Giving Back with Little Footprints, Big Steps

For a period of three months I will be volunteering in the Little Footprints, Big Step orphanage and gaining various skill set related to my field of studies, International development and Globalization. I will not have the opportunity to travel to a wonderful country but to give back to a communities previously struck by disasters and poverty.

Little Footprints, Big Steps collaborates with local authorities and organizations to protect and heal children victim of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or homeless. The non-profit organisation also advocates for the prevention of child abandonment and abuse in Haiti. In some cases, the children have been placed in their care by Haitian authorities. Through their strong presence within the Haitian community, LFBS provides abandoned and abused children a supportive family setting in which 24 hour security and supervision is provided. Their involvement in these children’s lives includes offering them a shelter, medical care, nutritional care and educational advancement.

In sum, providing programs and services that includes supporting basic education, vocational training, micro-business, agriculture, health and well-being, LFBS goal is to help these children, not only physically, but also in the development of psycho-social and coping skills that their traumatic pasts may have deprived them of. In such, on a long term basis, the non-profit organisation seeks to offer these children and their community opportunities for self-sufficiency, self-determination and strengthened families. Although the Transitional Safe house is located in the city of Les Cayes, LFBS also support children and youth reunited with their families across the country through their Outreach and Sponsorship programs.