Get to Know Adeline, our Transitional Home Director!

By Heather Gentzel,
Communications and Child Sponsorship Coordinator

I first had the pleasure of getting to know Adeline, our kind-hearted Transitional Home Director, when she was visiting our U.S. office last winter.  At that point, I
felt like I already knew her, having read her reports on the girls in our Transitional Homes. The thing that really struck me when reading these reports was how well she knew each of the girls in our homes, and how much she cared for each of them individually.  When asked how the girls were doing, she could immediately tell us how each girl’s week had been, how they were doing in school, who was getting along with who that week, what their hopes and fears are, what they dream of becoming one day…I was
amazed.

When I sat down with her several months later to interview her in Haiti, I saw even more of her heart revealed.  No doubt you will see her passion not only for the girls in our Transitional Homes and for children living in restavek, but also for the people of Haiti, through her answers in this staff spotlight. May you be inspired that there really are people out there making a big difference in the world.  Meet Adeline!

How long have you been working with Restavek Freedom?

5 years, 7 months and 3 days.

How did you first find out about
Restavek Freedom?

I first heard about the organization from my friend Nadine, who is a Child Advocate with Restavek Freedom.

What languages do you speak?

Creole, French and English

What do you like most about your job?

1. Changing the girls’ lives
2. Playing with the girls
3. Spending time with the girls
4. When the girls say I am very important in their life
5. Talking with the girls
6. Being their mother

What is one of the hardest parts of your job?

When one of the girls seems sad and I try to help them, but sometimes I can’t.

What is one thing you have learned through your job?

All children are intelligent and have a dream.

What do you like most about your country?

I like my flag, because when I look at it I can see I am an independent woman living in an independent country.

What is one thing people might not know about Haiti?

We are loving; we have a lot of love to share.  Also, some don’t know we are a proud people.

What do you wish most for Haiti?

I wish for all Haitians to be equal. For all children to have food to eat, to go to school, have a house to live in, and have someone to love them.

What do you wish most for children living in restavek?

All of the girls in the house have big dreams; I just want their dreams to be realized. I don’t want them to be disappointed in the future.

What most motivates you in your job?

I believe in change. If I can motivate one of the girls in the house, I believe I can change Haiti and the world. The girls motivate me.

What is your favorite song, book or movie?

My favorite movies are War Room and Courageous (they both talk about integrity).  And my favorite song is Merci La Vi by Emeline Michel.

What are your favorite things to do when you’re not working?

Reading and eating peanut ice cream.

If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would it be?  

I would go to Senegal (in Africa).

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

I would want to be able to change things and put more love inside each person.

What is one thing you’d like to accomplish in your life?

I would like to have somewhere to receive all of the people who are on the street and don’t have somewhere to go at night.  I would feed them, give them a place to sleep, and also have a village for children living in restavek – I would like each of them to have a loving family and be able to go to school.

Thank you, Adeline for your dedication to the girls in our Transitional Homes and to children living in restavek in Haiti!