If you’ve ever visited our showroom, you’ve probably met Rachel. Beside having an eye for fashion (a FIDM graduate) and a love for wedding dresses, she is caring and compassionate. This is evident in how she interacts with EB’s brides, but also what she does outside of her work here. At the end of May, Rachel is going to Haiti. She will be volunteering at Maison de Lumiere – a home orphaned and at-risk children in Port au Prince. Maison de Lumiere is just one of the programs supported by financial donations given to Child Hope International – a non-profit organization committed to providing a loving, nurturing, and safe environment to Haitian children.
Why Haiti? Because it is there that you find 450,000 orphans and 300,000 children in slavery.
Child Hope International is the sole supporter of Maison de Lumiere, but also funds other programs including medical relief and feeding the homeless. After the earthquake in January 2010 Child Hope used earthquake donation funds to help people get out of tents and back into homes. They formed construction crews comprised of previously unemployed Haitians to assist in the effort. Over the last year, they have issued grants to people to cover one year’s rent, repaired over 75 homes, built numerous pre-fab wooden homes and assisted with moving expenses for those who wanted to move out of Port-au-Prince and back to their villages.
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A Word from Rachel:
What inspired you to volunteer in Haiti and with this organization?
“For years I have had a heart for missions and working with children around the world, and when I heard about this opportunity to go to Haiti I could feel God leading me there. After reading about Child Hope and speaking with people who have served there in the past, I had completely fallen in love with the children and story of the Massaserro family who gave up everything to follow God and serve the people of Haiti. Even before the 2010 major earthquake, Haiti was a broken, poverty stricken, malnourished, and violent nation in need of love and attention by the world and people around them. My heart aches for the Haitian people and the devastation and suffering they endure in their lives. Child Hope has been a beacon of light for Haiti and its children through all of the programs, services, and love they provide. These children at the orphanage will the the future leaders of their nation. For all of these reasons, I am inspired and blessed to be able to go and serve God, Child Hope, and the people of Haiti.”
What do you hope to accomplish?
“The greatest things the Haitian people and these children need is to be loved…not only that we love them, but to be shown that God unconditionally loves them. I am going over there with an open and serving heart for these kids and for what God wants to do through me. Its not a matter of what I want to accomplish, but rather what God’s will is for our team going and the people of Haiti. I have two hands and one big heart, so whatever the orphanage needs done or however God wants to use me, I’m in and ready.”
In support of Rachel’s big heart and the work she will be doing in Haiti, Encore Bridal will be donating 5% of our profit from each gown sold in May, to Child Hope International. We thank you for helping us make this possible.
Want to make a personal donation? Donate Online
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Want to know more about Child hope and planning your wedding. Katie Tiffany, former volunteer at Maison de Lumiere, and wedding planner extraordinaire will be our Sunday Style Salon special guest, May 15th. Have questions about venues? Want some planning tips? Want to know more about Child Hope International? Katie will be there to answer your most burning questions.
