visit to the Orphanage of Notre Dame De La Medaille Miraculeuse

Accompanied by another network support team member, I visited the Notre Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse orphanage, which has been operating for four years.  We had the opportunity of taking a tour of the entire compound with the assistance of the orphanage Director Mrs. Claudette Leconte, and Laurence Desvignes who supports the Haitian-run service.  At this present moment the orphanage has 104 children to care for, from the new born baby to sixteen year olds.

               

The main discussion points and outcomes of our visit:

We discussed their need of supplies and promoted the use of the Citizen Action Team Relief Database.

They currently have volunteer Medical Doctor that provides input once a fortnight.  She reported it would be benificial to have more medical input.

They discovered through a test a couple of months ago that the water being used at the orphanage is not very clean, and with the rapid spread of Cholerea it has made them increasingly concerned about their water supply.  Hannah agreed to provide a water purification kit as a trial.

They also reported they would be more than happy to have volunteers to help provide activities for the children, if they are able to provide their own accomadation and transport.

It was nice to see how happy the children were:  They gave me the impression they felt at home, they all had good manners, they would all be playing with their age rank, not so much running around and only would speak french to you not creole.