God’s Littlest Angels (GLA) is a Haitian orphanage located in the mountains above Petion-Ville, in the village of Fort Jacques. The majority of the children brought to the orphanage are between the ages of newborn and eight years old. We also have sibling groups, and children with special needs. GLA offers short term assistance to children needing a place to stay due to ill health or the death of a parent but who are not for adoption. These children will return to their biological families once their circumstances improve. Some children who cannot return to their biological families are waiting for adoptive parents.
God’s Littlest Angels has ministered to the children of Haiti since 1994 and has been involved in international adoptions since 1997. In the year 2000, GLA implemented a school sponsorship program for children unable to attend school due to the lack of funds. Today, around 200 children attend school sponsored by people in North America and Europe.
God’s Littlest Angels is an independent non-denominational Christian ministry and we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, approved via the United States Internal Revenue Service and incorporated in the State of Colorado. In 2000, GLA Canada was formed and is a registered Canadian Charity. In France, our association is registered as “Association aGLAé”. All financial donations received in the United States and Canada will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
We are a faith mission relying on God to provide funding and other needs through churches and donors throughout North America and Europe. GLA was incorporated in Illinois as a not-for-profit Christian organization in April, 1997. In 2002, offices were moved to Colorado. We have independent Boards of Directors in both the US and Canada. In Haiti, GLA is licensed by the Minister of Social Affairs of Haiti through IBESR.
The Story of God’s Littlest Angels
God’s Littlest Angels was founded by John and Dixie Bickel on Christmas Day, 1994, when a 1 pound 15 ounce baby was born at the local mission hospital in Fermathe. Because of her size, she was not given much of a chance for survival.
With the parents’ permission, Dixie took the baby home. John put his skills to work making an incubator out of a cardboard box and a heating pad. At the time, Dixie didn’t have access to IV supplies, so she kept the baby alive by feeding her with an eye dropper every two hours. Within four days, she was drinking from a doll bottle.
After four months, Angel Noël went home to her parents. We kept in contact with Angel Noël for many years. We have not heard from her family since the earthquake of 2010 displaced so many people in Port-au-Prince, but we continue to pray that her family is still safe and well.
What We Do
Education Sponsor Change the Life of a Child through Education
There are 4 million children under the age of 18 in Haiti and only 1 out of 3 of them are able to attend school. This problem is compounded by the fact that there is no public school system in Haiti and therefore, paying for children to attend private school is very expensive. This means that a lot of children are being deprived of an education. Here at GLA, we truly believe that providing Haitian students with an education will not only change the life of one student but will also directly impact that child’s family and ultimately, the future of Haiti. In a country where the average income is only a few hundred dollars per year and school costs upwards of $700 USD per student, it is nearly impossible for a poor family to send even one of their children to school for the year. For $550 USD per year, you can sponsor a student’s tuition for an entire year.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
God’s Littlest Angels mission is to provide exceptional neonatal care and a safe haven to the smallest, sickest, and most vulnerable children of Haiti. Approximately, 1 in 8 infants in Haiti are born prematurely (before 37 weeks); causes rooted in maternal malnutrition, chronic food instability, preeclampsia, and other maternal health conditions. Infant mortality in Haiti is the highest within the Western Hemisphere; 34% of all childhood deaths occur within the first 28 days of life. In a country of 11.5 million people, the need for a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is immense. There are only 5 NICUs, including GLA, within the entire country.
Meet Our Haiti Team
Our Haiti team can be described as dedicated and committed! With Haiti being one of the poorest countries in the world, children come through our gates from the most difficult of circumstances, from medical issues to malnourishment, to parent abandonment; what our staff has to face is nothing short of heartbreaking.
And yet, we see smiles all over the campus. In the garden, children are caring for the “crops.” In Parker Hall, the kitchen staff prepares meals. Dr. A & Laud are keeping the organization running. Laughter, fun, crafting, gardening, and learning are what happens at the GLA campus, and that is all because we have a team of dedicated and committed staff. They are the hands and feet of Christ. Children need nourishment, love, safety, and protection, and this team is there every step of the way. GLA and the children that come through those gates are blessed by the Haiti team!