Featured Child - Rico
Rico
Birthday: July 28
Rico came to live at Haitian Chldren’s Home on August 9, 2007. His mom is dying of congestive heart failure and his father passed away 4 years ago. His family is from the rural mountains 4-hour hike outside Jacmel. Rico has 9 older brothers and sisters that were also too poor to care for him. His mother was evicted from her home. Rico was literally days away from becoming another Jacmel street kid or restivic, (slave child) in a neighbor’s home. Although he is older he has not advanced passed the first grade, as the family was too poor to send him to school. Our goal this year is to hire a private tutor for him, as we have already begun working with him, and he is very intelligent and seems to learn quickly, in hopes to catch him up to the appropriate grade so that we can send him to school the following year.
He is adjusting very well, becoming best friends with Evens, and learning the routines and structure in the home. Please continue praying for him though. Danny has had to discipline him twice for stealing (candy) and learning how to treat his younger brothers and sisters. He is also not enjoying the concept of chores, like most teenage boys. However, he has a great smile and ‘no worries’ attitude with a great sense of humor. It will be interesting to watch him grow.
Rico currently has 0 out of 4 sponsors to cover his monthly living expenses.
Here is Evens and Rico hanging outside. This photo was taken on Rico’s first day living at the orphanage:
Here is Rico and Papa Danny carrying a soccer goal during the Raymond Soccer Tournament:
Here is Rico working in the orphanage kitchen grating coconut:
