is a nonprofit corporation that operates an orphanage outside les Cayes, Haiti, bringing Home Education Love and Opportunity to orphaned and abandoned children in this desperately poor country. HELO is a 501c3 certified charity pursuant to IRS regulations and guidelines. HELO’s first home opened in November 2007, renting a home in Laborde with wonderful house parents, cook and teacher. Children we
re taught at the house, and we soon saw proof that Home Education Love and Opportunity can change the life of a child. A beautiful parcel of land nearby the rented house became available in November 2008, and by the grace of God we were able to put a deposit down to hold the land. In April 2009 the land was purchased and our dreams continued to unfold by breaking ground for a school in September. A wonderful Christmas party was held in December 2009 for the community, an introduction and celebration of God’s blessings on HELO. The tragic earthquake in January put an abrupt end to our joy and celebration. Our hearts ached for this land we love. In an effort to respond quickly to the cries of Haiti’s children, HELO began construction of a small home and brought tents to HELO’s property to immediately take in children orphaned by the earthquake. After searching for loving staff, house parents were hired and a second home opened in early February. We immediately started building a third home, and on July 1, 2010 took in an additional 12 children who had been on a waiting list since January. We will again duplicate what we have seen work in the first home -- a loving home, three meals a day, and the opportunity to attend school with the other children of HELO. An addition to HELO's school was completed in March 2012, and HELO opened its doors to community children who were otherwise unable to attend school. HELO currently provides a quality education to over eighty children from Preschool to Philo (last year of high school). In May 2013, with a generous grant from Orphaned Starfish Foundation, a computer center was started at HELO's school, bringing education to a new level.
