Ouanaminthe, Haiti with Global Family Philanthropy

Firewood. 2013. Ouanaminthe, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Mommy's School. 2013. Ouanaminthe, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Derac. 2013. Ouanaminthe, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography 

Lori at Bon Samaritan Elderly Home. 2013. Ouanaminthe, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Bon Samaritan Elderly Home. 2013. Ouanaminthe, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Lunch time. 2013. Ouanaminthe, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Learn more about Global Family Philanthropy at www.globalfamilyphilanthropy.org.

Ile a Vache, Haiti

I traveled to Haiti for the third time in nine months. And like each time before, the transportation is grueling, the air quality is atrocious and the days are exhausting. The kids, however, are always amazing.

I travel to Haiti with Global Family Philanthropy, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that operates a home for children in Les Cayes, about a 4-hour bus ride from Port Au Prince. I volunteer as a photographer and serve on the board. On this past trip, GFP founder Lori Goldberg wanted to deliver a $5,000 donation to the L'oeuvre Saint François orphanage on the remote island of Ile a Vache. For 30 years, Sister Flora, a French-Canadian nun, has cared for 70+ children at this orphanage, many of whom are physically and mentally disabled. Her charitable work includes the opening of a school located in her village, where her children and neighborhood kids attend.

    
Visiting her is one of my favorite ways to experience Haiti. Not only are her children wonderful, but the island is gorgeous. Many visitors stay on the island in one of the two resorts. They volunteer with Sister Flora during the day and then hike back to their hotel. The beaches are pristine and the water is clear and warm. Ile a Vache is really something special.

At Sister Flora's door. 2011. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Big Eyes. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

The Footpath. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Sister Flora's children. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Teasing from Sister Flora. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Greetings. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Hello Linda. 2011. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

A break from the chair. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Administration. 2011. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Running Home. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Parking lot. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Market Day. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Home. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Abaka Bay Resort. 2012. Ile a Vache, Haiti. ©Jill Richards Photography

Haiti Bound

Global Family Philanthropy has invited me to join them on their October trip to Les Cayes, Haiti. We leave Friday, October 7. I'll be shooting stills and video as well as working on a portrait project with the 19 children they've adopted into their program.

To learn more about Global Family Philanthropy and the work they do, please watch this mini documentary.


HAITI: Small Beginnings from Sherri Urann on Vimeo.
Mini documentary by Sherri Urann exposing the current state of devastation in Haiti, and daily challenges children face to survive everyday. Perils ranging from the abandonment of babies, cholera, starvation, and a simple lack of love threaten the young of this bereaved country. But big change has small beginnings. Watch to learn what Global Family is doing to help Haiti's future by loving its people in the present. See the rescue of two little girls, and learn how you can help.

Junau goes to college

Junau DeLouis Louis-Jean & his American mom, Karen. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Let me introduce you to Junau. He's a photographer's dream — I mean, look at that smile. Junau is all smiles, all the time. I guess that's why an entire organization fell in love with him.

Junau is from Le Cayes, Haiti. He's a smart kid. He excelled in high school, but like most Haitians he wouldn't be going to college and most likely couldn't find a job — more than two thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs. Enter Global Family Philanthropy.

Volunteers from this small, grassroots Phoenix-based organization met Junau in Haiti earlier this year and in a matter of months found a college that would fund a partial scholarship for the aspiring medical student. Volunteers have started raising funds for the remaining tuition.

Junau arrived to the US in late July. He was greeted by a crowd of cheering GFP volunteers. After a crazy two weeks of sight-seeing — which included beaches in California, the Grand Canyon, horseback riding, golf and roller coasters (which he did not enjoy) — Junau is now in Kansas and settled into his Hesston College dorm with a Napalese roommate named Ash.

Welcome to Phoenix. 2011. Phoenix, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Education is everything to Junau. He knows it's the only way for a Haitian to get ahead. He talks openly about political corruption and his vision for Haiti. He loves his country, but he knows she has a long way to go. He cares for his family, focuses on his studies and volunteers — which is how he met the folks with GFP.

Junau worked side-by-side with GFP volunteers this year as they finished construction on a home for abandoned children. The home has 19 children ranging in ages from infants to nine years old. The home is just outside Junau's hometown on 16 acres of sustainable farmland.

Junau's fluency in English, French and Kreyòl helped GFP connect with children in need — including Schneider, a small boy who was living for months in a public hospital after being abandoned. Ultimately, Junau wants to be a doctor and return to Haiti to work with children. 

Getting to know Junau. 2011. Flagstaff, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Jenga Champ. 2011. Flagstaff, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Junau and Lori. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

If you would like to learn more about GFP, visit http://globalfamilyphilanthropy.org. GFP will be hosting a dinner fundraiser at Roaring Fork in Scottsdale on Sunday, Sept. 4. Tickets are $75 and all proceeds go towards Junau's tuition. For more information: http://gfpfamilydinner.eventbrite.com.

Global Family Philanthropy and Haiti

I can't stop thinking about Haiti. I have Global Family Philanthropy to blame. Well, GFP and graphic designer Jenny Poon — I stalked Jenny's blog for updates from her two trips to Haiti with GFP.

The Global Family organization is small — enthusiastic, but small. Volunteers visit Haiti several times a year to complete projects ranging from construction, painting and education. Just this year they completed the construction of a home for 19 abandoned children — many of whom are left on the streets or in public hospitals.

Most recently, GFP sponsored its first college student. Junau, a 20-year-old Haitian student and GFP volunteer, starts classes at Hesston College in Kansas next week.

I'm excited to be doing some work with GFP.  I'm a fan of photo-philanthropy and GFP is a good fit for me and my work. For these reasons, I wanted to introduce you to the organization. Chances are, I will be talking about Haiti and GFP again soon.

To learn more about Global Family Philanthropy and the incredible work they do, check out this short documentary.



HAITI: Small Beginnings from Sherri Urann on Vimeo.
Mini documentary by Sherri Urann exposing the current state of devastation in Haiti, and daily challenges children face to survive everyday. Perils ranging from the abandonment of babies, cholera, starvation, and a simple lack of love threaten the young of this bereaved country. But big change has small beginnings. Watch to learn what Global Family is doing to help Haiti's future by loving its people in the present. See the rescue of two little girls, and learn how you can help.

film by sherri urann
original music adam kootman
www.thesimplegoods.com
www.globalfamilyphilanthropy.org