Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Haiti journal: Deaconess, 82, cares for orphans

Holly lives next door to the orphanage.

Holly lives next door to the orphanage.

Sister Paulette Holly was not expecting visitors, but that didn't stop her from conducting a top-to-bottom tour of the Methodist Children's Home, a place she clearly loves.

At 82 years old, she ventures where others fear to tread.

Holly is a deaconess for the Methodist Church in Haiti. She has lived next door to the orphanage for more years than she will say. Before she was converted from a Catholic, "and a very good one," to Methodist, she was a nurse and midwife.

As a Methodist, she felt called to "preach and heal."

The orphanage, like most buildings in Port-au-Prince, was shaken by the Jan. 12 earthquake. The children, ranging in age from 6 to18, are living in tents across the street. Holly and several others are sleeping in the space between the children's home and her residence. She says none of the42 children were injured or died.

Boys pass the time outdoors.

Boys pass the time outdoors.

"Thank God," she says.

Walking with the help of a cane, Holly took six U.S. visitors from the bottom floor to the roof of the damaged building.

"The rail right here is not secure so I use this pipe to hang onto," she says. She mentions a friend of hers who fell down the stairs. "I don't know why that happened," she mutters under her breath.

She takes us up two flights of winding stairs and shows us every room. A huge pot of beans is cooking on the stove. Children are playing in the back courtyard. The tour ends with one more staircase up to the roof.

Back outside, she walks under low hanging branches and rocky, uneven ground to a small house in the back that is destroyed.

Numbered cups line a shelf at the orphanage.

Numbered cups line a shelf at the orphanage.

Holly says she built the house for the relatives of a woman helper who lives in her house. "They would come and stay one, two, three weeks. &ellipsis; I had to get them out of my house."

Inside Holly's home, cracks crisscross the ceilings and walls. A large piece of furniture with a mirror is lying on the floor. It is not broken, but it is heavy. She says she has been waiting for someone to come over and put it back up.

"I think that will get done now," she says, smiling.

And it did.

*Gilbert is a news writer for United Methodist News Service on assignment in Haiti.

News media contact: David Briggs or Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].

Slideshow

Photos from team in Haiti

Related Articles

Resources

Advance projects in Haiti

Fighting starvation, Haitians share portions

The Haiti crisis: health risks


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Disaster Relief
Ukrainian children perform during a festival in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. United Methodists in Romania and other neighboring countries continue to provide support for Ukrainian refugees more than three years after Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. Photo by Aaron Roberts, ALR Photography.

Helping Ukrainian refugees make new homes

Art and music programs for children, language courses and waterproof Bibles are some of the assistance being provided to Ukrainians by nearby nations, many times facilitated by United Methodist churches and individuals.
Theology and Education
Graduates celebrate during Africa University’s 31st commencement ceremony June 7 at the United Methodist institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. With 622 graduates from 20 African countries joining its alumni across the continent, the university remains true to its mantra: “Leaders are made here.” Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

622 graduate at Africa University

The pan-African institution’s class of 2025 featured graduates from 20 African countries, with 59% women.
Disaster Relief
Community members affected by a violent attack in Karim Lamido, Nigeria, gather to receive aid from The United Methodist Church on June 4. The Nigeria Episcopal Area provided food, bedding and other supplies to survivors of the attack on local farmers, which left more than 40 dead, including 24 United Methodists. Photo by the Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta, UM News.

24 United Methodists killed in Nigeria attack

United Methodist Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel said fellow church members were among more than 40 killed by attackers suspected to be Fulani herders.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved