Matt with Blind Orphan

It was a chance meeting in a third world country. Two American men, so inspired by the movie The Abolitionists, that they went to Haiti to help at an orphanage. They ended up face to face with Operation Underground Railroad Founder and CEO Tim Ballard.

“He saw us in our O.U.R. T-­shirts in Haiti and thought we were part of his group,” said Matt Wells. “When he came up, also wearing an O.U.R. T-­shirt, he said, ‘Oh, I don’t even know you!’” But, that clandestine meeting turned into an opportunity for the Wells as Ballard helped them connect to people who could open doors for them and the orphanage.

Matt and his father Claude Wells are doers. Matt says he’s always considered himself an entrepreneur, working in construction and real estate while earning a degree in Global Management. Claude is in sales. Together they make a pretty formidable team.

When they saw a private screening of the movie about Operation Underground Railroad and the many rescues they have done to save children from sex slavery, they knew they had to act.

Guesno Marty was at the screening as well. His son is a kidnapped victim and O.U.R. is working to find and rescue him. The Wells connected with Marty and offered to help with the private orphanage he runs in Haiti. From there everything just seemed to fall into place. “I call it effortless,” said Matt.

The orphanage is set in a suburb of Point-­‐au-­‐Prince about ten miles outside the city of 10 million. As Matt and Claude drove through the city to the orphanage, they were alarmed at the amount of poverty they saw at every turn. Buildings falling apart, ragged children, and people everywhere.

Fortunately, they found the orphanage quite different. “It was like an oasis from the dilapidated buildings in the area, “ said Matt. “The kids are clean and happy and very polite. I was very impressed.”

Running an orphanage isn’t easy, however, and Guesno is always in need of supplies for the children. The Wells not only saw that need, but jumped in to do what they could to help. Their goal is to help the orphanage become sustainable by running operations that will bring in enough income to keep the orphanage funded.

“We don’t want to give them fish. We want to teach them how to fish,” said Matt. The orphanage already has 150 chickens, which produce 150-­‐170 eggs a day. Rather than be eaten, the eggs are sold to help pay for expenses. With the Wells’ help that number will soon be 1000 chickens. Guesno estimates that will produce a profit of $3000 a month while still providing a few eggs for the children’s consumption.

Long-­‐term plans are being made to build a brick plant where they can make bricks to sell and bring in an income to sustain the orphanage. The Wells went to Mexico to look into machinery for bricks and paper and are creating a business plan for the orphanage.

“We’re learning as we go, said Matt. “There’s so much that goes into it. We’ve pledged a certain amount, but it’s not enough money.” As a result the Wells are creating a non-­‐profit organization called Thrive with a goal to help with sustainability.

For the orphanage’s immediate needs the Wells filled a 40-­‐foot shipping container with diapers, bedding sheets, clothing, baby formula and toys, and sent it to Haiti two months ago. It took two weeks to fill and includes “My Little Pony” toys as well as 3,000 hot wheels in their original packages, donated by a family whose late father collected them for years.

“Eighty percent of the children in the orphanage are five years old and younger,” said Matt. That fact, alone, makes toys a necessity. If you would like help please contact us at info@ourrescue.org.

Written by: Cheryl L. Karr