Jonas… The name “restavek” is common here in Haiti. It means “to rest with,” or “to stay with.” A child who has no parents,” will go to live with a relative. He or she will become a slave. That child will never be treated “like family,” but instead, they will be treated like an indentured slave. Young girls barely in their teens will have to do  “whatever they are told,” and often become pregnant.

For the young boys, they are usually sent to the fields to work with grown men! That’s where we found Jonas. He was just a tiny little boy, he hadn’t eaten for several days, had no water, and was working in the hot sun with grown men!

He had never had shoes, or clothes that fit. He had never had a bed to sleep on or, a full meal. He had never been to school. He had never been able to write his name, or count to ten! He had never been told, “You did a good job!” He had never heard the words, “I love you!” But the worst thing was, “he had never had a hug!” All that changed when he came to our “Love A Child” Orphanage!

We gave Jonas a “Birth Certificate,” and put him in school. He had to start in “Kindergarten One,” because he had “never held a pencil or a crayon  in his hand!” We want to thank you, our partners, “for changing another life,” and making a difference! Jonas thanks you, too!!

Sherry