Happy New Year!

I am truly grateful to God for another year and another opportunity to help provide life opportunities for the orphans of Haiti.  For nearly 2 years H.E.R.O. has been housing, educating and rehabilitating orphans from some of the most destitute communities in Haiti, and I am proud to say that each and every one is taking advantage of the opportunities we provide, and accelerating their lives to places that no one expected they could ever reach.  As we look forward to another great year, I want to take this moment to thank all of the H.E.R.O family – donors, supporters, board, staff, and most importantly the children, for making H.E.R.O. an amazing success.

Christmas Morning!

Our holidays were unbelievable and thanks to the generosity of some great H.E.R.O. supporters, each child was able to receive many gifts including clothes, shoes, toys, and even a guitar!  In addition to eating Christmas dinner, opening our gifts, and taking some time to enjoy a brief vacation from school, we were also able to participate in 2 chess tournaments and 1 tennis tournament during December!  As a result of our amazing chess coach, who is currently Haiti’s top ranked chess player, our children have begun to beat much of the competition they have faced.  In tennis, despite only having 6 months of quality and consistent instruction, our kids have been able to compete and even beat other tennis players that have been practicing for 3 or more years!  As our kids return to school on January 7^th, we are happy and thankful for such wonderful holidays!

Our Kids Are Smiling Because They Won The Chess Tournament!

Coincidentally, the same day the kids return to school, I will be returning with Dan Hildebrand to the land in Maniche to continue construction on the H.E.R.O. Youth Development Academy!  By the end of January both the EcoShell and perimeter wall will be finished, with plans to start building the first dormitory during the month of June!  We look forward to finishing this project and providing housing, education, and rehabilitation for additional orphans in need.  Thank you for making 2012 a great year for H.E.R.O. and we are looking for an even better and productive 2013.  Happy New Year!

The Wall and Ecoshell of the H.E.R.O. Youth Development Academy!