Joint Initiative #1 at the Les Cayes Campus
For too long, Haiti’s orphanage system has separated children from their families, often under the false promise of a better life. The reality is far different. Many children in Haitian orphanages have living parents who simply lack the resources to care for them, and instead of receiving love and stability, they often experience neglect, exploitation, and trauma. At Overture, we believe that every child deserves to grow up in a family, not an institution. That’s why, in partnership with IBESR (Haiti’s child welfare authority), we are leading the effort to close orphanages, reunite children with their families, and provide safe, loving foster families for those who cannot be reunified.
But closing orphanages is only the beginning. The transition from institutional care back to family life is complex and requires careful preparation. That’s where our joint Overture/IBESR campus initiative comes in. When an orphanage closes, children need a safe, temporary place where they can begin the healing process.
At our campus, they receive immediate care that includes nutritious meals, medical attention, and counseling. Our campus team works tirelessly to locate their families and assess whether reunification is possible. This crucial step ensures that children are not simply placed into unstable situations but are given the best possible chance for long-term success, whether with their birth families or in foster families like Margalita's.Â
A Place for Healing and Preparation
The importance of this transition process is well illustrated through the story of Ms. Margalita, a foster mother who opened her home and heart to a Haitian child being transitioned from an orphanage. When Jules arrived at her door, he wasn’t just being placed in a house, he was being welcomed into a family. But that transition wasn’t immediate. Jules first spent time with the Overture team, receiving the care, counseling, and support necessary to prepare him for life in a family. Meanwhile, Margalita underwent training to ensure she had the tools and guidance needed to provide a stable, nurturing home.
"Being a foster mother has brought so much joy and purpose to my life. Watching Jules grow, smile, and feel at home fills my heart with happiness," Margalita shares. "Overture and IBESR have given me the training, guidance, and confidence I need to provide a safe and loving home for him. Without them, I wouldn’t have known where to start. Now, I know I am part of something bigger—I am helping to give children like Jules the love and security they deserve."
Margalita’s story is a testament to why child reunification/placement must be intentional. Whether a child is being placed back with their birth family or in a foster family, they need emotional support, stability, and a structured transition. The initiatives at the campus, led by Overture and IBESR, provide that essential bridge, ensuring that every child has the strongest possible foundation for their new life.
Transformation and Reunification
Our campus initiative, in partnership with IBESR, is not just about individual success stories; it’s about transforming Haiti’s child welfare system. By strengthening family-based care and providing a safe space for transitioning from a dangerous orphanage to a caring family, we are proving that there is a better way. Our ultimate goal is to see Haiti’s orphanage system replaced with a sustainable, community-driven model where families are supported, children are protected, and no child has to grow up in an institution.
To help spread the word about this critical work, we’ve recently distributed a press release detailing our reunification efforts and the role of our campus initiative. We invite you to share it with others and help us advocate for a future where every Haitian child grows up in a loving family.
You Can Support this Initiative
Reunification is not just a process—it’s a commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The more we invest in this initiative, the more children we can rescue from orphanages and place into safe, loving families. If you believe in the power of family and want to be part of this movement, we encourage you to support our work. Together, we can continue building a Haiti where orphanages are no longer needed, and every child knows the love and security of family.