What Makes Restore Haiti Different | Our Approach to Child Sponsorship

Child sponsorship organizations around the world are united by a common goal: helping children grow, learn, and thrive. Education, nutrition, and care are central to that shared mission.

Where organizations differ is not in what they aim to provide, but in how that support is delivered. Restore Haiti's approach is shaped by a small set of guiding principles that influence every aspect of our work.

Key differences at a glance

Local sourcing: Food and resources purchased in Haiti whenever possible
Haitian-led: 50 of 52 staff members are Haitian and based in Haiti
Long-term support: Walk with students from primary school through career preparation
Community focus: Depth over breadth—three communities with sustained presence
Tiered pricing: Sponsorship reflects actual education costs as students advance

We Source Locally Whenever Possible

Restore Haiti prioritizes sourcing food, services, and resources within Haiti whenever possible. This approach supports the local economy and helps ensure that sponsorship dollars circulate within the communities we serve.

Local sourcing is not always the easiest option, but we believe it is an important part of building long-term resilience rather than short-term solutions.

Led and Staffed by Haitians

Of our 52 staff members, 50 are Haitian and based in Haiti. This includes office staff, cooks, clinic staff, and members of our communications team.

We believe meaningful, sustainable impact is best achieved when programs are shaped and carried out by people who live in the communities being served.

We Walk With Students Until They Can Begin a Career

Restore Haiti's sponsorship model is designed to adapt as students grow. Support continues as students move from primary school through secondary education, and for many, into university or trade training.

Our goal is not simply to help students complete school, but to walk alongside them until they are equipped to begin a career and pursue long-term stability.

Shared Mission, Different Approaches

Many child sponsorship programs provide education, nutrition, and care. The table below highlights how Restore Haiti's approach reflects our guiding principles while remaining aligned with the broader goals of child sponsorship.

Shared Goal	Common Sponsorship Approach	Restore Haiti's Approach
Education support	Tuition assistance and school enrollment	Support adapts as students advance through school and training
Nutrition	Supplemental meal programs	Five hot meals per week, sourced locally whenever possible
Staffing	Combination of local and regional staff	50 of 52 staff members are Haitian and based in Haiti
Community investment	Programs across multiple regions	Long-term commitment to three specific communities
Sponsor connection	Periodic updates and communication	Photos, letters, milestones, and ongoing storytelling
Duration of support	Support through program completion	Walking with students until they can begin a career
Visiting opportunities	Varies by organization and country	Previously available; currently paused due to safety concerns

A Place Within a Global Effort

Restore Haiti is grateful to be part of a broader global effort to care for children and families. Different approaches serve different needs, and we recognize the important work being done by many organizations around the world.

Our hope is to remain faithful to the communities we serve, the students who trust us, and the sponsors who walk alongside them.

Sponsor a Student How Sponsorship Works

Frequently Asked Questions

Restore Haiti employs 52 staff members total, with 50 based in Haiti. This includes office staff, cooks, clinic staff, and communications team members.

Local sourcing means purchasing food, services, and resources within Haiti whenever possible. This supports the local economy and ensures sponsorship dollars circulate within the communities we serve.

Restore Haiti emphasizes Haitian leadership (50 of 52 staff are Haitian), local sourcing in Haiti, tiered pricing that reflects actual education costs, and long-term support from primary school through career preparation in three focused communities.

We prioritize depth over breadth. Focusing on three communities allows us to build long-term relationships, maintain consistent presence, and support students through their entire educational journey.

Visiting opportunities are currently paused due to safety concerns in Haiti. We hope to resume visits when conditions improve and it becomes safe to do so.

Rather than ending support when students finish high school, Restore Haiti continues supporting students through university or trade training until they are equipped to begin a career and pursue long-term stability.