It has been a few years since two young Pittsburghers found themselves trapped in the midst of a sea of desperation. Their birth certificates said they were babies themselves, but they weren't because they were responsible for the lives of dozens of children. There are stories that haven't been told, but the one that was told was that Jamie and Ali McMutrie did everything they could to save the lives of dozens of Haitian children following the devastating earthquake in early 2010.
Some people would have moved on after watching their orphanage tumble to the ground. Some would have moved on after seeing each of the kids in their care find new homes. Some would have moved on after the devastation in Haiti following the earthquake left the country in an absolutely disastrous state.
Jamie and Ali aren't some people.
Instead of giving themselves a pat on the back, returning to Pittsburgh, and never looking back, Jamie and Ali made the decision to keep working. BRESMA, the orphanage they ran, is no more, but what they are doing now is so much more powerful. Haitian Families First is changing lives one child at a time.
The focus of Haitian Families First is to assess family situations and provide the tools needed to keep that family intact. Maybe it's helping pay for medical expenses. Maybe it's paying for and enrolling a child in school. Maybe it's something as simple as baby formula.
What Jamie and Ali are doing is keeping families together and giving them the tools they need to thrive.
And you can help.
Haitian Families First is in desperate need of formula. There are times when breastfeeding just doesn't work. If what is needed to save a child's life is formula, you better believe I'm going to do what I can to help.
I'm currently trying to find a corporate sponsor that can provide formula to Haitian Families First. It's cheaper to send it to Haiti than it is to buy it there, and a corporate sponsor would be a fantastic long-term solution. However, my efforts to make a connection happen have been slow-going, so I need YOUR help.
1. If you know a company that might be able to provide formula, please let me know in the comments or send me an email (burghbaby at gmail dot com). It could be a manufacturer, or even a store that sells formula.
2. If you have even one can of formula sitting around in your house not being used, please let me know in the comments or send me an email (burghbaby at gmail dot com). I will contact you via email with an address where you can send that formula and arrangements will be made to get it delivered to Haiti.
3. If you would rather make a monetary donation, you can become a formula sponsor or give a one-time donation. Every little bit helps.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.