CNN: Expose Human Trafficking at Son of God Orphanage in Haiti

How We Won

Oct 21, 2011

After continued visits to the Son of God Orphanage in Carrefour, Haiti, six charitable organizations (Adventures in Missions, Bridgeway Church, Timberline Church, Children's HopeChest, Journey Community Church, and Respire Haiti) discovered some serious neglect and abuse of the children.

On behalf of the coalition of organizations, Tom Davis of Children's HopeChest launched a campaign on Change.org asking CNN to investigate the situation. Over 10,000 letters from Change.org members later, CNN has responded by looking into the allegations and working with people on the ground in Haiti to investigate possible child trafficking there.

But even better, this campaign helped pressure the Haitian government to do something they rarely do -- admit there was significant abuse and neglect at an orphanage and shut it down. Now, the children at Son of God are being moved to safer places, and CNN is on the case.

Thanks to everyone who participate in this campaign!

Why This Is Important

We are petitioning CNN and reporter Amber Lyon to bring their international media voice and passion for ending slavery into the Son of God Orphanage. Please urge CNN to expose the corruption within the Haitian government, and allow international organizations to secure the children from the child traffickers who are now controlling the orphanage.

The evidence in hand shows:

> Children have been and are currently being trafficked from the Son of God Orphanage. The evidence on human trafficking leads back to the Son of God orphanage. The orphanage director was imprisoned in July as part of a police-led operation that resulted in his conviction of trafficking a child.

> Haitian investigators have told our team the evidence suggests organ harvesting and trafficking as well.

> Numerous photos show extreme physical abuse and neglect. U.S. and Haitian doctors have documented cases of severe abuse and neglect including burns and broken bones.

> As recently as October 10, American volunteers took children with late-stage starvation out of the orphanage and to local doctors. Without this intervention, the doctors confirmed the children could have died of starvation.

> After boldly bringing these facts to the attention of government officials, American citizens received death threats from those associated with the current orphanage leadership--documented by the Haitian police.

This orphanage must be shut down. Other orphanages are ready and willing to take these children. Please urge CNN to cover this story and work to close this orphanage and re-locate the children immediately.

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