Help One Now initially partnered with Yahve Shamma Children’s Home in 2010 through a Child Sponsorship Program geared toward meeting the needs of each and every child at the home. Through this sponsorship, the basic needs of food, clean water, and clothing were met for the children. Over the course of 3 years, funds were raised through Garage Sales for Orphans to build safe and secure bunk homes for the children, a clean water well, a playground, new bathroom facilities and more. With the burden of caring for basic needs and shelter met, Pastor Gaétan was able to dedicate his time and resources toward educating the children, as heviewed education as a powerful living entity that would transform the future generation. Gaétan immediately gathered all the supplies he could and constructed a five-room tent school in 2011. The school served not only the 30 orphans at Yahve Shamma, but also paved a way for over 150 vulnerable children within the surrounding community to have access to education. Such drive motivated Help One Now to initiate and launch its first Legacy Project Campaign in 2012 to build a larger permanent school at Yahve Shamma.

“It makes us very sad to know that some kids have the desire to learn and better themselves, but they are forced to stay at home because of financial problems. I feel like their creativity, passions and ambitions are being robbed from them. We want to be able to offer an adequate and well-balanced education to these children. This is our hope!”
– Gaétan Alcégaire

In the fall of 2012, fundraising for our first Legacy Project began. With funds procured, building began early 2013, and by October, Williamson Adrien Academy (a two story, 14 classroom school house) officially opened. Where a tent-like structure of tarp and poles once stood, an impressive building now stands. Where volunteer teachers and 150 kids once met subject to the elements, over 300 students and 17 certified teachers now meet in a safe learning environment. The building is complete, but the story—the LEGACY—is just beginning. Over time, thousands of Haiti’s children will receive a good education at this school. Education today. Change tomorrow.