St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children is a school and medical facility located in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The center is the major facility in Haiti that services handicapped children. The center was founded in 1945 by the Episcopal Order of the Sisters of Saint Margaret, which is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sister's continue to be a part of the Episcopal presence in Haiti, but no longer operate major institutions of the Church there. St. Vincent's is now the sole responsibility of the Episcopal Bishop of Haiti.
When St. Vincent's first opened its doors, there were just six blind, deaf or malnourished children in its care. Through hard work and support from many people around the world, the Center has increased medical services and schooling for handicapped children. Today, St. Vincent's provides medical attention, schooling, food and clothing for over 350 students of whom more than 150 live at the center. Most of these students are deaf, blind, or physically handicapped. The number of students increases weekly as children are admitted or literally dropped off at the doorstep by parents who can no longer care for them. Twenty-five children between the ages of six and ten were admitted as residents in 2006.
The main campus is located at 119 Rue Paul VI in Port-au-Prince, in proximity to the palace and other government buildings. It houses the Center's administative offices, the school's offices, sixteen classrooms and music area, the medical clinic and operating room, an eye clinic, a dental clinic, a brace shop, cooking and dining facilities and a guest facility for visiting volunteers. Dormitories for both male and female infants and older girls are also at the main campus. A block away is the housing facility for boys and young men. That campus has dormitories for the boys and a number of depots for food and donated items. There are 120 adults on the staff and faculty of St. Vincent's. Many of them reside at one or the other campuses to care for the children in residence.
Though St. Vincent's provides a safe haven for these children, their lives are full of hardships. The staff and faculty of St. Vincent's continue to do what they can to provide adequate living conditions, education and medical care for its population, yet it is a constant struggle to keep the children clothed, fed, educated, and in good health. YOU can help!
Programs at St. Vincent's Center include:
Last updated on 5/19/07