The History of Better Future International
Better Future International started out with the focus of providing a better life for children in Haiti. The founding members had originally visited several existing orphanages where the children were treated poorly and the conditions of the orphanage were not up to even basic standards. The founding members wanted to create a model of an orphanage where the children would be treated as if they were living with their own parents.
In 2004, a hurricane named “Jeanne” flooded the City of Gonaïves, killed about 3000 people and left a lot of children orphaned. Better Future International was a beacon to provide a little bit of hope for the children in Gonaïves. We had to act and make a difference. On October 1st of 2005 Better Future International opened a house in Gonaïves. The first children were between 4 to 12 years old with very little schooling. The first year, we had to work with them at home recruiting teachers to intensly teach them the required basics so they could attend a good school the following year.
It Wasn’t So Easy
Life in Gonaïves was not so easy. There was much death and despair that the founding members, made the decision to relocate to another part of Haiti to give our children a better life. We were looking for land to purchase and build an orphanage for many months. In July 2008 we moved to Jacmel to a pre-existing home. On August 1st of that year Hurricane Hanna took out half of the house that we stayed in Gonaives during the night. We were so lucky to have left a month earlier.
In Jacmel, our 12 children attended one of the best schools in the town. Six of our kids have graduated thus far with their baccalaureate. Our Children’s lives are just like any other child’s life around the world. They receive a weekly allowance to allow them to enjoy some basic freedoms on their own such an ice cream cone as well as teaching them about budget and savings. They enjoy the beaches very often. Specifically, they can go to Cyvadier beach that is within walking distance of our home. Our kids are afforded a good life with all their needs being met with nutritional food, top-notch education, excellent healthcare, and most importantly love!
Two of our children have already embarked upon their professional careers. Abigaëlle is a journalist and Rose-Nancy is a secretary. Bethanie is finishing her degree in “Public affairs and International Relationships” this year. Patrick and Walter are working to pass their baccalaureate this year so they can enter University by the end of 2021. The other young ones are engrossed in their studies with their siblings and friends enjoying their lives growing up way too quickly!
Better Future International’s mission is to develop an unshatterable future for Haiti by supporting its youth and creating self-reliance for its communities. We don’t warehouse children in dormitories. We raise children in a family-like environment, fully equipped with the physical, psychological, and social support to overcome challenges of the past, present, and future. We have used our limited resources to feed hundreds of children throughout various natural disasters all while maintaining a laser-like focus on the original children of our home. Our work doesn’t just stop when the kids graduate with their baccalaureate and leave our home. We continue our support through their university to ensure they are firmly rooted within their professional lives and have the resources to take care of themselves. For over 15 years, our commitment to Haiti has been evident in our actions before, during, and after disasters. When the cameras leave, our programs are still standing, and so are our supporters.
Our work doesn’t just stop when the kids graduate with their baccalaureate and leave our home.
Two of our children have already embarked upon their professional careers. Abigaëlle is a journalist and Rose-Nancy is a secretary. Bethanie is finishing her degree in “Public affairs and International Relationships” this year. Patrick and Walter are working to pass their baccalaureate this year so they can enter University by the end of 2021. The other young ones are engrossed in their studies with their siblings and friends enjoying their lives growing up way too quickly!
Better Future International’s mission is to develop an unshatterable future for Haiti by supporting its youth and creating self-reliance for its communities. We don’t warehouse children in dormitories. We raise children in a family-like environment, fully equipped with the physical, psychological, and social support to overcome challenges of the past, present, and future. We have used our limited resources to feed hundreds of children throughout various natural disasters all while maintaining a laser-like focus on the original children of our home.
Our work doesn’t just stop when the kids graduate with their baccalaureate and leave our home. We continue our support through their university to ensure they are firmly rooted within their professional lives and have the resources to take care of themselves. For over 15 years, our commitment to Haiti has been evident in our actions before, during, and after disasters. When the cameras leave, our programs are still standing, and so are our supporters.
BFI Haiti’s mission is to develop an unshatterable future for Haiti by supporting it’s youth and creating self-reliance for it’s communities.
The Team
- Jacques Africot – In-country Director
- Doris Chernick – VP of Education
- Lisa Nichols – VP of Treasury
- Tommie L. Pegues – Board Chairman
- Lyssa Sampson – VP – Compliance & Legal
