The Joseph family has been living in their new home these last couple years (thank you all so much!), but unfortunately had a very challenging 2021. We had been planning on job training for Joel and Sony so that the family could become self-supportive, but that largley ended with Joel's tragic death (his murderers fled Cap Haitian and have not been aprehended.) Joel left behind his wife Magdala Étienne and their 7 year old son Rick Jefferson. Sony then had a lengthy and severe illness, with the family convinced it was the result of a voodoo curse. 

Eight people are living in the Joseph house: Mom Rosette, her husband Anilus, Lucksene (19), his wife Mikenlove and their son Markenlove (4 mos), Ronel (18, severely physically and mentally handicapped), Souarilus (13), and Rosseny (7). Sony was somewhat out of control while he was sick, and thankfully now appears to have recovered. He is living close by. Magdala Étienne and Rick Jefferson live with her parents. 

Our 2022 focus is to improve the family's nutrition, ensure education for the smaller children, cover medical needs for Ronel, maintain the home, fix the water pump, and identify job training for Sony. Our remaining funding need for 2022 is $7,500 for these tangible ways to help the Joseph family. Your donation will go a long way to provide a hand up to our friends in Haiti and is greatly appreciated! 

The Joseph Family holds a special place in many of our hearts. We first met Sony Joseph several years ago, hanging out in the yard of a local orphanage we frequent. As a "street kid," he was not part of the orphanage and couldn't attend the school there.  We'd see him on every trip, just hanging out in that same yard.  It took us a few years to really get to know him and hear his family's difficult story.  Espwa supported his education for several years.  At the same time, and unbeknownst to our team, one of the families in our network, the Hoobler's, formed a relationship with Sony's brother, Joel.  They grew to sincerely admire his work ethic at school and in the support of his family.  This trustworthy young man had been slowly working to build his family a home with whatever income he could scrape together. If you've been following this story, you know that Joel's life was tragically taken in 2021. However, we are committed to continuing to support the Joseph family. 

We can only do this with your generous support.  Please consider a donation towards this project and change several lives in the process. Thank you!