An estimated 5 to 10 percent of babies in Haiti are born with a serious mental or physical handicap each year.
Many of them never get a chance at life.
Some are abandoned by parents who cannot or will not care for them. Many others die as children from poor medical care.
Ralph was one of those children. He was born with permanent brain damage and, despite his parents’ best efforts, Ralph died as a baby.
It was for children like Ralph that the Miriam center was conceived. Â A generous donor couple, moved by the death of their own daughter to do something for special-needs children in Haiti, worked with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission in 2001 to build the orphanage that is today the Miriam Center.
The only orphanage of its kind in Northwest Haiti, the Miriam Center is a place where disabled children survive and thrive.
Quick Facts on Disability in Haiti
- Disabled children in Haiti are far more likely to die before age 5.
- Cerebral palsy and autism are two of the most common disabilites in Haiti.
- Disabilities in Haiti are often perceived as spiritual in nature, not medical. Because disability is seen to be caused by a curse or bad behavior, special-needs children are often isolated or ostracized.
- There are virtually no government or social rehabilitation services for the disabled in rural Haiti.
How Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is Helping
The Miriam Center
The Miriam Center is a multi-faceted ministry encompassing five areas: an orphanage, a baby orphanage, a community outreach program, a special-needs learning program, and a school for the deaf.
Orphanage and Baby Orphanage – Miriam Home and Rou’s Corner  At these homes, special-needs and terminally-ill children receive around-the-clock care from a dedicated and loving staff. The children are well fed with nutritious meals, and they receive regular physical therapy and medical care.
Our Miriam Home facilities houses special-needs children who have been abandoned or are at high risk in the community, at varying levels of independent and managed living.
Community Outreach – “For Jonathan’s Sake” Program  This program provides daily care and outreach to special-needs children in the community and their families, including meals, physical therapy and education.
Education Program – Luke 2:52 School  This program provides a foundation of learning for all areas of the Miriam Center, providing both school-like structure and regular physical therapy.
Deaf Ministry The Miriam Center’s deaf ministry encompasses a school for hearing-impaired community members and residents of the Miriam Home. All instruction is done in ASL.
How You Can Help
Become a Sponsor
For only $300 a month, we can provide loving, round-the-clock care for one of the children in the Miriam Center. This is made possible by sponsorships from people like you. When they laugh and play, it is because someone cared enough to provide care for them that no one else could.
You can show Christ’s love to one of these children through a full or partial sponsorship. You will receive photos and updates throughout the year, as well as special opportunities to communicate with and bless the child. Sponsors are also welcome to come on mission trips and have the opportunity to meet the children and visit the Miriam Center.
Click here to sponsor a special-needs child today.
(Select “Miriam Center” for Type)
Make a One-Time Gift
If you are unable to commit to a sponsorship, please consider donating to our Miriam Center Fund. Contributions go toward caring for children who could not wait to receive help but are still waiting for a sponsor.
Click here to contribute to the Miriam Center.
Please indicate in your note if the gift is for a particular program within the Miriam Center.
