fenelon's sister was on a mission trip to the area and heard their story and told Wilson our social worker who arranged for them to come to the Village. When they first arrived 2 of them were anemic, they all had skin irritations and were severely malnourished. The 3 sisters are now in the loving care of the Frédéric Family.
2023
Natacha
3 sisters Maria, Deseline, and Natacha are from a town in North West Haiti called Molest Nicolas and are the youngest of 14 children. Their mother was pregnant with the 15th but died during childbirth. Their father was so shocked and grief-stricken he passed away just 5 months later. After their parents died, all the kids were given to different family members. The 3 sisters were given to a relative who shortly after taking them in realized they couldn't care for them. Madame Fenelon's sister was on a mission trip to the area and heard their story and told Wilson our social worker who arranged for them to come to the Village. When they first arrived 2 of them were anemic, they all had skin irritations and were severely malnourished. The 3 sisters are now in the loving care of the Frédéric Family.
2023
Chilove
Chilove was raised in a single-parent family (father) with four other siblings. After giving birth to her little sister, her mother was anemic. She had difficulty breathing. The family situation was so critical, the father had no money to pay for health care for his wife and she died. At 5 years old, Chilove wasn’t going to school. She was living with her dad and 4 other siblings in a small house that could measure 3 meters by three meters. She and her siblings slept on pieces of dirty cloth that was giving them skin diseases.The situation of this family was really critical. She and her baby sister Dailove came to live in the village in December of 2019.
2023
Dailove
After giving birth to her twin brother, her mother became anemic and had difficulty breathing. The family's situation was critical. The father had no money to pay for health care and just a week later her mother passed away. Despite her father’s meager means, he thought he could take care of the baby and kept Dailove. After 3 months, her physical condition deteriorated rapidly and she became severely malnourished. Seeing his situation, a pastor affiliated with Haiti Arise asked us if we would come to see the child. After arriving in the south, it was found that the child was close to death because was not able to even drink water from a bottle. She didn’t have any strength left in her tiny body. She and her older sister Chilove were then brought to the village where Dailove received immediate medical care. She is now a healthy & happy girl in the loving care of the Fenelon family.
2023
Jameson
Jameson Louis was raised in a single-parent family (mother) with five other siblings. In 2019, his mother was affected by a disease and she passed away that June in Anse à veau. She left six (6) children including two boys and four girls who were living in a state of glaring misery. On the day of the mother's funeral one of her friends who lived in Grand Goave saw the child lying under a tree in the sun and was compelled, she asked the child's grandmother if she could care for him. The child was severely malnourished. Unfortunately, the guardian did not have sufficient financial means to take care of the child. She took him to a baby health/nutrition program offered at the Haiti Arise Clinic. It was there that the the clinic manager, after seeing the situation recommended the child be placed in the Children’s Village. The guardian agreed. He was 14 months old when he arrived at the Village. Now Jameson is in the loving home of the Frederic Family is doing extremely well. He’s a happy, healthy little boy.
2023
2023
Esther
The twins were born on Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Léogâne Holy Cross Hospital. Their father and mother are from Grand Goave. Their mother passed away just a few hours after giving birth to the second twin, a boy Eli. Sadly, they were prepared to sell the babies. The children's dad is unemployed. He has three other children in his care that he can't provide food for them. Immediately informed of the situation Pastor Marc went and decided that the children would be received in the village. We were even able to name them as they weren’t given names yet. Their names are Esther Lynn & Eli Sterling Laguerre. The twins are now in the loving care of our new family Milorvena Joseph & Joseph Max Desgazons in house 1A.
2023
Eli
The twins were born on Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Léogâne Holy Cross Hospital. Their father and mother are from Grand Goave. Their mother passed away just a few hours after giving birth to the second twin, a boy Eli. Sadly, they were prepared to sell the babies. The children's dad is unemployed. He has three other children in his care that he can't provide food for them. Immediately informed of the situation Pastor Marc went and decided that the children would be received in the village. We were even able to name them as they weren’t given names yet. Their names are Esther Lynn & Eli Sterling Laguerre. The twins are now in the loving care of our new family Milorvena Joseph & Joseph Max Desgazons in house 1A.
Trotsky
Trotsky’s family are from Grand Goave. After his mother gave birth to the twins (Eli & Esther) she died. After her death, all 3 of her children were in a very difficult situation. In fact they were prepared to sell the twins after they were born but thankfully we were able to take them into the village. Their father did not have the means or the money to take care of them. It was just a few months later someone advised the father to talk to Haiti Arise about taking in Trotsky too. After our social worker’s assessment it was decided the child was in a dire situation. So on January 8, 2023 Trotsky came to live in the village with his siblings. They are all in the loving care of the Desgazons family.
2023
Lorvencia
In the philosophy of the village, a family that is qualified to enter in the village to serve as parents, has right to have a child that is their own. So because of that, Lorvencia who is the biological child of Milorvena & Max Desgazons, automatically qualifies. She is a big older sister to the twins Eli & Esther and their older brother Trotsky.
2023
Deborah
In the philosophy of the village, a family that is qualified to enter in the village to serve as parents, has right to have a child that is their own. So because of that, Deborah who is the biological child of Jean Gilles & Louis Marie Mona Saintil, automatically qualifies. She is a big older sister now to Marlensky, Cheistie, David, Robensley, Kenley & Alann.
2023
Marlensky
Marlensky was born in Port-Au-Prince, and unfortunately his mother did not know who his father was. His mother had no means to take care of him so she gave him away to a lady in the area. After 6 months, the lady’s economic situation degraded, and she felt she could not keep the baby anymore. She gave the baby to a neighbour to look after who was originally from the Grand Goave area. Shortly after she returned to live in Grand Goave with Marlensky. 3 years later she became very ill and could not look after him. She contacted the office of Haiti Arise, told them of her situation and asked if we’d consider taking in the child. The social work made his evaluations and deemed it was necessary to help the child. He came to live in the village on August 10, 2022 and is one of the first kids that are now in the Saintil family.
2023
2023
Cheistie’s was just 2 years old when her father died, and her mother was left with 4 children. They were living in a small one room house in a small community near Petit Goave and had barely enough to get by. The situation was bad. A security guard who works for Haiti Arise, informed us of the situation. Our team made the trip to talk to her mother. The mother told us she was from Saint Marc city and when the cyclone went through in 2008, the water took away everything. After this happened a neighbour took her with him to Petit Goave to live. They had 4 children. One of them was Cheistie. After he died she gave 2 of the kids away and she was looking for to do the same with the other 2. She could not care for them and thought it best to give them away too. After our team did their evaluations, Cheistie was brought to the Children’s Village in May of 2023. She is now in the loving care of the Saintil family.
Cheistie
David was born in the mountains of Grand Goave. His mother was mentally unstable and no one knew who David's dad was. A neighbour contacted us at the village to ask us for help to see how we could save the little boy. His mother used to leave in dangerous places where violence was prevalent. The neighbour, a local leader helped to bring him to the village knowing he needed to be rescued from his situation immediately. David is now in the Saintil family and thriving. He arrived into the village in May of 2023.
David
2023
2023
2025
Robensley and his younger brother and little sister are from a small community in Camp Perrin in the south. His mother passed away in 2022. After his mother’s death, his father was left to care for all the children himself. The situation was very bad. Robensley was very malnourished. He was taking part in the USAID program in that area that help young children get proper nutrition but that program had ended. A spiritual leader in the community knew of Haiti Arise and the Children’s Village and informed us of the situation and the children's health. When our team when to access the situation we spoke with their father, he told us that he had 12 children from 2 different mothers. Sadly both of the women passed away and he was left to look after all the children alone. All the children were so badly malnourished that some days they would sleep all day. That is what happens when children spend a day without eating anything. They did not even have bread. He gave away 3 of the older children before we had heard of the situation. The 3 youngest still in his care, we knew we needed to rescue them. Our team deemed it an emergency situation so we went on August 3, 2023 to bring the children back to the village. Robensley was 6 years old. He is now in the loving care of the Saintil family with his brother and sister. After receiving food and care, they are all thriving. What a difference a few days made.
Robensley
Kenley and his older brother and little sister are from a small community in Camp Perrin in the south. His mother passed away in 2022. After his mother’s death, his father was left to care for all the children himself. The situation was very bad. Kenley was very malnourished. He was taking part in the USAID program in that area that help young children get proper nutrition but that program had ended. A spiritual leader in the community knew of Haiti Arise and the Children’s Village and informed us of the situation and the children's health. When our team when to access the situation we spoke with their father, he told us that he had 12 children from 2 different mothers. Sadly both of the women passed away and he was left to look after all the children alone. All the children were so badly malnourished that some days they would sleep all day. That is what happens when children spend a day without eating anything. They did not even have bread. He gave away 3 of the older children before we had heard of the situation. The 3 youngest still in his care, we knew we needed to rescue them. Our team deemed it an emergency situation so we went on August 3, 2023 to bring the children back to the village. Kenley was 3 years old. He is now in the loving care of the Saintil family with his brother and sister. After receiving food and care, they are all thriving. What a difference a few days made.
Kenley
2023
2025
Alann and her older brothers are from a small community in Camp Perrin in the south. Her mother passed away in 2022. After her mother’s death, her father was left to care for all the children himself. The situation was very bad. Alann was very malnourished. She was taking part in the USAID program in that area that help young children get proper nutrition but that program had ended. A spiritual leader in the community knew of Haiti Arise and the Children’s Village and informed us of the situation and the child’s health. When our team when to access the situation we spoke with her father, he told us that he had 12 children from 2 different mothers. Sadly both of the women passed away and he was left to look after all the children alone. All the children were so badly malnourished that some days they would sleep all day. That is what happens when children spend a day without eating anything. They did not even have bread. He gave away 3 of the older children before we had heard of the situation. The 3 youngest still in his care, we knew we needed to rescue them. Our team deemed it an emergency situation so we went on August 3, 2023 to bring the children back to the village. Alann was not quite 2 years old. She is now in the loving care of the Saintil family with her 2 brothers. After receiving food and care, they are all thriving.
Alann
2023
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