On the “Our Stories” page of our website, we’ve introduced you to Junia, a Haitian woman who, not so long ago, faced the same difficult choice many Haitian parents do: watching both of her two daughters go hungry or relinquishing one of them to an orphanage. Not much of a choice at all, really.
A single mother whose partner had been abusive to her, Junia had lost her job when her employer downsized, and, without the means to support her children, she didn’t think there was anywhere to turn to for help except one of Haiti’s many orphanages. But then someone told her about Jamie and Ali. As it turned out, their meeting came at a very opportune time for both Junia and Jamie and Ali: for Junia needed help and Jamie and Ali needed a new staff member.
Her own family no longer in crisis, Junia works alongside Jamie and Ali with fathers whose wives have died in child birth, with families whose youngest members are ill, and with hospital staff caring for premature or abandoned babies. Once a woman with nowhere to turn, Junia is now one of our most indispensable team members.
Junia’s commitment to HFF’s mission to nurture children by building strong families and communities goes far beyond her work day. As a single, working mom, Junia realized she needed a supportive community around her, so she built one: together with other working moms, she created a network of women who can rely on each other to help out with their children when needed. This network even allowed one neighbor to raise her infant niece after the newborn’s mother died giving birth. Junia is a wonderful role model for her two daughters. In her “free” time, she takes classes in English and computers, so it’s not surprising that both of her girls love school and get excellent grades.
Perhaps most importantly, Junia is showing others a new solution to Haiti’s “orphan crises.” Domestic adoption of non-related children is very rare in Haiti, but if Junia has anything to say about it, it won’t be for long. Junia is in the process of adopting an infant named Jeremie, who, born prematurely, weighed just over 2 pounds when Junia decided to bring him home with her. Now the pride of Junia, her daughters, and the whole neighborhood, Jeremie weighs 11 pounds, 6 ounces! Junia’s courageous decision to care for a sick, premature newborn whose mother—a woman Junia never met—had died has been invaluable to advancing HFF’s work. Junia is a shining example to Haitians and non-Haitians alike of just how resilient, determined, and compassionate her people can be.
Thank you, Junia, for all that you have done and for all that you are!
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