Timeline
[vc_row][vc_column][title textalign=”center” title=”Timeline of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Orphanage Foundation”][vc_column_text]
January 12, 2010 The 7.0 Magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti. According to Wikipedia, nearly 3 million were affected by the earthquake. The death toll was over 220,000 according to the Haitian government. Many children were left orphaned.
March 1, 2010 Fr Andre Sylvestre, a Haitian Catholic priest, approached a group of parishioners at St. Mary, Muncie, IN to help him start an orphanage for the children affected by the earthquake. His dream was to give the orphans a home.
October 1, 2010 The parishioners organized the first fundraising dinner for the children. This event continued to be hosted every year. In later years, it became an Indian food themed event which welcomed everybody in the community.
August 1, 2013 The first St. Mary parish-wide garage sale for Haiti was hosted. Many parish members have donated their household goods for this sale. This garage sale takes up two stories of the St Mary event hall.
September 1, 2014 Obtained 501(c)(3) status to be an official non-profit. This means that all donations are tax-deductible. Prior to this, the charity operated under St. Mary Catholic Church in Muncie, IN
October 1, 2016 The residence and school were completed on a campus of 17+ acres, the majority of which is in agricultural use. Currently 36 children reside in the orphanage with plans to house 100. The buildings were completed with the help of donors, volunteers, and friends of Fr. Andre Sylvestre. Ninety-seven percent of the funds donated went directly to build this home for the children.
October 1, 2017 The residence for the Congregation of Sisters, Daughters of Mary, was inaugurated. These Catholic nuns are teaching the orphans and the children in the community that attend the school.
January 1, 2018 With your donations, you can sponsor a teacher whose salary is $2400 a year. You could also support the monthly costs of an orphan. $100 monthly would go a long way. Our online donation portal has the option for a recurring donation. Keep the orphans of Haiti in your prayers. We have seen first-hand through the many years of ups and downs with the orphanage that there is immense power in prayer. Our Lady of Perpetual Help has never left us unaided.
April 9, 2018 Fr Andre’s plans are to build a Chapel, a medical clinic that will serve his children, staff, and surrounding community, and a “guest house” which will include a service station and restaurant. Additionally, more room will need to be added to the residence to house up to 100 orphans.
Earthquake in Haiti
Called to Action
First Fundraising Dinner
First Parish-Wide Garage Sale
Tax-Deductible Status
School and Residence Initially Completed
Nun Residence Completed
Ongoing Needs
Future Plans and Beyond