CRS in Haiti

The Social Assistance Program

The Orphanage of Saint-Francis of Assisi

With two other "Franciscan Auxilliaries", Sr. Anne Jolcin, 78 years old, runs the orphanage of Saint-Francis of Assisi. The shelter is located in a very poor area of Croix des Bouquets in Haiti. It is home to 63 girls and boys, either orphans or vulnerable children placed at the orphanage by their parents so that they could have a chance at a better life.

Haitian orphanage.

One of the Sisters at the orphanage with orphan girls.

Although modest, the compound accommodates a primary school for the live-in children along with 100 others from the community; the boys and girls' home with a chapel on the second floor; and a multipurpose hangar serving at times as a cafeteria, a clinic, a playroom or a theater for school plays.

Since 1997, Catholic Relief Services, through its Safety Net Program has been supporting several of the shelter's activities. In addition to a nutrition program there are other ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions of the children. Most recently, CRS sponsored a series of staff workshops on management, legal structures, civics, child rights, etc.; and youth workshops on HIV and AIDS education.

Sr. Ann, who has been a nun for more than 50 years, remembers her initial calling. "My dream was to build a Haiti worthy of children and today I can modestly say that our small efforts have transformed the lives of many children in Turbé, Peyrard. Many thanks to CRS for having walked beside me for part of this journey," says Sr. Ann.

How Do We Do This Project and What Are Our Accomplishments To Date?

CRS' Social Assistance Program work provides support to children's shelters and other institutions helping the poorest and most vulnerable — elderly, people living with AIDS, and the disabled — empowering them to provide a better future for extremely vulnerable children or adults in dire need of assistance.

CRS is one of the lead agencies in Haiti providing this type of assistance to safety net institutions. The program's activities include:

Last year, CRS reached more than 9,000 at risk children and almost 8,000 mentally and physically challenged adults and impoverished elderly through the Social Assistance program. The program provided assistance to 100 children's shelters by helping them respond to the nutritional needs of those in their care and by working with them to improve the quality of services offered.

Background of the Project

The Social Assistance program, the oldest of CRS Haiti's programs, was primarily designed to support the most vulnerable in Haiti — orphans and the elderly — through food assistance. Since 1998, the program has complemented food assistance with capacity building, particularly, training in fundraising techniques and the design and implementation of micro projects to diversify and increase funding for the most vulnerable institutions.