The Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM

Theo’s Work Inc. is a US non-profit organization with a mission to alleviate the devastating effects of poverty on children in Haiti. TWI was founded in 1997 by former US Navy chaplain, Father Marc Boisvert, who had been assigned to work with Haitian refugees being held in Cuba. For more information on the organization, please visit the website, www.freethekids.org.

He now directs Project Hope ("Pwoje Espwa" in Creole) in Les Cayes, the third largest city in Haiti. TWI supports this humanitarian mission from it's volunteer run offices in the United States.

We are helping a number of needy children now and see great improvement in them. As much as possible, we provide hands-on aid as opposed to arms-length charity. Our programs assist young Haitians to become self-sufficient. With the generosity of people who support our mission, we do something positive. AND, we want to do more to touch more lives with hope! Contributions pay for food, medicine, clothing and, most importantly, an escape from poverty through basic education or vocational training.

From a humble beginning in a rented house, Pwoje Espwa has grown into an orphanage in a former seminary that has been transformed into a home. It is filled to capacity with more than 500 boys and young men. More than just a shelter for abandoned, neglected and orphaned children in Les Cayes, Hope House offers the street children of Haiti a safe, clean place to sleep as well as clothing, nutritious food, medical attention and basic education or vocational training.

It also offers these children something much more valuable - opportunity - the opportunity to make a very real difference in their own future, a chance to stop the vicious cycle of despair and poverty.

We are constantly networking with existing institutions and organizations in an effort to better address the needs of the children with as little as duplication as possible.

Food, clothing and basic education or vocational training are also provided. Part of the building is used as an infirmary for needy children. Some of our children are HIV+. Some have special physical needs. All need love and attention.

HOPE SCHOOL/ EKOL ESPWA

Currently, we operate two schools for our children. Haitian teachers are hired to provide basic classroom instruction. Some children are provided with scholarship funds to attend other schools.