Orphanages in Haiti

Lumos

This video reveals the adverse conditions in the many unregistered orphanages in Haiti.  Eighty percent of children living in orphanages are not orphans. After the earthquake in 2010, numerous orphanages were set up to support children who lost parents in the earthquake; however, most children in these institutions are not there because of the earthquake.  Quite often children go to orphanages because they are poor.  As children start to adapt to their lives in orphanages, relationships with families are broken.  Some directors of orphanages actively prevent parents from visiting or having any sort of relationship with their children.  Because of this lack of familial bond, children become inappropriately affectionate with strangers or with people they barely know. They grow up with a strong need for affection.  This desire makes them prone to trafficking. 

Anecdotal evidence is that most families want their children.  Common reasons that families give up their children to orphanages are that these families cannot afford medical care, school costs, or food for their children. 

Lumos is currently working with the government and planning a long-term solution such that by 2030 there will be no children left in institutions.