Safe Shelter: New Compound

Since having to evacuate our old compound in April, our team has been searching for safe, more permanent shelter for the children, families, and other IDPs in our care. We thank the Lord that they've found a place suitable for everyone and are now needing to cover crucial relocation and clean water costs. Will you partner with our team on the ground to provide safe shelter for these friends displaced by gang violence? 

PLEASE READ - Report of Events from our Team on the Ground:

On the night of March 31, 2025, Mirebalais, Haiti was thrown into chaos as heavily armed gangs stormed the city in a coordinated and violent attack. The invasion brought widespread destruction, leaving a trail of trauma and devastation. Armed groups targeted private homes, individuals, and government institutions. They set fires, looted, and violently disrupted the peace of this once-stable community. 

This assault resulted in tragic loss of life and sparked panic across town. The families who were able to flee did so with only the clothes on their backs, escaping under the cover of darkness. Many parents carried their small children to safety, often with no destination in mind—only with the desperate hope of escaping the destruction. Countless people on the run — including small children — were forced to sleep in the open, on sidewalks, in fields, or huddled beneath strangers’ porches. Some fled to nearby towns not yet affected by gang violence, settling temporarily in public squares or seeking refuge on church grounds and makeshift shelters. 

Among those most impacted by the unfolding crisis were the children and staff of the GVCM Children’s Home. With the streets overrun and no guarantee of safety, our courageous team made the difficult decision to evacuate and move to a safer location. 

In an urgent and precarious operation, the GVCM Children’s Home was transferred to a temporary site about two hours away. The journey was fraught with danger and uncertainty, with broken-down vehicles. By God’s grace and the unwavering commitment of our caregivers, 328 people were transported to safety, including some of our church members who traveled with us. Upon our arrival, we were graciously welcomed by a local church group that offered a sanctuary amidst the crisis. This display of solidarity and Christian love has been a lifeline for the children in their moment of greatest need. 

However, while this site provides safety from violence, it lacks nearly all basic infrastructure required for sustainable and dignified living. The current situation threatens to undo years of investment from the generosity of GVCM’s donors and the children’s caregivers. The facilities are overcrowded and poorly ventilated, increasing the risk of illness. There is no reliable access to clean portable water, no sanitary toilets, and insufficient sleeping arrangements, especially for the youngest children. Many sleep on thin mats or improvised bedding on concrete floors, which is causing discomfort and developmental challenges.

After an evaluation of the sudden displacement and current environment, it is evident that the children, particularly the youngest and most vulnerable, are facing serious health risks and psychological traumas. Our courageous ladies are also subjected to going to the contaminated creek several days a week and spending all day washing the children’s clothes because we do not have enough water to run the washing machine. As we approach three months of living in this temporary shelter, it’s become clear that this is a humanitarian emergency; the children are getting sick with preventable illnesses, and although we’ve taken several trips to medical facilities, they are often lacking and without proper medicine to help. 

In our search for a more sustainable environment, we praise God that we have identified a compound available for rent that provides significant improvements. This property includes: 

Despite the promising infrastructure, the compound shares a critical limitation: there is currently no access to water on-site. In response, we contacted a drilling company to search for water on the property. Unfortunately, their first attempt was unsuccessful. We are now considering another drilling attempt in a different location on the site, and also other clean water sources, all of which will incur significant costs. Delays in securing clean water are exposing the children and staff to serious health threats. Our doctor on site, Dr. Celestin, concurs that these circumstances have put the children at risk for a wide range of preventable health issues, including: 

• Genitourinary Infections
• Gastrointestinal Infections
• Skin Conditions
• Respiratory Illnesses
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Vector-Borne Diseases
• Mental Health Issues

We want to make an urgent appeal to you, our friends and supporters, as part of the critical steps to safeguard the health, dignity, and developmental stability of our children and staff.

Please feel free to share this urgent need within your church, organization, or network. Together, we can restore hope during this crisis. We thank you for standing with us during this extraordinarily difficult time. Your love and generosity are helping to write a new chapter of healing, safety, and restoration.

Yves Prophete

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17