Loune Viaud found a beautiful property for sale just outside of Port-au-Prince. Paul Farmer having recently celebrated his fiftieth birthday, generously donated the funds given to him as a birthday present to help purchase the property. Partners In Health and Zanmi Lasante then formed a partnership with Operation Blessing, and together these three organizations acted quickly and decisively to develop a plan to convert the property into a suitable, high-quality living environment with the necessary accommodations for children with disabilities.

 

The existing buildings on the property have been renovated and new buildings have been designed to meet the needs of this  growing community. Staff were hired and trained, daily programs and schedules were created, and through the efforts of a small group of dedicated people, the children were settled into their new home within four months.

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In the year following the earthquake, other orphaned, displaced and abandoned children joined the original group, bringing the total number of children in the Zanmi Beni community to 64. Zanmi Beni, the name chosen for the community, means “Blessed Friends” in Creole. Indeed, everyone associated with the children of Zanmi Beni feels blessed to be a part of this hopeful place.