A Jefferson City-based nonprofit hopes to rebuild a Haiti orphanage heavily damaged in earthquakes.
Richard and Iva Presberry, of Hope for Caribbean Kids Inc., have started a fundraising campaign to replace the orphanage in Marre Blanche.
The missionaries have taken annual mission trips to Haiti, and are currently working in the Marre Blanche community, where they have built a six-room school and a multipurpose facility. The facility also serves as a temporary medical facility.
The nonprofit became involved with the God's Work For the Poor Children of Haiti orphanage in 2019, during the height of political unrest, shootings and kidnappings.
Hope for Caribbean Kids' Jean Desrosiers visited the orphanage and found it in dire straights. The building was crumbling, having gone through two earthquakes - in 2010 and 2021. The children at the orphanage "were eating something that did not look like food for humans," according to a Hope for Caribbean Kids news release.
"The children are in danger in their current facility," the release says. "Hope for Caribbean Kids, Inc., is asking others to join them in prayer that the building with hold until it can be torn down and rebuilt. They are also inviting everyone to become a part of the solution with financial donations of any amount."
The proposed cost to replace the orphanage is $83,000. About $40,000 has already been raised. To donate, make checks payable to Hope for Caribbean Kids, Inc., and mail to 101 Riverwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO, 65109 or visit www.hope4caribbeankids.org/donate.