- We opened our doors in Esperanza, Dominican Republic, in October 2010 with 43 members. The kids would be with us from about 11:30 to 4 and during that time would generally eat 3 plates of food, have a math or reading/writing class and play. The average child gained like 7 pounds in the first month with us. By early 2011 we had grown to about 100 children.
- From 2010-2015 we worked in Esperanza, Dominican Republic. An inland town relatively close to the border with Haiti. When we opened our doors we were 50% Dominican children and 50% Haitian children. The Haitians in the area were poorer so as we grew, we accepted a lot more Haitians than Dominicans as the Dominican children were not starving like the Haitian children were. The relationship between Haitians and Dominicans is complex but there is plenty of prejudice against Haitians in Dominican society. Once we became about 66% Haitian many of the Dominican families pulled their children out of the foundation as sending their children to the “Haitian” foundation was a source of shame. By 2013 over 90% of our children were Haitian.
- In 2015 we moved from Esperanza, Dominican Republic to Jacmel, Haiti. The Dominican government had become increasing anti-Haitian and we lost faith that our children would be given a real shot at success in Dominican society. Where we lived Haitian’s were all maids, cooks, construction worker or field hands. We didn’t see the point of spending so much time and energy helping to educate children who were not going to be allowed to prosper regardless.
- In order to move we build 12 buildings, encompassing about 26 housing units. The families that came with us from the Dominican Republic live in those housing units free of charge.
- In 2017 we built the classrooms, Library, Dining Room, Kitchen and play area for the JRF.
- In 2021 we opened 2 new feeding centers. Both are in the Jacmel area. Each center feeds over 200 children lunch Monday-Saturday. They are in desperately poor areas and the difference in the children’s appearance and health since we started is substantial.
- Since 201 we have continued to operate our 3 feeding centers but not expanded.
