The orphanage started out by accident when an entrepreneur from Ontario came to Haiti to avoid the attentions of Revenue Canada. He came to the coastal village of Martinette to set up a strip club/bordello and ended up feeding local hungry kids peanut butter sandwiches. He gradually realized how many children had been abandoned in the neighbourhood and began to take them in. His neighbour was a Christian involved in aid shipments and he began to help. Eventually he had a spiritual awakening and turned his den of ill repute into a place of hope for orphans, vulnerable children and young mothers.
It accommodates about 50 children, some orphans, some with their mothers. The organization runs a school and aims to provide food, shelter, education and a meaningful transition into adult life. They also run a community health clinic which was pristine, well equipped and efficiently run by a paramedic from Ontario, a nurse practitioner from Iowa and a Haitian Midwife. The organization also supports a couple of jewellery workshops which provide meaningful employment to women who might otherwise resorted to dire means to make ends meet.
The group had a very positive time interacting with kids who have had some trying times. There were many tragic stories: rescued child slaves, a girl rescued from ritual Vodoun abuse, a 15 year old and her 28 wk baby, a little girl with osteogenesis imperfecta who just wanted to go to school when no regular school would take her. All of them were very cute and friendly and we all found friends. We gave out toys and clothes, played games and cuddled babies. It was with heavy hearts that we had to leave to return to Bernard Mevs.
The visit however was far from the depressing and sad event I expected and I left with a renewed faith in the basic goodness of humanity. They were extremely hospitable and provided the most delicious lunch we have had here. It was Katrina's birthday and they even sang Happy Birthday and provided a cake which was very touching. A birthday she will not soon forget.
To explain the starfish reference : a man was walking along a beach and found lots of starfish stranded by the tide, dying in the sun. He began to throw them back in the sea. A little girl came up to him and said ' You are a fool, you can't save all of them!' He replied ' Maybe so but I saved this one!'
That is the philosophy of this organization: they can't save all the abandoned and vulnerable children of Haiti but they can make a difference to some. They can provide some hope in a country which badly needs some.
For further information see their website: tytoogardens.ca
They are on Facebook also: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tytoo-Gardens-Orphanage/228173623933912?hc_location=timeline
Pictures to follow when my devices are charged!
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