About Us
Notre Maison/St. Joe's is a home for children that have been displaced from their families. We strive to provide a home that gives each and every one of our children the necessary tools to grow and thrive.
There are thirty-seven children that are currently living at the orphanage, both able body, and special needs. We provide food, clothing, shelter, schooling and medical care for all of our students.
There are thirty-seven children that are currently living at the orphanage, both able body, and special needs. We provide food, clothing, shelter, schooling and medical care for all of our students.
Check out the tabs below as well as common FAQ to find out more about Notre Maison/St. Joe's
FAQ about the Kids,
1. Why are there so many orphans in Haiti?
The answer to this question is layered and complicated. Due to a series of natural disasters in the early 2000s, many children were orphaned. As a result of those disasters, thousands of people made their way to Port-au-Prince in the hopes of finding shelter, food, and work. Along the way, many children were separated from their families. Because these children had no identification when they were found on the streets of Port-au-Prince, they were taken to social services and then placed in orphanages.
Haiti also has a number of “economic orphans.” The extreme poverty of Haiti often makes it difficult for families to feed and clothe all of their children. These parents are often forced to make an unthinkable decision—give one or more of their children up for adoption. These children are then placed in orphanages even though they have one or both parents alive.
2. Are things better since the earthquake?
In many ways, no, Haiti is not doing better since the earthquake. Yes, the majority of the tent cities are gone, but there are still many homeless and many without jobs. Unless the newly elected President and his government can make major changes, the future is still bleak for the average, every-day, Haitian.
3. How do the children get assigned to Notre Maison?
They arrive in many ways. Sometimes Gertrude finds the children abandoned on the streets and takes them in. Other times, she goes to the main hospital in downtown Port-au-Prince to find children who have been abandoned at the hospital and bring them to Notre Maison; these children are often those with special needs of some sort. Gertrude also has parents drop them off at the gate to Notre Maison. There are also times when Haitian Social Services—IBESR—will assign children to Notre Maison.
4. How many children live at Notre Maison? How old are they?
Right now, we have 37 children living at Notre Maison. The ages range from two years old to 23 years old. We have 35 special-needs children and 15 able-bodied children.
5. Why do so many kids at Notre Maison have the last name Espoir?
When an abandoned child is sent to an orphanage, it is often the director who is responsible for choosing the child’s name. Because many children who have been abandoned have no hope coming into the orphanage setting, Gertrude chose to give the kids hope—by bestowing on them the last name of “Espoir,” the French word for hope.
6. Is there a church that runs/sponsors the orphanage? If so, what religion?
Notre Maison is not sponsored or run by any one church. However, the children are baptized, take communion, and are confirmed in the Catholic Church.
7. Do the children go to school? Where?
The children attend school at a number of different schools. The secondary school children attend Foyer Divine School, and the elementary aged children attend Jean Marie School in the neighborhood. The special-needs children attend the Haiti Center for Inclusive Education in Tabarre.
8. How can I help?
There are many ways to help! Check out our "How Can You Help" page for more details!