HaitiChildren, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of Haiti's most vulnerable children, is confronting severe obstacles in its mission to protect and support our children in Jamaica. Founder Susie Krabacher has faced extreme resistance and unjust treatment while addressing reports of neglect and mistreatment of the children under Mustard Seed's care.

We are facing unprecedented challenges, but our commitment to the children of Haiti remains unwavering. Recently, our founder, Susie Krabacher, encountered significant obstacles while attempting to ensure the well-being of our children in Jamaica. Despite being denied entry and facing intimidation, Susie’s resolve to protect and support our children has only strengthened.

Susie recently traveled to Jamaica after a concerning Zoom call with Priests Garvin and Gregory, who demanded formal agreements for additional funding. Susie requested documentation for the $100,000 already sent, amidst reports from our caregivers that our children were losing weight due to inconsistent meals provided by Mustard Seed (MS). Please note that Susie made two attempts to enter the country. On her first attempt, she was denied entry without any explanation. Determined to see the conditions firsthand, Susie tried again the following day but was met with the same resistance and was forcefully detained overnight.

Upon her arrival in Jamaica, Susie was subjected to extreme and unjust treatment by immigration and police officials. Despite her attempts to clarify her purpose, including visiting her son who had just undergone brain surgery, she was accused of dishonesty, physically detained, and held overnight under false pretenses in a filthy cell. She was handcuffed, verbally and physically abused, and denied access to her attorney, counselor, and husband. This treatment was not consistent with her rights and is deeply concerning.

The situation has escalated dramatically. Caregivers have been confined to their rooms without clear reasons, causing them to feel terrified and devastated. MS officials claimed that the caregivers had broken unspecified rules, despite numerous attempts to obtain these rules to comply. On June 25, a coach arrived on Mustard Seed grounds with police, who ordered the caregivers onto the bus to an undisclosed location in Portland, Jamaica. International human rights lawyer Malene Alene contacted them, but they refused to disclose the location, only stating it is a facility in Portland.

We are deeply concerned as the children are being split up, facing emotional trauma due to being apart from the only family they’ve ever known, in an environment where they’re facing severe neglect. The removal of the caregivers was executed in a manner that violates constitutional laws. During the chaotic removal, four disabled children—Rachelle, Rubens, Stanley, and Naese—were temporarily lost but have now been found and have made contact to say they arrived at a port in Haiti. However, at first, they were not allowed to dock, facing a long delay, and for hours were told they had to wait for immigration officers. We are still awaiting more information as the story develops. This incident has become an international concern.

"A bus full of police has turned up, telling our caregivers to get in the vehicle and that they’re headed to Portland. They may be deporting them. There’s a war going on in Haiti and they’re frightened about where they are being taken to. They’ve been confined to their rooms since Saturday prior to this. Imagine being one of the children and thinking you’re finally getting out of the life-threatening war zone of Haiti and then you’re being treated this way, separated from your family, and potentially being deported back to Haiti. It is devastating. Everyone’s scared. We are unsure of where they took our caregivers. We need our voices heard," said Sheryl Ritchie, HaitiChildren’s Jamaican Administrative Director, on June 25.

This harsh reception appears to be an effort to prevent Susie from seeing the deplorable conditions our children are facing, as evidenced by photos and reports of malnutrition and neglect. Despite these efforts to block her, Susie’s commitment to our children remains unshakeable.

Additionally, major Jamaican publications have falsely painted Haitians in a negative light, which has stigmatized our Haitian caregivers and, subsequently, Haitian nationals. These headlines risk creating a hostile situation for our caregivers and the Haitian community at large. We understand that relations between Haiti and Jamaica are strained, but we are committed to working together in the best interest of the children.

We must find better ways to address these issues, as the stigmatization of Haitian nationals only exacerbates tensions. Our primary goal is to ensure the health and safety of our children while fostering a collaborative environment.

We are working closely with our legal team, including Attorney Krishna James, who witnessed these events firsthand, and Human Rights advocates to address these injustices. Our primary goal is to ensure the health and safety of our children.

As it is written in Exodus 22:22-23, 'Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.' We believe in the moral imperative to protect the most vulnerable among us, and we are unwavering in our mission to save these children's lives despite the horrific obstacles we face.

We have extensive documentation and photo and video footage to verify our claims for anyone interested. Transparency is at the heart of our efforts, and we are prepared to share this evidence to substantiate our experiences and concerns.

We have received overwhelming support from our USA audience and beyond, who trust and stand by us.

Quotes from Supporters:

"HaitiChildren's dedication and transparency are evident in their tireless efforts to care for the most vulnerable. The false narratives being pushed by some Jamaican publications are a blatant attempt to undermine their vital work. We stand firmly with HaitiChildren in their mission to protect and support these children." – Emily Watson, Human Rights Advocate

"It is clear to anyone who examines the facts that the accusations against HaitiChildren are unfounded. The courage and resilience shown by Susie Krabacher and her team in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring. The truth will prevail, and we will continue to support HaitiChildren every step of the way." – David Martinez, Long-time Haitian Rights Supporter

We ask you to join us in this fight by continuing to support and believe in our mission. Together, we can protect our children and ensure their stories are heard.