Children's Ark of Haiti

Our Path to Children’s Ark of Haiti

My name is Trudy; my husband is Rod. I would like to tell the reader a little bit about our journey with Children’s Ark of Haiti. I will begin by saying my husband and I have had a blessed life. Throughout our marriage we have enjoyed opportunities to participate in helping those who are less fortunate, but we have felt in our hearts that we needed to do more. We weren’t sure how, or when, but it was in our plans to figure it out.

One April day in 2024 my friend, Renee, who had been sending a monthly donation for food to the orphanage, showed me, and others in our circle of friends, a picture of an adorable little Haitian boy named Hermano. He lived in an orphanage in Haiti, along with 72 other children. He had developed a large umbilical hernia. It had reached a point of extreme pain for him to where he could no longer go out and play with the other children. He spent much of his time crying. Unfortunately, in Haiti, no one can receive help from the hospital unless they have the funds up front to pay the bill. In this case, there was no funding to help this very sick little boy. He was one of 73 children who had been rescued by a kind and loving Pastor for the Eglise Nouvelle Jerusalem Church. His name is Sivenson Casymir. These children became orphans after a monumental hurricane tore through Haiti and killed many people.

Casymir, as we call him, made it his life mission to save these children. He acquired a piece of land, from the government, with an abandoned building on it to begin an orphanage. With the help of others, he was able to give them a roof over their heads, one meal per day which was usually rice, and some schooling.

When Renee showed us the picture of little Hermano, our hearts were touched and we felt the need to act quickly. We contacted Casymir and told him the money was on the way and to please get him to the hospital as soon as possible. Casymir kindly kept us informed with messages and pictures while at the hospital, and also when Hermano had recovered. His sad little face had turned into a healthy, smiling face. Our joy was beyond measure.

I want to explain to you that Renee’s friend, Kathie, had previously gone to Haiti to visit this orphanage and spend some time with the children. She enjoyed it very much, although the poverty was hard to witness. She stayed with the family of Casymir. This interaction gave us the trust and piece of mind we needed to move forward and see how we could help more. I asked Casymir to send us a list of needs the orphanage had and to prioritize them, which he did. Since that time, he has sent us every picture, bills and receipts, and other documentation we have asked him to provide. He keeps us well informed on every project.

Rod and I, as well as Casymir, Renee, and Kathie formed a small group to meet and find ways in which each of us could contribute to this cause.

Of course, food was at the top of the list of priorities. Right away, we were able to provide three healthy meals each day for the children. After two years, we have been able to have a well dug on the property, so they don’t have to continue to walk for miles and come back with buckets of dirty water. We purchased a motorcycle so Casymir wouldn’t have to pay fees each time he needed a ride somewhere. We have purchased fans for the orphanage as well as the church. We have provided cows and goats which have reproduced, 2,500 banana trees, and other fruits and vegetables which they will use for themselves as well as to sell. We provide educational expenses for the 73 orphanage students, as well as others in the community who just come for school. We also provide educational expenses for 14 other children who do not reside in or near the orphanage but have no financial means to attend public school. It is of utmost importance that these children receive an education so they can provide for themselves in the future.

There was a young girl who had aged out of the program. She was expecting a baby and was on the floor in extreme pain. Casymir sent us a message to pray for her. She and her baby were in danger of losing their lives. The funds were immediately sent. This young girl required an emergency C-Section, which she had. Both mother and baby Heyden survived. The feeling which comes from participating in such a meaningful event cannot be put into words.

Then a new problem arose. We were informed that she was released from the hospital but had nowhere to go. She and her baby were at risk of being harmed, or even killed, by the gangs in the streets. We knew we had to act quickly.  We bought a piece of property which had a well on it. We built a home large enough for both Casymir’s family and also the new mother and baby. They have joined together as a happy family.

Our joy is full, but there is still so much to do. They have no toilets or showers, which we are trying to acquire the funding for as soon as possible. They need more funds for food, clothing, medicine, and supplies, and a storage space for food and other supplies. They need bunk beds to sleep on, as they now just use a blanket on the floor, and they need mosquito nets to protect their bodies while they sleep. They need solar at the orphanage so they can have some electricity. They would like to have a television to assist in their learning, and also to enjoy some fun movies at times. They need more cows and goats. We have provided a few bicycles, tricycles, balls, jump ropes, etc. for the children to go outside and get some exercise, but we would ultimately like to build a playground with a swing set, slippery slide, basketball hoop, soccer balls and nets, jungle gym, and teeter-totter. These, as well as many other things, will help Casymir and those who assist him to provide a healthy, happy life for those precious children who are truly ‘the least of these.’ Many thanks to Casymir who is devoting his life to take care of them.

We are in the process of working through a 501c3 organization called No End To Love, so those wishing to participate, but want to use tax-deductible dollars, are able to do so.

We are happy with our past efforts, but there is still much to do. I hope the reader will feel, as we have, the desire to share with them. Their lives depend on us opening our hearts.

Thank you for your interest. You can contact Trudy and Rod at rodpearce61@gmail.com, or 385-421-1950.