Our Story
OKIPE began with a simple but powerful idea: that no child should be forgotten.
For many years, visitors travelling to La Gonâve, Haiti encountered a woman whose compassion was changing lives one child at a time — Mme Soliette, founder of The Jesus Home for Children of La Gonâve. What started as a small act of care for vulnerable children gradually became a growing family and a growing vision.
People from different countries, churches, and backgrounds would leave Haiti deeply moved by the children they met and the resilience they witnessed. Many wanted to help, but they also realised that lasting change required more than occasional donations. It required relationship, long-term commitment, and a shared vision for the future.
In 2011, those “Friends of the Orphanage” came together to form OKIPE — a cooperative effort dedicated to supporting the long-term security, care, and development of the children and community on La Gonâve. The name Okipe comes from the Haitian Creole word meaning “to look after.”
Together with Mme Soliette and local Haitian leadership, the vision expanded beyond simply meeting immediate needs. The dream became creating a safe and loving Children’s Village where children could thrive — not merely survive. A place where they could learn, play, grow in confidence, receive education and healthcare, and experience the stability of family-style homes with dedicated house mothers.
Today, OKIPE continues to stand alongside the children and people of La Gonâve through partnership, practical support, education, community development, and hope. We believe real transformation happens through relationships, dignity, and empowering local people to shape a better future for their own communities.
Haiti has faced immense challenges over the years — political instability, natural disasters, poverty, and uncertainty — yet the resilience, joy, and strength of the Haitian people continue to inspire us daily.
At the heart of OKIPE is this belief: every child matters, every life has value, and hope grows when people choose to walk together.
We are not simply building projects.
We are building futures.
Frequently asked questions
MEET THE TEAM
Amy Vail, Chair
My name is Amy Vail, and I have been serving on the Okipe board since 2018. I am currently the Chairperson for the board. I was first introduced to Mme. Soliette and the children in 2011. The director from the summer camp I work at in Canada took a group of staff to Haiti to run camp for Mme. Soliette's orphanage. That experience changed my life and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to continue to help Mme. Soliette fulfill her vision and dreams for the children in Haiti!
Natalie Mansvelt,
Communications
My name is Natalie Mansvelt. I am a counselling therapist in Nova Scotia, Canada.
I was first introduced to the Children’s Village in 2011 when I went to Haiti with a team to run a week long camp for the kids. We were able to go back in 2012/2013 to run a second week of camp and on that trip got to see the beginning stages of the village being built. I quickly fell in love with the children and Mme. Soliette’s vision for this ministry.
I recently joined the Okipe board and assist with Communications and Social Media. I’m so excited about this chance to be a part of what’s happening in the Children’s Village.
Beth Peterson, Staff Care and Development
To follow...
Aaron Dowds
School Build
My name is Aaron Dowds from Dunfermline, Scotland. I am married to Lynsey and have 5 wonderful children. I am a pharmacist in Perth, Scotland. I first visited Haiti in 2009 as a pharmacist with a Scottish charity called Lemon Aid. I visited Mme Soliette and her amazing children at her orphanage and was shocked and appalled and the living conditions. When the vision was birthed to build a new children’s village I quickly joined the Okipe team and became the ‘Fundraising Task Force Leader’ with Bill Code. Some years later I took on the chair role before passing the baton to Amy Vail. I am now focusing on supporting Mme Soliette to complete her school building. It has been an honour and joy to serve Mme Soliette and her children all these years and I have gained and received more than I have ever given.
Deanna Stanley,
In-Country Liaison
My name is Deanna Stanley, and I’ve been serving on the Okipe board since 2018. I was first introduced to Mme. Soliette in 2011. I was visiting Haiti with a team from church and we brought the kids from the orphanage to the Wesleyan Mission each day for VBS. These beautiful children captured my heart! Each year since then, I have visited the orphanage on our yearly trips to La Gonave. In 2018 my family moved to Haiti to manage the guesthouse for the Wesleyan Mission, and I then became the in-country liaison between Mme. Soliette and Okipe. It has been an honor and a pleasure to get to know her better and learn of her vision and heart for the children in her care.
Hi! My name is Mackenzie Raup and I have been a part of Okipe and the Children’s Village since 2008. I am currently serving on the board as assistant finance director and donor communications chair. I live in Pennsylvania and teach kindergarten through fifth grade English as a Second Language.
I first met Mme. Soliette and got involved with the Children’s Village on a trip to Haiti after my senior year of high school. Mme. Soliette and her heart and vision for the children has always inspired me. I am so thankful to be a part of her dream!
Mackenzie Raup, Communication
Lou Davidson,
Fundraising
My name is Lou Davidson (I'm on the left) and I am pleased to serve on the Okipe Board of Directors. I'm currently responsible for fundraising, no small task! We do all our fundraising in Scotland but most of it would work in other countries too. If anyone has any ideas or events they would like to discuss I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
3 Nurses from Scotland went to Haiti to immunise children in 2009. We met Mme. Soliette and the children she cared for. We came home determined to make a regular commitment to help her. As a result Haiti Help was formed and became a registered Scottish Charity in 2011. Our donors played a major part in building the Children's Village, we have visited the village 9 times since then and have maintained our original commitment to send regular funds.
Joy Irvine
My name is Joy Irvine. I am part of the OKIPE board and have been a friend of Mme Soliette and the Children’s Village since 2009. In the hard life that is often Haiti one of my greatest joys is listening to Mme Soliette express her vision and dreams for the children and young people who make up the Children’s Village. I leave those conversations humbled and grateful for the privilege to be a small part of fulfilling those dreams.
Matt Bromley,
Finance
To follow...