Rose Andre grew up with a single mother. A little over a year ago, she found herself in a terrible situation with no idea what to do. Rose Andre became pregnant to a much older man. She was just 15 years old. She was in school, but stopped going when she became pregnant.
She was ashamed and embarrassed. And she had no idea what she was going to do once the baby arrived. How would she support him? She lived with her mother who struggled to make ends meet. She knew her mom would not be able to help cover the costs that go along with taking care of a newborn.
Rose Andre, though she didn’t intend to get pregnant, knew that she loved the baby inside of her, and wanted to be able to care for him when he was born. But she had no options and came to terms with the fact that she would have to give him up for adoption. She didn’t know what else to do.
She was referred to HFF by a woman from our program. Rose Andre thought that her meeting with us was to determine the logistics of giving her baby away once he was born. When we spoke to her we explained that that was not our intention, but rather we wanted to talk with her about her options for keeping and parenting her baby.
Rose Andre was so filled with happiness to know that she would keep her baby. We determined that HFF would provide assistance with her school tuition, supplemental formula once the baby arrived for the hours she would be unable to breast feed while at school, and that we would help arrange for child care with one of the other woman in our programs. 
Today, 16 year old Rose Andre is in school, in the 6th grade. Her baby boy, Kewens, is just over 4 months. He is happy, healthy, safe, at home with his loving mother. He will grow up knowing that his mother loved him enough to seek whatever option she could to ensure him the best life, and because of the assistance HFF is able to provide, his best life is at home in Montrouis, Haiti with his mom.
Fordlenson
Douna
Fifi, Yulnik, Jamie
Stevenski & mom
Ylionise
Junia & Jeremie
Ben
Orons & Grandma
Bradley
Jeffline & Rudjerry
Yulnik
Marlie
By Jamie McMutrie
The children and families in our programs never hesitate in letting us know how grateful they are for what we do for them. I remember saying goodbye one day after delivering the weekly supply of formula to a grandmother who is raising her granddaughter, after the baby’s mother had passed away. Under her breath I heard her murmuring, but couldn’t make out what she was saying. I asked her, “What?” and her voice caught as she said in kreyol “I don’t know, I just don’t know, how do I say thank you, how do I thank you enough?”
This is why we do what we do at Haitian Families First. A grandmother who is able to honor the life of her daughter, who died too soon because of complications in child birth, by being a loving parent to her sweet grandbaby. A little girl who will grow up knowing that those who loved her did everything they could do to provide her with the best life possible.
We asked our families to share some of the things they’re thankful for this week.
Schneidine – 7 years old
“I am thankful for my life with my mom and my sister Daphka and my baby brother Jeremie.”
Sara – 7 years old
“I am thankful for the help that people give to make it possible for me to go to school!”
Kervens – 3 years old
“I am thankful for Ali and her white hair.”
Auguste (dad of children in our program)
“I am thankful for you [Jamie] because you take care of my family.”
Rose-Andre – 16 years old
“I am thankful that Jamie and Ali helped me keep my baby when I didn’t think it would be possible.”
Next week, we’d like to share with you more about Rose Andre’s story, but this week I’d like to end by saying, “Thank you!” Every day, Ali & I are so thankful for you and your support of Haitian Families First. And this Thanksgiving, please know we’ll think of you and say an extra special thank you for what you do for us. You allow us to be a small part of providing hope and love to our families. And that is worth more to us than these thankful voices can express. Peace and love to you this Thanksgiving.