Restavec Freedom Alliance

This Tumblr blog contains blog posts from Restavec Freedom Alliance - a nonprofit organization in Haiti working with former restavec. To learn more please go to www.rfahaiti.org

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Our good friend Arne Yaghsizian

Update:

Our dear friend Arne passed away early this morning, 3/10, with his family by his side. More information will forthcoming as his family plans a celebration of his most wonderful life sometime around Easter. The family thanks you for all your prayers and words of encouragement. We send deep love to Arne and his family from RFA. Two videos of Arne from our January 2012 mission trip are below. 

Our good friend and supporter Arne  Yaghsizian is very ill, and struggling at Yale New Haven Hospital, in CT. Arne was on our January trip, and we ask all supporters of RFA to think good and strong thoughts, and to send good and strong prayers for Arne. We know that our children in Haiti, who all connected deeply with Arne, will do the same. We love you Arne and are with you in spirit.

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2/8/12 Construction Update

Our construction project is well underway! The dedicated workers are working very hard to get this project done for our children. You can see in the photos that the entire foundation is complete including the plumbing. We have raised about 1/3 of the money we need to complete the house. The children are so excited to move into their permanent home and it will definitely be amazing when it is finished. Check back soon for more updates! 

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My Experience in Haiti

By: Andrea Nommensen

I was so lucky to join the RFA team for their mission trip to Haiti in January. It was definitely a life changing experience: seeing the extreme poverty of the country, the faith in God, and the love of the children. Our team was wonderful and every day we enjoyed working, playing and just hugging the kids. We painted their home and started building a tire playground.

One day we took the children to Port Salut, one of the nicest beaches in Haiti. On a bathroom break we found one of our boys and girls who must have sneaked away from the beach. They were staring at the toilets. The toilets were almost up to par with American standards. I didn't know why the kids looked afraid and were uncertain what to do. Suddenly it hit me and I figured that it was probably their first time seeing a regular toilet. After explaining to them to sit down and then flush after use was very exciting for them and of course worth to try.

It was an amazing trip and I can't wait to come back soon. Many thanks to Pastor Lubin and Mammi Ellen for organizing this wonderful trip. Also many thanks to Pastor John and his wife Gardinette for their lovely hospitality, and of course to Pastor La Fume and Madame La Fume, who live with our 18 wonderful children in Chantal. Lastly many thanks to the great team of volunteers.

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Birth, life, hunger, misery, helplessness---death

By: Peter Celich

Restavec Freedom Alliance is a brilliant ray of light and hope in the otherwise horrific, dark world of existence for many children in Haiti--the outcast children, who but for this group and others like it would be destined for child slavery and even worse.  Restavec Freedom Alliance is an island of safe refuge from a harsh fate that few of us could hardly imagine.  This group of people helps keep alive the innocents and spirit in these children that would otherwise be shattered by the negligence and cruelty of others.  To be cared about can mean the everything to those who have little or no affection in their barren lives.  Faith and perseverance channeled through the power of love can help so much to overcome these obstacles.

For love matters--they, the Restavec children of Haiti matter--just look into their eyes and you'll feel it--look into your heart and you'll know it...

Thank you Restavec Freedom Alliance for allowing me to share it....

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Photos from January 14th, 2012.

Today was filled with painting, learning, tire play ground construction and teeth-brushing!! 

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Beach Day

By: Krystal Luker Today we took the day off of working on our projects and took the kids to the beach! The light in their eyes when we arrived I will never forget. The love we have shared these past few days will hold a place in my heart forever. I'm joined with a great group of volunteers all here for the same purpose and it is truly amazing. This is my first of many trips to Haiti I haven't even left yet and I can't wait to return! 

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A great day at RFA!

By: Arne Yaghsizian Our team had an amazing day again. We played many different games and activities with not only the RFA kids but also so many from the surrounding areas. The kids love all the attention and there is much laughter. The painting of the home is almost complete and the playground also! We are planning a beach day tomorrow(Friday) and it looks to be in the 90's.

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January 2012: Building our Tire Playground

Created by Tina M.

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Taking care of each other

By: Andrea Nommensen

What a wonderful day with the children of Restavec Freedom Alliance. Today one of the projects we did was a tie-dye project. One of the older kids who needs extra assistance due to his mental status did a wonderful job. But most importantly, after he finished his project he made sure that his younger brother got his turn too and helped him.

It's amazing how the children take care of each other and help each other out.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the week.

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Wednesday in Haiti!

By: Crystal Laur Today was an amazing day! I can't believe how amazing our children our here. They are blessed to have us, but we are more than blessed to have the opportunity to be here for them. We worked on painting their new home inside and out. Big thank you to Arnie for coordinating. Thank you also to Peter who lead the English lesson, Krystal lead the bandanna tie-dying, Nancy to taking tons of amazing pictures and assisting with crafts, Ellen for assisting me with the creation of the kids new tire park and a special thanks to Pastor Lubin for making this all possible for the kids! For everyone else that I haven't mention - thank you as well! Tomorrow we are off to Hello orphanage to visit the 60 kids that are there then back to our RFA home to spend the remaining of the day playing with the kids, finish up painting and tire park. I'm overwhelmed by the love that the children have for us and the gratitude that they show towards us for helping. I hope more join us in Haiti to be able to embrace this great experience! Photographs by Nancy Evans of Auvergne Studios 

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We all arrived safely!

We all arrived safely in Les Cayes after a long day of travel! As our tires were changed twice on the way from Port-au-Prince, we enjoyed the lovely Haitian night sky and delightful weather. Today our first day with the children exceeded the teams expectations. Our cement gray house is now painted with beautiful Haitian colors. The English lesson was also a huge hit - and also greatly benefited the community. The team is well fed, tucked in and rejuvenating for a great Wednesday. Stay tuned!!

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Stay Tuned for Updates!

It's that time of year again: Mission Trip Time! Our team of 13 wonderful volunteers will be leaving from Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, January 9th. We will be returning the following Monday, January 16th. We have many fun and exciting activities planned and we will keep everyone up-to-date throughout the week via blog posts, Facebook updates, Twitter updates and email. Speaking of email, if you would like to be added to our mailing list please click here and submit your name and email address. If you are a family member or friend of one of the volunteers and you would like to send them a message you may do so here. Your message will be delivered as soon as it's received. Your comments are also very much appreciated! We wish everyone a blessed week and remember to keep our mission trip team in your thoughts!

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Comfort & Care Cookbook for Sale!

Our brand new Comfort & Care Cookbook is now for Sale. For only $15 you can possess a copy of your own!  This Cookbook was made by friends of Restavec Freedom Alliance.  It's filled with delicious comfort food recipes made to give comfort to our children in Haiti through the funds raised.

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Construction of our new home!

Our dreamed of new home is now starting. Our grant from Equitas Group was given, and we are 1/3 of the way towards making this home a reality. Thank you to all - please watch for further updates!!!! We will be traveling to Haiti in January and can't wait to see the progress! Happy Holidays!!!! 

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Construction Begins!

Manmy Ellen,

We are happy to announce the beginning of the construction process today December 12, 2011. My wife and I were there on site this morning to pray with the contractor's team who is responsible to do the job. They went with wood sticks, boards, nails, strings for the laying out and the land survey with a copy of the building's blue print to start punting the axes on place and the placement for ever details for the building.

We had to make additional plans for storage of materials near the site. A room is being rented for this purpose nearby. All of our children send their love and can't wait to see you on your coming.

Pastor Jean

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Successful move to our new rented home!

The children of Restavec Freedom Alliance are now living in their new home in Chantal, Haiti. We are just days away from our first anniversary. What better way to celebrate than to see the children happy in their new home!

Pictures are below. _________________________________________________

Mammy Ellen,  (RFA Program Director) Here is finally the update on the official occupancy of the new home for our dear children at Chantal. About two weeks ago, after many weeks of negotiations we finally get two years lease for almost the price of one. But, some of the remodeling works that were supposed to be done were not done, which gave us the legal ground to negotiate and reduce the price. Our kids are now very well lodged and are breathing better with their house parents who now can have a room of themselves as well. We have a boys room and a girl room, an incomplete bathroom, a living room, a dining room an outdoor space in the back for cooking area and a front porch. They will have to use an outdoor toilet , which is way in the back. They have a front yard, sideways corridor with a hangar. Much much better that the previous home. It is much more spacious. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of those who contribute to help leasing this house, and we are ready to receive any group coming to do the painting, putting in a bathroom and a roof over the kitchen area. -Pastor Jean Beaucejour RFA Home Coordinator BEM Haiti Director _________________________________________________

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December Fundraiser: Success!!

Dan and Kathy Novak hosted an extremely successful fundraiser to assist us in meeting our goal of raising 5K to get matching funds from the Equitas Group for RFA. Through the generosity of their friends and family, the affair raised 4K!!! Thank you so very much to all who attended, who listened and asked such meaningful questions, and most especially to Dan and Kathy and their daughter Cory who worked so hard to make this a success!! Also to Kathy's mother, friend Donna, and sister Chris for the unending work in the kitchen, our servers. John who helped with the technical set up and also to Kathy Brandon for donating her artwork for the cause. 40 medallions made by the children of RFA are to be holiday gifts!!!!! We have met our goal thanks to the success of this evening and our home will be that much closer to being built! Thank you thank you thank you!