For several years Jean Toussaint has not been able to go to church. He has wanted to go, but it was just too difficult. Jean & Sonia Toussaint are the houseparents at the Cazeau Orphanage.

About ten years or so ago Jean was shot in the back in a random shooting. A bullet fragment is still lodged in his spine, partially paralyzing him. He can use a walker and wheelchair to get around. The walker is difficult with the terrain at the orphanage and surrounding neighborhood, where Jean & Sonia lived before coming to work with HFHC. The wheelchair is equally difficult to navigate.

Last month, thanks to the generosity of one of my very best friends (and good friend of HFHC), a dream was realized! We were able to pave a path from the houseparent quarters (on the orphanage compound), put a door in the wall between the orphanage and church properties, pave a walkway from the wall to the church building so that Jean can go to church! He and Sonia are so thankful and happy!

Along with this walkway some other work was done that we've been wanting to get done. The walkway between the girls' dorm and dining hall was paved. This area held water every time it rained and bred mosquitoes. So this helps the health issues and laundry issues.

Right: Picking Grapes

Dorm & Dining Hall

Walkway

Sonia has an incredible green-thumb! She has transformed the orphange compound from a drab, rocky desert to a lush oasis! Her grapevine stretches from one side of the compound all the way to the middle of the compound. It not only produces lots of grapes that the children love to eat, but also good shade for a respite from the sun.

This is Woody. When he first came to the orphanage he was terrified of me - the first white person he had ever seen up close and personal. James used to carry Woody, kicking, screaming and crying to say hello to me. It got to where he would run and hide when he heard me come in. Now he runs to greet me with a kiss and smile and will even pose for pictures!

And you haven't seen little Bijou in a while. She has been busy digging tunnels lately and eating whole plantain and mango trees. Always something to do!