Haynes family helping Haiti's orphans

Cheron Hardy 03MN joined the staff of the nonprofit Eternal Hope in Haiti (EHIH) shortly after graduating from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. EHIH was formed in 1993 by nursing alumna Twilla Haynes 80MN and her daughters, Angela Haynes 91PH 08N 09MN and Hope Haynes Bussewius 93MN.

A mother-daughter-daughter-trio of Emory nursing graduates have volunteered to help the orphaned and misplaced children in the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquakes. But their volunteer work in the Caribbean nation began long before and extends far beyond this natural disaster.

In 1993, Twilla Haynes 80MN, of Hoschton, GA—with the help of her daughters, Angela Haynes 91PH 08N 09MN and Hope Haynes Bussewius 93MN—founded Eternal Hope in Haiti (EHIH), an organization dedicated to better health care for Haiti’s people. Three years later, they opened the Hope Haven Orphanage in Cap Haitien in the northwest province of Haiti.

The orphanage’s location far from the epicenter of the devastating January 13 earthquake spared it from any physical damage, but the nationwide effects of the quakes have reached Cap Haitien. With the destruction of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and major supply source, access to basic necessities, like drinking water, food, and diesel fuel for generators, has become limited.

In addition, the nation’s banks have closed, preventing the orphanage from acquiring any funds to replenish the lack of supplies. Still, Cap Haitien’s designation as the second largest city in Haiti has made it primary location for aid after the capital, despite its location more than 80 miles away.

EHIH is currently working to meet the needs of the orphans in Port-au-Prince, helping to care for the injured and accepting newly orphaned or abandoned children. An early estimate suggested that almost 10,000 children have been orphaned by the earthquakes, according to Angela Haynes.

“Many have asked, ‘How many [children] can we take?’” Haynes said. “We cannot answer that. You have seen the pictures on TV. Which one would you turn away?”

Hope Haven currently has no vacancy for any more children, but another orphanage is being constructed and will open to the children from the nation’s capital. The children will be provided with the basics, such as food, clothing, and nurturing, Haynes said.

“The real work begins with helping them rebuild emotionally from such darkness,” she continued. “The whole focus of this mission has been and remains caring for the ‘least of these’ with dignity, compassion and genuine love.  These children become part of our family.”

Twilla Haynes and Cheron Hardy 03MN have gathered supplies for a trip to Haiti in the next few days. Hardy joined EHIH’s ranks in 2003, working as a missionary to the children and organizing volunteer trips from the United States to Haiti.

The Haynes family and Hardy have called for the help of the Emory community, specifically those nursing and medical students, as well as nurses and doctors who have volunteered in Haiti to return during this “critical time.” Others interested in volunteering  are encouraged to contact EHIH. The most significant way to aid in their efforts is through financial assistance that can be given through their website, www.eternalhopeinhaiti.org, Haynes said.

“The Haitian people have a firm resolve and unyielding optimism in the worst of circumstances,” Haynes said. “It is humbling to work side by side with them to alleviate their suffering and improve their lot.”—Lindsey Bomnin 12C