In the summer of 2009, Clayton resident Laila Shad flew to Haiti to volunteer at God’s Littlest Angels orphanage. After returning to the United States, Shad kept in touch via blogs, Facebook and fellow volunteers. These contacts proved vital in confirming the fate of God’s Littlest Angels when the 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti on Jan. 12.

The orphanage survived the catastrophe intact and with no casualties, unlike so much of Haiti. However, the orphanage is being flooded with new children, and the non-profit is desperately in need of funds.

Shad has made it her mission to raise awareness for the lucky survivors who have already experienced so much in their short lives. “They need help now, so that they do not have to continue to suffer or even die because nobody could care for them,” she said.

The orphanage has started a 1,000 by 1,000 campaign for 1,000 people to raise $1,000 for earthquake relief. Funds will primarily go toward keeping the orphanage open during this influx, but all that can be spared will be given to less fortunate Haitian survivors and to staff members who lost relatives in the quake to aid with funeral costs.

During her month in Haiti, the then Chapman University sophomore cared for eight of the 200 children – giving them one-on-one attention. Shad accompanied each child to play with the orphanage’s toy collection while working on developmental and social skills such as walking and talking.

She witnessed one of the baby boys walk for the first time and was the recipient of a young girl’s first words: “I love you.” “It just made my heart melt,” Shad said, thinking back on fond memories.

She remains amazed at how strongly attached she and her kids became in such a short amount of time, as illustrated by the tears they shed when her time at the orphanage ended.

Overall, Shad had a wonderful experience that changed her outlook on life. Seeing first-hand how happy the Haitian people are, despite how little they have, made her appreciate how lucky she is, how lucky we all are, but also that we have something to learn from them. Her time in Haiti made her realize that the simple things are most important.

As the orphanage deals with aftershocks and the influx of new children, some good has come from this epic tragedy. About 100 children have been able to fly out of Haiti six months early to be with adoptive parents in the United States and the Netherlands.

Shad is glad that Haiti, a country that has been in need for so long, is finally getting the attention and help it so desperately needs – though it took extreme tragedy to bring it about.

“But this can’t be short-term,” she said. “They need help in the long term. We can’t forget them again; we can’t forget Haiti.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit glahaiti.org.

Student reporter, Taylor Tovrea is a sophomore at CVHS.