La Maison l'Arc-en-Ciel
Rainbow House provides 24 hour medical care for the children of whom 15 are recieveing antiviral medication for HIV. Since inception, Danielle and Robert have witnessed a measurable improvement in the health and quality of life for the children in their care. For the first few years they were losing 2-3 children annually but in recent years no child has died.
Rainbow House
La Maison l'Arc-en-Ciel (Rainbow House) was founded in 1996 by Robert and Danielle Penette. Arc-en-Ciel is a Haitian Non-Government Organization (NGO) that operates:
- a residence for 36 children orphaned by HIV/AIDS
- an outreach center for approximately 100 families affected by HIV/AIDS and
- a Community mobilization program providing education, training and technical support to community based organizations, enabling them to address medical and social issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in their communities
The Mission of Arc-en-Ciel:
"To provide a loving and caring environment to everyone we serve so they recognize their value and know they are loved. To provide a holistic approach to meet the needs of the people we serve. To provide community-based education and outreach to reduce the stigma associated with AIDS and find constructive solutions to reduce its incidence and transmission."
Overview of Arc-en-Ciel's Projects
The Orphanage
La Maison l'Arc-en-Ciel operates a residence for children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. This home provides a loving environment for the 36 children living there, supplying all the needs of the children including: medical care, prevention awareness, food, shelter, psychological and social support, education, recreation, hospitalization palliative care and protection. These children are a vital part of the community outreach program to address the stigma HIV/AIDS. The House currently provides antiretroviral treatments to 15 of the children.
The Outreach Center
The Arc-en-Ciel Outreach Center is currently providing support for more than 100 families affected by HIV/AIDS. This support is providing these families with a better quality of life and helping them care for their children at home. The Center provides home visits, medical care, prevention awareness, nutritional support, psychological and social support, school fees and funeral expenses. The Center works with community-based programs to address the stigma of HIV/AIDS. They also provide peer-to-peer training workshops to allow children to go to schools and community organizations and provide education regarding HIV support and awareness. Support groups are formed by the Center's parents allowing them a forum and outlet for discussion and social support. Upon entry to the Center, parents provide their children's birth certificates allowing the Center to assist should the caregiver die, providing advocacy for the children.
Community Mobilization Project
Arc-en-Ciel has been recognized by organizations like UNICEF as a model program for community-based HIV/AIDS education and awareness. Through this acknowledgement and the overwhelming need in Haiti for increased awareness and prevention, Arc-en-Ciel has introduced a Community Mobilization project to reach-out to community based organizations, providing training for leaders and groups in the greater Port-au-Prince area, education, training and supporting them as they address the issues of HIV/AIDS in their own communities. This program will provide training to sensitize churches, schools, medical centers, community organizations, traditional leaders and healers, etc. to the reality of HIV and the need to address the disease in a human and holistic manner. The project will train people to train others on HIV/AIDS, communication, community participation and will address the issue of discrimination. These trainers will be provided with technical support and in-service training regarding nutrition, child needs, health, etc. Arc-en-Ciel will continue to support these community-based organizations after they receive training and begin their own community initiatives.
Robert and Danielle Penette are the founders of La Maison l'Arc-en-Ciel.
To read about one visitor's experience at Arc-en-Ciel, click here to read her article from The American Catholic.
Haitian Ministries and Arc-en-Ciel
Haitian Ministries has been working with Arc-en-Ciel since 2000 providing financial support for the orphanage for children living with HIV/AIDS. This funding has enabled Danielle and Robert Pénette to provide shelter and support as well as medical care to the 36 children residing at the House. Finding support for the orphanage has been the most challenging project for Arc-en-Ciel and we continue to seek more funding for the children at the House.
Current Needs
There is a lot of work to be done and if you are interested in providing support for these endeavors you may contact Emily Smack at haiti.ministry@snet.net or call 860-848-2237 ext. 206.