Editor's Note: While Haiti has experienced some progress, more attention needs to be devoted to the future of Haiti’s orphans, asserts founder and C.E.O. of the Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO), Dr. Jane Aronson, a leading expert on the world’s orphans who has just returned from a mission to assess the plight of thousands of Haitian orphans.
By Dr. Jane Aronson, edited by Jim Luce.
One-year after the devastating earthquake, I returned from a mission trip to Haiti on Jan. 28 to assess the plight of orphans and vulnerable children and identify specific needs for long-term assistance programs to improve the lives and well-being of thousands of Haiti’s orphans in the quake’s aftermath.
WWO Founder and CEO Dr. Jane Aronson with children from the Rosemina Foundation orphanage.
Since last year’s devastating earthquake, I found that Haiti has come a long way in its recovery. I have led several intensive mission trips to the island since the earthquake hit on Jan. 12, 2010. The Worldwide Orphans Foundation is committed to providing creative and transforming programs involving education, medical care and mental health for orphans.
Dr. Jane at Coeurs de Compassion orphanage with Djemsy and Clifford.
I see a new Haiti. Unlike current media coverage touting little progress, many NGOs working in Haiti since the earthquake -– and long before the earthquake struck -– are making significant progress in rebuilding the country under often challenging circumstances. It’s unfair to think that nothing has been done. I think that for a country with such a dark history, they have survived a tough year well.
UNICEF estimates that nearly 1.5 million children have seen their lives dramatically disrupted by the catastrophic quake, and many more remain at risk and require assistance and protection. Prior to the quake, nearly 380,000 orphaned children had already lost one or both parents according to UNICEF.
Photo of 3-year-old Christophe, a Haitian orphan who lost
his right leg in Haiti's earthquake, one year ago.
During the mission to Port-au-Prince, we visited orphanages to witness the living conditions and environment and hear directly from orphans and orphanage directors on their specific needs to tailor to WWO’s innovative programs. WWO programming in Haiti features psychosocial and development initiatives, which include global arts, sports and recreational programs, camps, and toy libraries.
WWO will also begin implementation of a new early intervention program, which trains and employs youth to work in orphanages to enhance the growth and development of orphans. UNICEF estimates that almost half of Haiti’s population is under 18 years of age.
While in Haiti, I wrote a series of journals on Haiti’s orphans. To read them, visit:
Journal from the Field #1
Journal from the Field #2
Journal from the Field #3
The orphanage wall displays Creole words, "Championa Timoun" or "Champion of Children".
Worldwide Orphans Foundation is an international organization dedicated to transforming the lives of orphaned children by taking them out of anonymity and helping them to become healthy, independent, productive members of their communities and the world. For more information, please visit our website. To view video clips on WWO’s work in action, visit here.
Photo of TapTap Express, a passenger van that WWO’s plan to utilize to carry out its long-term assistance programs in Haiti.
Dr. Jane Aronson is an internationally-renowned pediatrician specializing in orphans around the world. Known as the "Orphan Doctor," Dr. Aronson was recognized as one of Glamour magazine’s "Women of the Year" 2009 for her advocacy in drawing attention to the enormous needs of the world’s orphaned children. Dr. Aronson and a team of experts were in Haiti from Jan.25-28.
Background Links:
Worldwide Orphans Foundation
The Orphans Doctor website
Anderson Cooper 360 on Haiti's Children
Associated Press (AP) on Haiti's Children
New York Times on Haitian "Motherlode"
CBS News on Haiti's Children
Glamour Magazine on Dr. Jane Aronson
See also by Jim Luce:
"Orphan Doctor" Calls on World Community to End Orphan Crisis by Tackling Poverty
"Orphan Doctor" Dedicated to Tomorrow's Thought Leaders
Children | Haiti | International Development | Orphans | Orphans International Worldwide