Welcome to Kids Connection Haiti 2.0!
Hello friends, old and new. Welcome to Kids Connection Haiti 2.0!
Since Kids Connection Haiti has reached its 10 year anniversary and we are starting a new chapter in our history, a re-introduction is in place, especially for our new friends. My name is Astrid, I am the Founder and President of Kids Connection Haiti (KCH). I’m also the mom of Cian and Aidan - ages 13 & 15-, and to my one-year-old black lab/pitbull pup Rocco.
Growing up in the Netherlands, I always had the heart to help with orphans. It seems to be in my family genes. Twenty years ago, I signed up for a one-year volunteer mission and went to Haiti for the first time, to work with the kids at the “Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs” orphanage in the mountains of Kenscoff. I instantly fell in love with the country and its people. My one year mission turned into five heart filled years, before moving to the US, which I currently call home. My heart, however, never left Haiti or it’s children. It wasn’t the vast mountains or incredibly turquoise ocean, that captured my heart, it was my love for all the kids I met during my work for “Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs” orphanage. In spite of their traumatic pasts and most basic living circumstances, these little boys and girls with their bright smiles and warm hugs were radiant examples of hope, courage, humor, strength, and gratefulness. It’s these same kids who became the inspiration for Kids Connection Haiti.
You see, as the little ones become older, there’s no more space for them at an orphanage and at some point they will have to leave. A handful of fortunate ones find a job and all ends well. But for the vast majority of the orphans, the reality is that they have no family, no income, no education and turn to a life of living on the streets and being influenced into gangs, sex trade, crime, abusive relationships and other detrimental life situations. I couldn’t stop wondering, where I would be if it wasn’t for all these stable factors in my life. Would I be just another statistic? At the age of 18 (-ish), you become an adult and you chose which turn to take in life. But what if you have no choice? What if poverty is all you can envision? What if you don’t know there is another way? What if all you know is surviving? What happens to a child that grows up in a state of constant lack and fear?
Over the past ten years, KCH has offered education and a safe place to over 200 young men and women from orphanages, homelessness, and situations of abuse and despair. Without KCH they would not have the chance to finish high school, learn a trade, or go to university. We teach them basic life skills, offer career development workshops, integrate them in community service and internships and hold them accountable with a set of standards. KCH has ONE goal: to empower these young men and women to create stable and financially independent futures. My friends, thanks to your kindness, KCH has been successful. We have a 99% graduation rate, and a 92% paid employment rate after graduating from the KCH program. Your generosity is invaluable and impacting the lives of children who knew only lack and poverty. But your generosity does not stop with one generation, it impacts all future generations. Lack and poverty is no longer the norm.
Looking back at the past ten years is amazing, I am full of gratitude and hope. Looking forward I have more excitement and a vision for a greater impact. What are we envisioning for the next ten years? Growth -which is already happening! The need for post-orphanage services and education for orphaned young adults is in great demand. Haiti has over 700 orphanages and one million orphans! KCH will increase the number of young men and women dramatically. We started the September 2019 school year with an increase from 30 to 100 students, and foresee 250 students to start in September 2020. Larger numbers mean a need for more resources and physical space. We are working to expand our infrastructure, which includes a computer lab, a library, space for big group meetings & activities, group homes for vulnerable young women and office space. Our primary focus in 2020 will be on empowering young women from abusive situations and help them regain confidence, teach them skills and help find sustainable employment. Keep on following us and learn more about our upcoming project: a stable home for vulnerable young women.
~Astrid
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