So much has changed here since Christmas, you can say that the orphanage is looking “like new”. With the help of the volunteers we have painted the entire interior of the . . . → Read More: “Behold, the new has come” (Cor 5:17)]]> The expectations of Easter in Haiti for the three of us can be summed up into one biblical phrase: “Behold, the new has come” (Cor 5:17)

So much has changed here since Christmas, you can say that the orphanage is looking “like new”. With the help of the volunteers we have painted the entire interior of the house, organized a small infirmary for the children, and planted lots of flowers and citrus. We have mounted several of the children’s beds that arrived in the container, and we no longer have four children sharing a bed. The old, thin sponge pads that they had been sleeping with are now replaced with used mattresses, which are actually in great condition. The cook and housekeeper no longer sleep on the floor; they now have their own little room and beds. We purchased and painted 50 new chairs for the kids, as well as having formed a small library, study room, and play room for them. Through the goodness of your hearts and your donations we can proudly say: The Cardinal Stepinac Children Center is a new place, adjusted to the needs of our orphans.

God has blessed us with some other “news”: the little boy with tuberculosis has recovered and returned to our orphanage from the hospital. His return to our home was the greatest gift for his first birthday. We celebrated modestly, but the children continue to mention the cake and sweets that we made through straight improvisation with the ingredients we had on hand. The incidents of skin infections are all the more rare since the hygienic conditions and nutrition is increasingly better.
We look at the children and cannot help but be amazed at how much they have grown, their skin is shinier and their hair all the stronger. We are very grateful for the vitamins that you have sent us. Another piece of good news is that our boy with scoliosis is in the process of obtaining a visa and the possibility of an operation that would significantly increase the quality of his life is looking more and more likely.

We have begun some English courses for the children. They have learned so much in these past few months: that you don’t throw garbage on the floor, everyone has a toothbrush that only they use… and even their games are new. When we first arrived they were trying to convince us that a Frisbee was actually a plate, but now they can be seen playing with it in the yard as their new favorite game. New puzzles, storybooks, videocassettes, various toys… with your decisions to send these to the children, you have uncovered a joyful and playful life for them – thank you for that!

Easter is a holiday of hope. Let us cherish our hope and continue to work together for the benefit of our children and for the glory of God. May He bless you and your families with peace and joy… Happy Easter!

Beta, Sandra, Marija & kids

The year is off to a great start. After anxiously waiting for the arrival of the containers, the disappointment that came with the realization that the Christmas gifts for the children would not arrive in time, and an all too common need for a male hand for both little and not-so-little repairs . . . → Read More: Father Gio on a visit to see his orphans]]> Father Gio in Haiti

The year is off to a great start. After anxiously waiting for the arrival of the containers, the disappointment that came with the realization that the Christmas gifts for the children would not arrive in time, and an all too common need for a male hand for both little and not-so-little repairs around the house, in January all things seemed to come together. The container arrived, and a sense of relief came with it. But most importantly, at the end of January it brought Father Gio to us. Shouts of happiness could be heard as soon as he stepped foot into the orphanage, hugs and little voices exclaiming “Per Gio, Per Gio!”
The children were delighted, but we were even more thrilled. There is food for the soul and God’s love in every child’s smile. Our favorite workaholic went straight to work and in a few days rid us of some frustrations that we had been contemplating for days. Shelves for the infirmary and orphanage, food depot, tool room – everything quickly became the best it could be.
Mass by candlelight, with no electricity, mosquitoes, and the unavoidable sounds of never tiring Port-au-Prince are the norm. But there is much thankfulness for every trouble, sadness and happiness all at the same time, the togetherness through all the discouragement, as well as the immeasurable joy of helping those most in need. Fr. Gio’s three week long stay with us translated into a ton of work done under his direction. He even managed to build a chicken roost completely. He had a life lesson whenever he brought the children some sweets. “Do you know why I am here?” – Fr. Gio asked the children. “Because you love us!” – replied several of them in unison. “Then imagine how much God loves you”, replied Father with insight. And that was followed by what would normally be impossible, but in this case completely manageable, a great hug with seven children in his arms.
For the three of us here, Fr. Gio is a man and priest who is such an inspiration, in his love for our orphans, in his tolerance and patience, and in the spirit that he blesses us with every single day.

After three weeks here he returned home, blessing us with words of encouragement. We now have a lot of work ahead of us, with plenty more lectures on patience and tolerance, nevertheless we are more than happy and our “batteries” are charged. With this new enthusiasm we continue going forward for our kids.

A big thank you to all who continue to support us and keep up with our latest news. Thank you for your generosity, for the hearts that have room for the poor. Thank you friends and may God bless you.

A special thank you to the friends of Father Gio who have paid us a visit – Sijedom i Mariju– for all the laughs, jokes, bravery and the greatest set of stairs the world has ever seen! Franceska and Denci – for all the hugs and meals good enough to lick your fingers, and for all the motherly understanding.

Good people, thank you all, because without you Croatian Relief would be nothing.
God bless you all!

Beta, Marija, Sandra and the children

Two years ago, at 4:53 in the afternoon on January 12, 2010, the earth shrugged and added another chapter to the sequence of tragedies that define Haiti’s history. A devastating 7 magnitude earthquake killed an estimated 300,000 people, destroyed 80 percent of the capital city of Port-au-Prince and left more than a million . . . → Read More: 2nd anniversary of the devastating earthquake]]> Dear friends, donors, supporters…

Two years ago, at 4:53 in the afternoon on January 12, 2010, the earth shrugged and added another chapter to the sequence of tragedies that define Haiti’s history. A devastating 7 magnitude earthquake killed an estimated 300,000 people, destroyed 80 percent of the capital city of Port-au-Prince and left more than a million Haitians homeless. Nearly all public buildings were destroyed, and with them much of a generation of civil servants, doctors, nurses, engineers, professors and students. The world responded immediately and with a generosity and for a while things looked optimistic for the future. Today, two years later, the outlook for Haiti’s future is probably worse than ever. The poorest country of the Western hemisphere before the earthquake, today is the poorest country in the whole wide world. The media spotlight has moved away from Haiti. Cameras are gone, controversy related to human rights, lousy conditions in tent cities are old news but for most of Haitians everyday life. The big international entities with histories in Haiti, like the U.N. and the United Nations Development Program, remain, but much of the promised aid money was never delivered and Haiti is more desperate than ever. The consensus, in Haiti and abroad, is that little progress has been made, and a sense of pessimism has enveloped the country and its million-strong overseas community.
But beyond disappointment at the slow progress of reconstruction, many Haitians and Haitian Americans have begun to lose faith. Politics, racial issues and different interests need to be overcome for this poor Caribbean nation of 10 million to move forward.
It breaks my heart seeing these proud people drowning deeper and deeper but still trying to stay on the surface. At the same time it fills my heart with pride and hope seeing how much we have done with your help and prayers for the most needy ones. Blessed are you and your generous hearts for providing a better life for our Haitian orphans and truly making a difference in this world.

Thank you, God bless you and Haiti

Baby Widson is our youngest orphan. He came to us when he was only 22 days old. His mother died while delivering him, and his father gave him away because he wasn’t able to feed him. Widson was our Easter carol, and this Christmas is going to be his first . . . → Read More: “She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.” Lk 2.]]> Our youngest wishes you a merry Christmas

Baby Widson is our youngest orphan. He came to us when he was only 22 days old. His mother died while delivering him, and his father gave him away because he wasn’t able to feed him. Widson was our Easter carol, and this Christmas is going to be his first Christmas with the only family he will ever know. Like baby Jesus, there was no room for him when he came to this world, but Lord found a place for this little soul and gave him a home in our orphanage among 47 others with similar destinies.

Today, Widson is a wonderful baby  with the biggest eyes I’ve ever seen, and he has conquered our hearts for good. I was holding him in my arms today and told him the story of the most holy birth, of our little Lord. He was staring at me without blinking, almost as if he understood what I was talking about. So, he was given to us, warmed our hearts and souls and us brought new joy, and every time I look at him I find purpose all over again…

So please, keep your faith and cherish it, we need you, this baby needs you… all our kids need you…

Once again, if Widson could talk, I’m sure he’ d thank you and wish you a wonderful Christmas.

God bless you!

“Don’t be afraid!” Angel said.
“I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord  has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”  Luke 2.

Wishes for a merry Christmas from the Children

Dear friends, supporters, donors…

Our big family: all the kids, nannies, volunteers, our staff in New Jersey and wider, on behalf of Croatian Relief Services, wish you all a Merry and blessed Christmas, may baby Jesus bring you joy and happiness, continue to . . . → Read More: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas…]]> Jean Richard, Edly & Lovely singing Christmas song

Wishes for a merry Christmas from the Children

Dear friends, supporters, donors…

Our big family: all the kids, nannies, volunteers, our staff in New Jersey and wider, on behalf of Croatian Relief Services, wish you all a Merry and blessed Christmas, may baby Jesus bring you joy and happiness, continue to bless your hearts, homes and your dearest ones.

We are endlessly  grateful to you for helping these wonderful and amazing children in building their futures, giving them hope for a better life and changing the perspective of this sad country. As we cannot thank you enough, we know Jesus will thank you for us…

Happy and blessed holidays with best wishes,

Croatian Relief Services

After two months spent home in Croatia, I came back to my second family here in Port-au-Prince.

This time I was accompanied with Elizabeta Letincic, a 27 year old religion teacher from Zagreb as well as pastor Tomislav Debelic from the Croatian island of Susak, and father Gio’s parishioner  Mr. Albino.

Pastor Tomislav and Albino . . . → Read More: Home is where your heart is]]> Dear friends and supporters,

This time I was accompanied with Elizabeta Letincic, a 27 year old religion teacher from Zagreb as well as pastor Tomislav Debelic from the Croatian island of Susak, and father Gio’s parishioner  Mr. Albino.

Pastor Tomislav and Albino stayed with us for 5 days on their 1st visit to Haiti. As they both said, it’s very difficult to try to explain to people how chaotic, desperate and poor this island and it’s people are. And at the same time, they both agreed they’ve never seen so much willingness and hope to still go further no matter how bad obstacles on that road might be. And they are bad, trust me.

We all visited the shelter and hospital of Missionaries of Charity here in Port-au-Prince where we spent some time with the most needy ones, malnourished children.

“Bondye wè tout bagay, e li pa ta dwe frisonen …” (God sees everything (and he wouldn’t be thrilled… if I do that) came out of Faustin’s mouth when I asked him to kill a cockroach that scared me. Even though he wasn’t comfortable that he had to refuse my wish, he looked at me straight in the eyes . . . → Read More: Give, and you will receive more rewards than you can imagine]]>

Manis

“Bondye wè tout bagay, e li pa ta dwe frisonen …” (God sees everything (and he wouldn’t be thrilled… if I do that) came out of Faustin’s mouth when I asked him to kill a cockroach that scared me. Even though he wasn’t comfortable that he had to refuse my wish, he looked at me straight in the eyes and said no. But, immediately I was the one that felt ashamed. This boy is seventeen, his mother died when he was a baby, his father is terminally ill and lives far in a province. Faustin doesn’t go to school, but he is grateful for a job he does and strongly believes that God has His reasons for creating things the way they are. And he is truly happy, truly faithful and one of the best people I’ve ever met. And he taught me and teaches me every day what Jesus taught us and wanted us to follow. Of love and respect, every day, all the time. All the creatures. I apologized immediately for even asking him to do that…
I had lessons in my life, some were bad, some were great. But I never had a lesson like this one from a seventeen year old boy. And I’m so grateful for it. Teach people to love and then you won’t have to punish them, ever. Teach your children to love and you’ll secure their future. Trust me, I never felt closer to what Jesus teaches us, then when I’m in Haiti. Life in Haiti is so much more intense, in every possible way. Seeing outrageous poverty, famine and at the same time extraordinary ability of surviving, taught me not to take things and people for granted. Not to take life for granted. Because today you are, and today you might not be. And all that counts is how much you loved and been loved. And that includes helping somebody/anybody who needs your help. We have a luxury of chance, of making choices. Thank God. Well, Haiti doesn’t. Haiti made me to make my choices and decisions wiser and with more courage and compassion. And I thank God every day for that. In Haiti, when you are hungry, you die. If you are sick, you die. If you don’t have water, you’ll get sick and then you die.
Life is very plain in Haiti. And when the sky is clear, you get the better picture, right? So, my lesson was very clear to me. And I’m so proud that this kid taught me a lesson for life, that through ‘very everyday’ situation he reminded me to love and respect every God’s creature, because I do not have right to take life, I do not know which day is my last day and because I’m here to help to preserve life, from every possible aspect.

And, basically, because life is much better when you try to be better. When you give your best, all the time, as much as you can…
So Junior (21), Faustin (17), and Manis (24) are kids that taught me how to live better and how to try to be better without expecting anything in return. Because – give and you will receive more rewards than you can imagine.

And thank You all for helping us to help them… God bless you!