One of the questions we often encounter is, “Why do we make our Children’s Homes into a permanent home for restavek kids rather than pursuing adoption?” It’s a fair question. In an ideal world, every child would have a stable family with loving parents. But that’s not our reality.

Adoption is not always reliable or feasible. It can be an extremely long and expensive process which is a challenge for many families, let alone those already struggling to provide for themselves. In addition, many children have complex medical, emotional, or social needs that make adoption difficult. In either case, we believe that we can bridge the gap this leaves by providing education, community, and love through our Children’s Homes.

The kids in our Mercy and Regency Homes receive training and education that will equip them to be self-sufficient in Haitian society. Through our vocational training center, children will learn hard skills like carpentry, masonry, welding, baking, and sewing—specific, technical abilities that are in high demand in many industries and can lead to stable, well-paying livelihoods in the future. The rest of our kids’ experience, from school classes and sports games to church events, helps them develop soft skills (like communication, teamwork, and problem solving). All of these things help prepare kids to build strong friendships, communities, and eventually families of their own.

The benefits of this holistic approach extend beyond the individual child. By providing these children with the skills they need to build successful careers and relationships, we are investing in the future of Haiti. Children who receive education and training are more likely to be self-sufficient, contribute to society, and support their families. They are more likely to break the back of slavery in their nation.

By investing in the infrastructure and support systems necessary to make it possible, we are taking a step of faith. Every building we construct and every VBS we sponsor is an act of belief saying, “with God, all things are possible.” In our Children’s Homes, we want to provide more than temporary housing while kids hope for an adoption that might never come. We want each of our children to know that with us, they are home.

To learn more about how to get involved with our ministry to rescued restaveks, visit our Support Us page.