A Nation in Crisis and a Family Under Siege
How dangerous is Haiti? On August 3, 2025, the Saint-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff—a flagship center of Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS)—was attacked by armed men. Eight people were abducted, including Gena Heraty, coordinator of the NPFS Special Needs Programme, and a three-year-old child, alongside several staff members.
This act of terror unfolded in the midst of a collapsing security situation. Today, more than 200 armed gangs operate across Haiti, with many united in loose coalitions that effectively control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince and large parts of surrounding regions. These groups are not only involved in kidnappings and extortion, but also in deciding who can move, work, or even access food, medicine, and education. Their dominance has reduced state authority to fragments, leaving millions of Haitians vulnerable and afraid.
Amid this surge in Haiti crime, NPFS and its partner, the St. Luke Foundation were forced to make the unimaginable decision to temporarily close St. Damien Pediatric Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital until the kidnapped are safely returned. These are among the few functioning hospitals left for the poor and vulnerable in Port-au-Prince.
In a nation where gangs dictate daily life, NPFS stands as a beacon of hope—yet never has that light been more at risk.
Chronic Instability & Gang Control
Haiti has long been plagued by political fragility and corruption. But in recent years, the rise of hundreds of armed gangs has hollowed out what little remained of state authority. By 2025, these gangs not only fought each other, but also formed shifting alliances that now rival any government institution. Their reach extends to major roads, ports, and food supplies, effectively holding the nation hostage.
Between January and June 2025, Haiti recorded over 3,100 murders and about 336 kidnappings, many targeting aid workers and community leaders. For families, this means no guarantee of safety in their homes, schools, or workplaces.
Natural Disasters
The 2010 earthquake remains a scar on Haiti’s collective memory. It killed more than 200,000 people, displaced millions, and destroyed infrastructure that has never been fully rebuilt. For NPFS, it was a turning point—the collapse of the Father Wasson Center forced new programs to care for hundreds of suddenly orphaned and displaced children.
Poverty & Marginalization
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. More than 80% of the population lives in poverty, and many survive on less than US$2 a day. Public services are scarce or non-existent. Those with disabilities face a double burden: social stigma and the complete absence of government-run support systems.
Water Crisis
In addition to natural disasters, economic instability, and widespread violence, Haiti also faces a severe water crisis, which has left a large percentage of its population deprived of something essential for daily life. UNICEF reported, in 2024, that 7 out of 10 people did not have access to an improved sanitation system, and 25% of households had to resort to open defecation as a result of these conditions.
Water scarcity in the country poses as significant risk for cholera outbreaks and a variety of other health risks for the population at large.
The level of danger in Haiti for vast swaths of the population cannot be overstated, as this cohort of issues compound to create an unimaginably dire situation.
NPFS In Action: Healing Through Programmes de Vie
In this collapsing state, Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS) continues to serve as a lifeline for thousands. Although it’s difficult to illustrate just how dangerous Haiti is, NPFS remains firm in its commitment to its mission of helping Haitian youth, and the country as a whole.
Family-Style Residential Care – St. Hélène & FWAL
Founded in 1987 by Father William Wasson, NPFS’s St. Hélène home in Kenscoff provides safe housing, schools, a clinic, and farmland for hundreds of children. It remains a sanctuary where children can learn, grow, and feel secure despite the turmoil beyond its gates.
After the 2010 earthquake, NPFS launched the Father Wasson Angels of Light (FWAL) program, offering care and schooling to more than 130 displaced children under age 14.
Special Needs Care – Kay Christine & Community Outreach
NPFS runs programs uniquely dedicated to children and adults with disabilities, addressing a gap where no public service exists.
- Kay Christine, at St. Hélène, offers a permanent home for those with complex neurological conditions.
- Kay St. Germaine in Tabarre provides rehabilitation services, education, and therapy for children with disabilities.
- Additional centers like Kay Gabriel and Kay Eliane extend this outreach, supporting families with therapy, microcredit, and training.
These programs challenge stigma, bring dignity, and give individuals opportunities to live fuller lives.
St. Damien Pediatric Hospital – A Lifeline
NPFS’s St. Damien Pediatric Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in Haiti with an oncology unit for children. Each year, it serves tens of thousands of patients, including newborns, pregnant women, and children battling cancer, HIV, or malnutrition.
The hospital is more than a medical center; it is a symbol of hope in a country where access to healthcare is rare.
Education – Don Bosco Program
Through the Don Bosco Program in Tabarre, NPFS supports over 300 students in high school, vocational schools, or universities. By investing in youth, NPFS is building Haiti’s future leadership and resilience. Thanks to NPFS, many children have been able to pursue their dreams of obtaining an education and enjoying better futures.
NPFS Haiti: A Timeline of Hope Amid Crisis
Year Milestone
1987 NPFS founded in Kenscoff; St. Hélène home opens
1999 Kay Christine opens for children with disabilities
2004 First community outreach services begin
2006 St. Damien Pediatric Hospital launches
2008 Kay St. Germaine opens in Tabarre
2010 Earthquake devastates Haiti; NPFS responds with FWAL
2012–2013 FWAL schools and Kay Gabriel & Kay Eliane expand
2024 Nearly 3,000 children supported; over 47,000 hospital services delivered
August 2025 Kidnapping of Gena Heraty, staff, and a child; hospitals forced to close temporarily
The Level of Danger in Haiti :Why NPFS’s Work Is More Vital Than Ever
1. Children are the hidden victims of Haiti crime. The abduction of staff and a child illustrates the cruelty families face every day.
2. Without NPFS, there is nothing. No other institution provides the same scope of education, health care, and special needs programs.
3. NPFS represents hope in despair. For over 35 years, NPFS has stood in Haiti’s darkest moments—providing a future where none existed.
A Call to Action: Stand With Haiti’s Children
The situation in Haiti has never been more dire, and the level of danger for the Haitian population has risen to unprecedented levels. More than 200 gangs control the daily lives of millions, but NPFS refuses to abandon the people it serves.
You can help:
• Donate today to keep St. Damien Hospital open and FWAL running.
• Raise awareness by sharing this story with your community.
• Pray and advocate for the safe release of our kidnapped colleagues and for peace in Haiti.
Closing Reflection
How dangerous is Haiti? The answer is written in fear, violence, and daily survival. But it is also written in resilience, compassion, and courage. At the heart of that courage stands Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS)—providing protection, healing, and dignity in a country fractured by crime and control.
Now more than ever, Haiti’s children need us. Together, we can ensure that darkness does not have the last word.