Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. It has practically nothing. Although the U.N. and other international relief agencies are there, they are mostly stationed where the quake hit the hardest.

Orphans International Worldwide Haiti in Cyvadier (www.oiww.org), located just outside Jacmel in the Southern Province, survived the earthquake unscathed. An upcoming benefit in New York City will allow the project to grow.

Currently, the boys stay in the Peter Yarrow Room and the girls in the Doreen Nurse Room. Plans are for a community center to implement a family care model.

Jacques Africot is the Orphans International Worldwide director in Cyvadier. Jacques trained with Orphans International Worldwide founder Jim Luce in Indonesia following the Tsunami.

Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, was an early -- and remains a strong -- supporter. Peter sits on the Global Advisory Board of Orphans International Worldwide, along with H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco.

Orphans International Worldwide Haiti has received a pledge from the Monaco Red Cross to assist Orphans International Worldwide roll out its Family Care model in Cyvadier.

Orphans International Worldwide Haiti will have a major benefit at New York City's historic Webster Hall (www.websterhall.com) as part of the Quarterly Arts Soiree (www.theqas.com), Sunday, Feb. 28.

The 24-hour Art-a-thon will raise funds for Orphans International Worldwide Haitian relief projects in Jacmel and Leogane, offering entertainment from seven separate event spaces in the venue.

The relief benefit will end with an evening VIP Reception for the organization's 2010 "Global Citizenship Award for Leadership in Helping Humanity."

Entertainment personalities, diplomats from the U.N. and Washington, and representatives from international development agencies will be honored. Additional nominations are being accepted by e-mail at jim@oiww.org.

Awardees include African singer Emmanuel Jal, Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Ambassador and author Sichan Siv, Hon. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the U.N., and U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney.

Orphans International Worldwide was founded by Jim Luce in 1999 and is associated with the United Nations. There are over 100 Orphans International projects now around the world. Luce is considered the father of the Orphans International Movement.

Luce will arrive in Haiti March 5 to personally coordinate OIWW's relief efforts in Leogane and Jacmel. The video of Luce explaining his organization is on-line (www.vimeo.com/9007541).

Contributions for Orphans International Worldwide Haiti may be made on-line (www.charityhelp.org/oiwwhaiti/donation).

Orphans International Worldwide is specifically structured to be Interfaith, Interracial, International, Intergenerational, and Internet-Connected.

Orphans International is working in cooperation with CharityHelp International (www.charityhelp.org), Colline Academie (Haiti), and the World Harmony Fund (China).

Related Stories & Videos of / by Orphans International Founder Jim Luce

As if They Were His Own: Toastmaster Finds Courage to Transform World's Orphanages (Toastmasters Magazine)
First One Orphan, Then Many More (New York Times)
Child Kidnap Fears Spark Mob Chase (BBC)
Video Interview with Jim Luce on Founding Orphans International Worldwide (Vimeo)
Orphans International Movement Helps Kids Around World - Including Haiti (HuffPo)
Haitian School to Rise From Rubble Thru Orphans International Worldwide (HuffPo)
Young Haitian-American Leader Helps Haiti Reconstruct for its Children (HuffPo)
No Word Yet From Our Orphaned Children in Haiti (HuffPo)
Haitian NGO Leader on Orphan Care (Daily Kos)
Embracing Family Care For Orphans (HuffPo)

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