2024 Newsletter

 2024 has continued to be one of strife and struggle for those living in Haiti. Prices for all products have continued to skyrocket for those things that you can still purchase. Costs at Open Doorways Orphanage have gone from an average of $3000 US per month to about $4700 US per month this year. For this reason, we have had to ask Gerald Augustin (our manager in Haiti) to make some hard decisions. We needed him to try and cut back about $1000 US per month as our funds are quickly depleting. We asked that he cut back on staffing as all of the children are now young adults and have been helping with daily chores around the orphanage. Rather than lay off staff, Gerald has cut all staff back to half time as some employment is better than none! As well, we suggested they try to grow a garden or get chickens to help with food costs. Gerald said that they do not have a good source of water for a garden but they did get chickens. Yay! The children are involved in the care of the chickens and are benefitting from a good source of protein. We hope that these two measures will be enough to get us back on track financially.

The school year in Haiti began on October 1. Three of the children expect to graduate this year and hope to continue their education at a university next fall. This, of course, will depend on the political situation in Haiti.

In late summer, we were surprised by a very brief visit from Gerald Augustin in Beausejour! He had been invited to Winnipeg by Bethel Missions who supply lunches and Christian support to several schools in Haiti including the one that our children attend. A few past and present ODO board members met with Gerald and he gave them a brief overview of how things in Haiti were at the moment. He assured us that despite the terrible political situation in Haiti at the present that the children and orphanage are in a well protected area. Many local people have formed a police like organization and are successfully keeping the gangs our of the area. The hospital continues to operate and the people are able to get to and from work and school in relative safety. However, supplies are hard to get as very little gets into or out of the area. Gerald himself has had to flee to the USA earlier this year. As a successful business man and local minister at his church, he was a prime target for kidnapping by gangs. Gerald is in daily phone contact with the staff and children at the orphanage.

Meanwhile, in Canada, the board of directors for ODO have been busy trying to make ends meet as well. Della Markham held several watercolour classes for both adults and children in the spring and fall. She donates all of the funds that she raises to the orphanage. So far this year, Della has donated $1400 from painting class fees alone!

At the Beausejour Ladies Golf Tournament in August, we held a putting contest and raised $105. Again this year, the ODO board held a smokie and hot dog sale at the Shades of the Past Car Show in Beausejour. Due to the weather and other conditions beyond our control, we did not sell out like last year and were only able to raise $450 for the orphanage.

In September, we held a Tribute to Patsy Cline concert with local performing artist Laurie Sutherland. This event raised $1610 and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

As you can see, the board of directors have been busy trying to raise the extra funds needed to run the orphanage this year. That being said, we are really in need of your continued support. We gladly accept one time and monthly donations. Please check out the donation information here on the website or visit our Facebook page. We will also gladly come out to your organization and make a presentation and answer your questions. Early this fall, we did just that at the Willowdale Church in Cooks Creek. We will gladly do the same for you. And don’t forget: 100% of the funds that you donate go directly to our orphanage in Haiti! Please continue to keep Open Doorways Orphanage in your hearts and prayers.