Yahve Shamma Village is a community development initiative of Help One Now. It serves as home for 30 orphaned children in Pétionville, Haiti, and Yahve Shamma Village is also a community hub for the area, investing in future generations through education and development.

The Reality

In January of 2010, a devastating earthquake shattered the nation of Haiti, destroying buildings, homes, families and lives. An estimated 250,000+ lives were lost during this tragedy and over 2.3 million people were left displaced. The capital city of Port au Prince, perhaps the most fragile city in the world, lay in ruins.

This hit home for Pastor Gaétan Alcégaire, a minister, community leader and the director of Yahve Shamma Children's Home in Pétionville. Gaétan lost his brother and many members of his church when the earth shook. However, this tragedy did not halt his desire and passion for his people and community. In fact, after the earthquake, Gaétan and his wife, who were already caring for 14 children, took in 16 more children, orphaned as a result the earthquake. With their home badly damaged, Gaétan and his wife housed the children under two tarps. The boys slept under one, the girls slept under the other, and he and his wife slept between them to keep watch. During this time, Pastor Gaétan and Help One Now connected and a new friendship and partnership began.

The Village

Help One Now initially partnered with Yahve Shamma Children's Home in 2010 through a Child Sponsorship Program geared toward meeting the needs of each and every child at the home. Through this sponsorship, the basic needs of food, clean water, and clothing were met for the children. Over the course of 3 years, funds were raised through Garage Sales for Orphans to build safe and secure bunk homes for the children, a clean water well, a playground, new bathroom facilities and more. With the burden of caring for basic needs and shelter met, Pastor Gaétan was able to dedicate his time and resources toward educating the children, as he viewed education as a powerful living entity that would transform the future generation. Gaétan immediately gathered all the supplies he could and constructed a five-room tent school in 2011. The school served not only the 30 orphans at Yahve Shamma, but also paved a way for over 150 vulnerable children within the surrounding community to have access to education. Such drive motivated Help One Now to initiate and launch its first Legacy Project Campaign in 2012 to build a larger permanent school at Yahve Shamma.

"It makes us very sad to know that some kids have the desire to learn and better themselves, but they are forced to stay at home because of financial problems. I feel like their creativity, passions and ambitions are being robbed from them. We want to be able to offer an adequate and well-balanced education to these children. This is our hope!"

-- Gaétan Alcégaire

In the fall of 2012, fundraising for our first Legacy Project began. With funds procured, building began early 2013, and by October, Williamson Adrien Academy (a two story, 14 classroom school house) officially opened. Where a tent-like structure of tarp and poles once stood, an impressive building now stands. Where volunteer teachers and 150 kids once met subject to the elements, over 300 students and 17 certified teachers now meet in a safe learning environment. The building is complete, but the story--the LEGACY--is just beginning. Over time, thousands of Haiti's children will receive a good education at this school. Education today. Change tomorrow.

The Future

Rooted in deep friendship and partnership with local leader Gaétan Alcégaire, evident growth and development continues at Yahve Shamma Village and in the surrounding community. Every opportunity to advance in developing the local community is taken, as each project enables community member engagement through job creation and employment. Furthermore, over 300 kids from the community are currently enrolled at the school and the 30 orphans at Yahve Shamma are thriving in their everyday lives.

Future plans are underway for developing new dormitories to fit the growing needs of the children. Investment in the success of the school will continue to ensure that the educational needs of the children and the community are being fulfilled. And Gaétan is even working to begin his own chicken/egg business!