Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. 50% of the children die before the age of 5 due to malnutrition, or starvation. The average income is $3-$5 400 a year 60%unemployment for those lucky enough to be employed, they make an average of $2-$3 a day. That means they earn about $400 dollars a year, and all of that goes into food, and survival. Most are unable to care for their children and try to give their children a better life by taking them to an orphanage, or dropping them over hospital walls, so that people will find them that can feed them. They also hope that someone in the states will adopt them so that they can be safe, fed, and have the opportunity to leave poverty and lead a good life. One of these orphanages is Foyer de Sion Orphanage. The Foyer de Sion Orphanage is run by Guesno Mardy and his wife Majorie. They currently are renting three buildings spread out over Haiti in order to house the 250+ children they care for. They don't have any support from the government, they actually PAY the government for each child in their care. It is very expensive and they rely on donations from generous people in the United States to help them continue in their mission. Buying the food for over 250 children, paying the caretakers that care for the children all day and night, and paying high rent for the three buildings is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. Currently they are trying to get enough money to finish the construction, of a new orphanage building. It is out in the country and is in a MUCH safer area. Not only is it in a safer area, it is also in a cooler area. The air in the city is stifling and extremely humid, it makes sicknesses much worse and makes their lives miserable. The cooler area will help them to be healthier. The orphanage will be 3 floors high and contain 30 rooms. It will have a large kitchen, a medical clinic,infirmary, and even a pharmacy. When it is finished, it will be big enough to house all of the children from the 3 orphanage buildings in one. This will drastically reduce costs of transportation in between orphanages, as well as eliminate all 3 of the rental dues they are currently paying in order to use the 3 orphanage buildings. They will also be able to raise chickens for eggs, goats for milk, and have gardens to grow fresh produce so they are not spending as much money on food.They will even be able to have a playground for the children to play on, this will allow them to develop their motor skills, and grow stronger. They REALLY need more money so that they can finish building the orphanage building as soon as possible so they don't have to keep paying rent. and so that they can have money to buy the food they need, pay for medical costs, and pay the caretakers that work day and night to make sure the children are taken good care of. They were able to finish most of the first floor of the new building but they have had to stop construction for over a year because they haven't had any money to do anything more, but they need it now even more. So far they have spent a total of $75,000 on the building but they still need approximately $250,000. I know it may seem impossible but I know that every penny helps and will make a huge impact in the lives of these children. My goal to raise enough money to finish building the orphanage so that they have enough money to take care of these children without having to spend money on rent and not have to worry about whether or not they'll have enough money to feed all of the children. If you would like more information on the orphanage, please either let me know, or visit their website at www.foyerdesion.org