Omicron Surges…Casino Night Event Cancelled

Omicron Surges…Casino Night Event Cancelled

Omicron Surges…Casino Night Event Cancelled

Mardi Gras Casino Night Fundraiser CANCELLED!

Just when we thought it was safe to host a major in-person fundraiser, the Omicron variant surge halted us in our efforts. After careful consideration of supporters and event patrons, we are canceling our Casino Night Fundraiser which was scheduled for February 25th.

I saw a billboard today which read “2020 too…2022” – it made me pause to think back to our world almost 2 years ago. We’ve watched cases surge and calm and now surge again. It is confusing and an emotional rollercoaster as to what course of action we should take in regards to fundraising. Equally, these emotions play out for our efforts with our mission in Haiti. With no major in-person fundraisers in the past two years, we’ve had to dip into our depleting endowment and we are on the edge of budget cuts.

The Foundation is working with founder and MFO director Jean Louis to navigate a reduced budget and still devote funding towards a solid parochial education, meals, medication, housing, and care for the 177 residents of Maison Fortune Orphanage. Your support is crucial in our success to raise the future leaders of Haiti.

Would you please consider making a contribution in lieu of what you may have spent for a ticket to attend our canceled event? Individual tickets were set at $55 each and couples at $100.

To donate directly to the children of Maison Fortune Orphanage, Hinche, Haiti please visit our website Venmo @MFOF20

Checks can be mailed to:

PO Box 3092

Chesapeake, VA 23327

Please stay safe and be well!

With Love for all you do for the children,

Babs Zuhowski,
Executive Director

Make A Donation

Sponsor a Child or Young Adult

Volunteer

MAISON FORTUNÉ

ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3092, Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

Email: Helpthechildren@mfofoundation.org

 


 

MFO Spirit of the Season Part 3

MFO Spirit of the Season Part 3

MFO Spirit of the Season Part 3

Spirit of the Season Part 3
The boys’ campus is bustling with activity today as residents and staff decorate, cook, and make ready for spreading the Spirit of the Season.

Earlier this week, students visited with local poor to invite them to a campus celebration tomorrow afternoon (Christmas Eve day), the children of Maison Fortune Orphanage will share the boy’s campus with local Hinche citizens who are disadvantaged and disabled.

The outreach event will encompass a dance exhibition, music, and sharing light refreshments with the less fortunate. Thank you for your support of our youth. With your help, we are instilling the love of simple acts of human kindness and goodwill.

The outreach event will encompass a dance exhibition, music and sharing light refreshments with the less fortunate. Thank you for your support of our youth. With your help, we are instilling the love of simple acts of human kindness and goodwill.

As we celebrate the Spirit of the Season please remember the children of Maison Fortune Orphanage. Your tax-deductible donation is a great way to honor a loved one this holiday season. The Foundation will notify your designated recipient of your honorarium.

Donate today in honor of a loved one!

Together with our dedicated team of 53 Haitian staff members, 177 residents, 222 day students, ten Board members and YOU, the Spirit of the Season is shining brightly on the campus of Maison Fortune Orphanage. Thank you!

Jwaye Nwel and Mesi Anpil to Seton Hall University’s Division Of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE)

It has been five years since our partners at Seton Hall University traveled to share time and Christian fellowship with our residents at Maison Fortune Orphanage. Civil unrest has unfortunately prevented these trips and visits.

In the early part of 2021, I reached out to the DOVE director, Michelle Peterson and we discussed ways to reconnect, and “Zanmi Chat” was born. Over the rest of the school year, Seton Hall students connected online via Google Hang-outs with our older resident boys and girls. They talk about everything – from their favorite foods and classes to how they spend their free time. It has been a wonderful way to stay connected and share cultures.

DOVE’s support of Maison Fortune Orphanage this school year has been incredible! We are grateful for DOVE’s help in funding new desks, benches, chairs, mattresses, paint, and dining tables. Tomorrow’s outreach celebration is completely funded by DOVE – including the purchase of the annual “Christmas Bull” which is a big treat for our residents. They consume this meat throughout the Christmas break, culminating on New Year’s day with soup joumou!

On behalf of the children and staff of Maison Fortune Orphanage, we are so thankful for our partners at Seton Hall University’s DOVE and send wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Mardi Gras Casino Night Tickets.February 25, 2022

MFOF is raising the future leaders of Haiti with funds generated through our upcoming Casino Night! The Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation will be hosting a Casino Night fundraiser on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Limitless Events in Chesapeake, VA. Food, gaming, and fellowship in support of the 177 residents and 222 days students – please register today to help the children!

Please support MFOF’s Mardi Gras Casino Night with your ticket purchase! Tickets and details are available on our website!

Wishing you all the joys and spirits of the season –
Jwaye Nwél ak Bon Ane!

Babs Zuhowski,
Executive Director

Make A Donation

Sponsor a Child or Young Adult

Volunteer

MAISON FORTUNÉ

ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3092, Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

Email: Helpthechildren@mfofoundation.org

 


 

Spirit of the Season Part 2

Spirit of the Season Part 2

Spirit of the Season Part 2

Spirit of the Season Part 2
Community outreach in Hinche is underway! MFO student ambassadors are spreading goodwill and the Spirit of the Season as they share time with the poor and handicapped people in their community. With the help of Chantel, the head of the girls’ campus, our teen girls passed out holiday cards and spread kindness and cheer to the less fortunate in Hinche this past weekend.

On December 24th, the children are excited to host and entertain poverty-stricken and disadvantaged local citizens on the boy’s campus. An evening of dancing, music and lots of Christmas cheer is planned! The goodwill endeavor embodies the meaning of Christmas and is instilling the value of human kindness for our children. We are so proud of our future leaders of Haiti – opening up their hearts to bring the Spirit of the Season. Please take a moment to see the clips from their recent outreach in the community.

Clip One Invitation Clip Two Outreach

 

Help the children this Holiday season with your Donation!

 


Mardi Gras Casino Night Tickets.February 25, 2022

MFOF is raising the future leaders of Haiti with funds generated through our upcoming Casino Night! The Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation will be hosting a Casino Night fundraiser on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Limitless Events in Chesapeake, VA. Food, gaming, and fellowship in support of the 177 residents and 222 days students – please register today to help the children!

Please support MFOF’s Mardi Gras Casino Night with your ticket purchase! Tickets and details are available on our website!

Make A Donation

Sponsor a Child or Young Adult

Volunteer

MAISON FORTUNÉ

ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3092, Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

Email: Helpthechildren@mfofoundation.org

 


 

MFO Spirit of the Season Part 1

MFO Spirit of the Season Part 1

MFO Spirit of the Season Part 1

Spirit of the Season Part 1
As we look forward to holiday time with friends and family, please remember the children of Maison Fortune Orphanage. We are so blessed to have your continued support for the 177 resident children and additional 222-day students. The second half of 2021 has been a tumultuous time in Haiti – but through it all, our children have remained safe, continued their studies, and been nurtured by our all-Haitian staff thanks to you!

During the month of December, our students will take part in community outreach in Hinche with the help of founder Jean Louis. They will embody the “Spirit of the Season.” The MFO student ambassadors will spread goodwill over the Christmas season by sharing time with the poor in their local community. Through simple acts of kindness and cheer, they will show the true reason for the season: peace, joy, and love. We are indeed very proud of our children for they truly are the future of Haiti!

Help the children this holiday season with your donation!

Update: New calm on the crisis in Haiti

The gas shortages spurred by gang control which afflicted the country of Haiti in October and November are slowly subsiding. However, the rippling effects are still present. Staple prices for food remain inflated, but luckily, stock is now available in Hinche. In late October, staff traveled to Cap Haitian in order to get food stock, as none was available locally at a reasonable price.

At the end of November, a new ministerial cabinet has taken charge of assisting the interim Prime Minister with day-to-day governance. They have their work cut out for them and restoring order in the wake of the gang control and violence is a high priority.

Jean Louis reports “things are slowly returning to normal” in Hinche.

Mardi Gras Casino Night
Get tickets NOW!

Make A Donation

Sponsor a Child or Young Adult

Volunteer

MAISON FORTUNÉ

ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3092, Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

Email: Helpthechildren@mfofoundation.org

 


 

Alert! Gang’s Grip Hold Spreads in Haiti

Alert! Gang’s Grip Hold Spreads in Haiti

Alert! Gang’s Grip Hold Spreads in Haiti

How much more devastation can Haitians withstand? The effects of the gripping gang control in Port Au Prince are now spreading everywhere in Haiti…even to the town of Hinche. Food shortages, scarcity, and astronomically high prices for gas and staple food stock are out of reach for the average Haitian.

Protesters across Haiti took to the streets on Monday, unified and calling for change. The national protests are on hiatus this weekend but will resume on Monday. Schools and businesses will remain closed. The children of Maison Fortuné Orphanage are remaining on campus for their safety. Jean Louis, founder of Maison Fortuné Orphanage described scenes of peaceful demonstrations; yet there was an undercurrent of “bad elements” in the crowds – looters and opportunists. He said, “it is scary.” The little pop-up roadside shops seen all around Haiti are the primary victims. These bad elements have been seen with long sticks and ropes, whipping at these shop keepers – and then stealing their stock. The photo to the right is from Hinche – only a few blocks from the orphanage, protestors set fire to the police hut.

The cost of food throughout Haiti has doubled – and stores simply do not have items on their shelves. Gas prices have climbed from $2 per liter to $25-$50 -if you can even find it! Maison Fortuné Orphanage purchases bulk food at the beginning of every month at the cost of $6,500. We are projecting costs over $13,000 for the same items, but staff must travel further to obtain them. Jean Louis will hire a driver and medium-sized truck to go to Cap-Haitien next Wednesday or Thursday to buy bulk foods. The cost for the truck services will likely be over $2,000 due to the gas shortages.

The children need your help now! Please donate and help us offset the $15,000 costs for getting food to the children this month. We hope this is only a temporary problem. These are dire and uncertain times for Haiti. Your help is most appreciated!

Make A Donation

Sponsor a Child or Young Adult

Volunteer

MAISON FORTUNÉ

ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3092, Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

Email: Helpthechildren@mfofoundation.org

 


 

Mardi Gras Casino Night Fundraising Event

Mardi Gras Casino Night Fundraising Event

Mardi Gras Casino Night Fundraising Event

 

Event Details

Here’s the Deal: Join the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation as we bring you a wide variety of casino games, fun and frivolity mixed in with a live auction, paddle raise, and rum – all supporting the future leaders of Haiti!

Single tickets $55 ~ Couples $100

Ticket prices include start-up funny-money for gaming, tantalizing tapas, open bar (wine and beer included), and two-stage prize coupons.

Date: Fri, February 25, 2022

Time: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM EST

Location: Limitless Events,625 Independence Parkway Chesapeake, VA 23320

Make A Donation

Sponsor a Child or Young Adult

Volunteer

MAISON FORTUNÉ

ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3092, Chesapeake, VA 23327-3092

Email: Helpthechildren@mfofoundation.org