A heart for the children of Haiti: Chamberlain plans garage sale, bake sale for Saturday
(Talk of the Town photos provided) Whitley County resident Sarah Chamberlain has been moved by the faces of the children in Okipe Orphanage Village in Haiti, above and below, and hopes to raise funds for their care with a bake sale and garage sale this Saturday at Big Lake Church of God in northern Whitley County.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Local resident Sarah Chamberlain has a big heart for the orphans of Haiti.
Although she's far, far away from them, she's working hard this weekend to raise funds to help them. Chamberlain is hosting an indoor garage sale and bake sale at Big Lake Church of God's gymnasium this Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will include a variety of items, including clothes, books, golf clubs, futon and more. Additionally, while you're there, enjoy gourmet caramel apples, cookies, homemade soup, and a full coffee bar with chai, hot chocolate and cider donated by Brew Ha coffee house. 
All proceeds from the sale will benefit Okipe Orphanage Village in Haiti.
"The co-op is called Okipe (Oh-KEE-pAy), which is a Haitian Creole word meaning, "to look after," Chamberlain said.
"Over the years, many people have come through La Gonave to offer assistance to the locals in many forms of aid and community development. Often times, they would have the opportunity to hear of the orphanage and meet Mme Soliette and the children," she said.
Mme Soliette saw the need for orphan care in Haiti and began an orphanage in 2007. Since then, it has grown and expanded considerably, now overseeing the care of 60 children.
"She has become a devoted advocate for these children and carries an unimaginable daily burden to provide food, shelter, health care and clothing for the little ones no one else would care for. Although there are 60 plus children at present, there are many more in need," said Chamberlain.
"This motivates us to develop the capacity of the orphanage as Mme Soliette turns needy children away regularly," she said. "In addition to the basics of food, water, clothing and shelter, Mme Soliette dreams of providing a solid education, proper medical care and vocational training with a vision to see these children raised as future leaders a productive citizens of Haiti."
Over the years, few have left the orphanage unmoved, she said, and like Chamberlain most have returned to their homes wanting to help in any way possible. In various ways, the friends of the orphanage have helped with cash donation and food. "Others have sent clothing and educational supplies," Chamberlain stated. "All have experienced the limitations of their gifts and the helplessness that inevitably comes from living so far away from the needs of the orphanage."
Chamberlain is hopeful that her fundraiser Saturday might go a long way in providing assistance for these children of Haiti.