Children of Haiti and the Art Creation Foundation For Children

The children of Haiti are like children everywhere in many respects. They love to play and have fun. They get lonely and sad. They love to sit and cuddle with a parent or older sibling. They fall down and skin their knees and need to be picked up, brushed off, and encouraged. They like to draw and create beautiful pieces of art. They do, however, differ from many children in other parts of the world in one very important way. They live in a country that is very needy and has been severely impacted by natural disaster. They suffer in fundamental ways. To say that the children of Haiti are needy is a dramatic understatement. Fortunately, there are people and organizations that work to help.

The Art Creation Foundation For Children (ACFFC) is one such organization. It was officially founded in 2000. It is incorporated in Florida and works as a non-profit organization where 100% of the funds raised or donated go to help the children of Haiti. I was greatly impressed to learn that even the administrative costs, fund raising efforts, travel, bank fees, and even shipping, are completely taken care of by the board members themselves. These are good people.

The foundation was created for the education and growth of children of Jacmel, Haiti. They work to help the kids attain self-sufficiency through not only the arts, but also by helping them to grow a sense of community and social responsibility. They are set up to make a real difference in the lives of real kids. Here is their mission statement:

We teach street children art so that they may have a future. Our children have been selected based on specific criteria. All of the children were between 6 and 11 when enrolled; they had never attended school nor did they eat on a regular basis. Many of our children are orphaned and are destined to a life on the streets. The children who are blessed with family are still living a life of severe poverty that should not exist in a world as advanced as ours. Knowing that these children now have an opportunity for a better life, an education, consistent supply of food and medical care is an overwhelming relief to the children.

If you have traveled abroad at all, then you know first-hand how very blessed we are in the US. One of the real opportunities for people in affluent societies is to be charitable in giving and helping those in needs. I am so proud to be familiar with many such people. If you have ever wondered about helping to make a financial difference for someone in need, then giving to the children of Haiti is a wonderful opportunity. The art the kids produce is bright and cheerful, a real joy to the soul. When you buy it, you are not only treating yourself to an amazing piece of art, but you are also helping the kids and their communities in a very direct way. The money goes to those in need where they can then buy food, fabric, canvas, clay, paint, and other supplies needed.