Don & Doris are in the news! April 2011

Don and Doris were interviewed by Haitian journalists, and the story ran on page 2 in Haiti's newspaper! Here is the link to the story:

http://www.hpnhaiti.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2900:a-marchand-dessalines-la-fondation-peavey-brille-dans-lombre&catid=8:societe&Itemid=14

(the story is translated here in English!)

Without fanfare, The Peavey Foundation, dating back over 40 years and led by the American missionary couple Donald and Doris Peavey worked for the welfare of underprivileged children in the town, Marchand Dessalines, North Haiti, 147 km from Port-au-Prince.

By Christian Jr. Desrameaux

Peavey Foundation performs a colossal work in the first capital of Haiti, but the work of an octogenarian couple Donald and Doris seldom has any limelight on the national or international stage. Without a doubt, these devout Christians who have "an abiding faith in the mission that the Lord had entrusted to them,” maintain the principle of Christianity (that says) the left hand does not know what the right hand gives.

The property of the Foundation spans more than four (4) acres of land and houses a church, a primary school, dormitories for the children of the orphanage, ponds for fish farming, a non-regulatory soccer field, clinic open to the public, plots reserved for farming and gardening and houses for the guests. The orphanage has 56 children and more than 200 students are enrolled at the foundation’s school.

Given the advanced age of the pioneers nicknamed "Mom" (Doris) and "Dad" (Donald), the Peavey Foundation is administered by Ruben Alfonse who was raised at the orphanage with his twin sister Rachel. With a smile, "Mom" introduced Rode, 37, as the first adopted child to the orphanage. She (Rode) is married with two children, but she still maintains a deep connection with the Peaveys who have 4 children from their marriage.

Desiring to help, the Peaveys arrived in Haiti in 1979 with the idea of founding an orphanage, remembers Doris. After visiting several cities across the country, they stopped in Marchand and built the first building. Over the years, The Peavey Foundation increased its facilities, thanks to the efforts of the inexhaustible couple. "Dad" wears all the hats of gardener, bricklayer, builder, etc.

Receiving no substantial assistance, the Foundation works with a restrictive budget barely able to cover all expenses. "Mom" (attributes to) divine providence saying that God always takes care of her children wherever they go. "We benefit from the help of churches and occasionally from some individuals," states Ruben Alfonse.

The Foundation does not stop there. "Dad" told HPN that once the construction of the school infrastructure (is completed), he wants to create a woodworking shop to give work to people of Dessalines and to manufacture cabinets at discounted prices.