Nelson’s family abandoned him after his mother died in 2012. They left him in a room alone, where he sat for days. When locals found him, they took him to his uncle, but he could not care for him. He lived with a family that practiced voodoo and mistreated him.  When he did eat, he got scraps from the table. He had never been to school or seen a doctor. He is from Laborde. Nelson did not know how to smile when he was rescued. He now has a safe place to live at Freedom House and is always smiling.

DieKris is from the mountain village of Laborde where he was working to provide for himself.  He had never gone to school or had shoes on his feet. His mother passed away and his father abandoned him when he was younger. Before he was rescued, he was malnourished and had worms. His little brother, Diefene also lives at the Freedom House where they have a new life together. He now knows Jesus and lives a joyful life.

Diefene lived as a restavek (child slave) with an older family member who is believed to be his cousin. His mother passed away and his father abandoned him when he was young. He is from Laborde. Diefene had never been to school or worn a pair of shoes.  Before being rescued, he was malnourished and had worms. He was lucky to have one meal a day.  His older brother, DieKris also lives at the Freedom House, where they have a new life together.

Chinayder lived with his father, and his mother had passed away from cholera when he was very young. He is from Laborde. Chinayder had some severe dental and medical issues that needed to be treated. His father was worried he could not provide the medical attention Chinayder needed living in the mountains where there was no access to medical care. He left the mountains for this reason and now lives at the Freedom House. Today he is healthy and always has a smile for you.

Rony came from a bad situation in the mountains. His family died and he was living with people that made him work for his food. He was a restavek (child slave). He had never brushed his teeth or seen a doctor. He is from Laborde. He wanted a change in his life. Prior to being rescued Rony did not know Jesus. Now he knows Jesus and learns more about Him everyday. Despite his lack of education, Rony is a very bright student.

While Kendy was not a restavek (child slave), he nevertheless had an extremely difficult life. His father died, leaving his mother with 7 children to care for. His brother had recently passed away from malnutrition when Kendy was rescued. Kendy suffered from severe malnutrition and was labeled “at risk”. He had no shoes, no decent clothes, and had never been to school. He lived in extreme poverty. He also had worms and dental problems. He is from Laborde.

Jolesse is one of 10 children. His mother died giving birth to his sibling, who also died.  Jolesse’s father could not provide for him. He came to the Freedom House with his younger brother, Revy. He was malnourished with no shoes and no opportunity for education. Jolesse’s family situation was considered one of the worst.  He is from Laborde. Jolesse is full of energy and loves to play games.

Micheline is from Laborde. Her mother abandoned her, and her father passed away. Her conditions were worse than those of the other kids in the house, and it was presumed she was a restavek (child slave). She had medical needs and had never attended school.  She had extreme behavioral issues and didn’t want anyone to hold her.  She did not own shoes and wore tattered clothing. It took her a while to trust people once arriving at Freedom House.  Her life is already drastically different, and smiles have replaced misery.

Prospere’s mother passed away, leaving him and 2 sisters with their father who could not provide for them. All of the children were malnourished, had worms and scabies.  Prospere was chosen with the hope that he could one day help provide for his family after receiving an education. He is from Laborde. Prospere is a caring young man and an absolute blessing to have at the Freedom House.

Diekilene lived as a restavek (child slave). Her mother abandoned her and her father passed away when she was very young. She lived in extreme poverty and did not own shoes or decent clothing and was in need of urgent dental treatment. She was lucky to have one meal a day. She is from Laborde. Diekilene is an independent little girl, no doubt that trait is attributed from her previous lifestyle. She can be a little shy at times but is always a pleasure to be around.

Stael’s father passed away and he was abandoned by his mother.  His grandmother was caring for him but she wasn’t able to provide proper nutrition, clothing or an education. He was lucky to get one meal a day and suffered from malnutrition.  Stael is extremely smart and had previously received some education before arriving to the Freedom House. He is a very charismatic boy who likes to make others laugh.

Mikel is from the mountains overlooking Leogane, a small town southwest of Port-au-Prince. He was living with a family as a restavek (child slave) because his parents had died when he was very young.  He was malnourished and had no opportunity to ever receive an education. Since coming to the Freedom House Mikel has proven to be a quick learner, and quickly blended in at the Freedom House. He is loved by all and a joy to be around.

Lodjina was born in Cite Soleil, an area filled with violence and extreme poverty. It is considered one of the most dangerous slums in the western hemisphere. Her father was shot and killed, and her mother abandoned her when she was a baby. She was living with an aunt that was not taking good care of her. Lodjina now knows Jesus and is full of life. She is always smiling and loves to be the center of attention.

Rose Kaline comes from a beautiful area in Haiti called Saint Michele d’Latalye.  It is known as a hub for voodoo activity. Both of her parents died when she was very young and she was living as a restavek (child slave). Rose Kaline is small for her age.  When she was rescued she was severely malnourished, had a belly full of worms and scabies. The house she came from was very small and filled with a lot of people. She is very witty, and makes the other kids laugh all the time.

Ricot is from the southern peninsula of Haiti in a city called Les Cayes. His father died, and his mother is mentally handicapped. She could not take care of him.  Ricot has a medical condition that makes it difficult for him to speak. He has made a lot of progress since he was rescued. He now lives in the Freedom House with his older brother Jameson. He is learning about Jesus and says he wants to preach when he grows up.

Jameson is from a city in the southern peninsula of Haiti called Les Cayes. His father died, and his mother is mentally handicapped. She could not take care of him. He lived as a restavek (child slave) with other family members in a small one-room house. Jameson searched the streets for food to provide for himself. He had worms in his belly, and was very behind in school. His little brother, Ricot, also lives at the Freedom House where they now have a new life together. Jameson likes to bend the rules sometimes but is always a pleasure to be around.

Rachel is from a very rural area in the mountains called Laborde. Many of the children at the Freedom House are from this area. This area has no schools, churches or medical facilities. The poverty level is by far the worst our Haitian missionaries had ever seen. Many of the children in this area were being used as slaves (restaveks) or living in extreme life threatening poverty. Prior to coming to the Freedom House Rachel had been living in another children's home for a year that had to close it's doors. Her older brother, Prospere, lives at the Freedom House and is very happy to be reunited with his sister. Rachel now has the opportunity to get an education and has hope for a bright future!

Mackenson is from a rural mountainous area called Laborde. He is the one of four children in his family. His mother and father could not provide enough food to feed them all so they gave him to his uncle to work as a restavek (child slave).  Eventually his uncle sent him to a place where he could go to school but he had no one to live with there. Wesly heard about the situation and gave him a place to live and hope for a future. Mackenson fits in well with the other children at the Freedom House. He is very quiet, kind and always ready to help others.

Ronaldo is Rony's younger brother. He is from the rural mountainous area of Laborde. They came from a very bad situation of abuse and neglect. He was at very high risk of becoming a restavek (child slave). He had never brushed his teeth, seen a doctor or attended any school or church. Ronaldo did not know Jesus while he was living in Laborde. He now has the chance to learn all about Jesus and that he is cherished and loved by God. Ronaldo is a very happy little boy and always has a smile on his face.

Lidiane came to Freedom House with her younger sister, Lina. She is from Laborde. Her father died and her mother could not care for her. Lidiane had never gone to school and was living in very poor conditions. She did not have decent clothes, was not able to brush her teeth, and had never owned a pair of shoes. She was lucky to receive one meal a day, if at all. She now has Christ in her heart and loves her new life.

Lina came to Freedom House with her older sister, Lidiane. She is from Laborde. Her father died and her mother could not care for her. Lina had never gone to school and was living in very poor conditions. She did not have decent clothing, was not able to brush her teeth, and had never owned a pair of shoes. She was lucky to receive one meal a day, if at all. Lina is one happy little girl now and always has a smile to share.

CelaFwa is from Laborde. CelaFwa lived with his mother in extreme poverty. His father died, and his mother had 3 children to raise on absolutely no income. CelaFwa was lucky to receive one meal a day. He had worms and was very malnourished, with no shoes and no way of going to school. CelaFwa is full of love to give and never turns away an opportunity to receive or give a hug.

Pierre Rene is from Laborde. He lived with a family that mistreated him, and made him work as a restavek (child slave). They abused him daily and didn’t feed him. He often went without food for long periods of time. Pierre Rene had never gone to school, never slept in a bed, and never had anyone that loved him. His mother left him as a baby, and his father was killed years ago. He says that now he has love through his salvation in Jesus.

Revy is one of 10 children. His mother died giving birth to his sibling, who also died. Revy’s father could not provide for him. He came to the Freedom House with his older brother, Jolesse. He was malnourished with no shoes and no opportunity for education.  Revy’s family situation was considered one of the worst. He is from Laborde. Revy is full of energy and is loved by all who know him.

Lovensky is a little guy with a tough demeanor. He was approximately 18 months old when he arrived. He was born in Mirebalais but his family is from Laborde. His mother left him in a small open air room for 15 hours a day alone. When she picked him up, she gave him sleeping pills so she didn’t have to deal with him. He was malnourished and had some other health problems. He never knew his father. His mother did not care what happened to him and freely released him to missionaries. However, God does care about this little boy and now Lovensky has many people that love and care for him.

Wilnise’s family lost their home in the earthquake of 2010, and the father, a voodoo priest, left shortly after. Her mother’s leg was badly burned in a house fire, and she struggles to walk, much less take care of her 3 children. They are all malnourished and struggle to survive in their shack in a poverty-stricken area of Port-au-Prince. Her mother visits when she is able. Wilnise loves showing her her photo book with pictures of her biological family and her new Freedom House family. Wilnise is a loving and precious young lady to be around.

Francky is an amazing young man from a very poor area in Haiti. Francky’s family lives in extreme poverty. They hope that he can provide for them once he receives an education.  He shows lots of potential to be able to provide for his family one day. His entire family is malnourished, has no shoes and no decent clothing. He is from Laborde, Francky shows leadership skills and loves learning about Jesus. He is a great role model to all the other children.