Overture International Partners with Haitian Child Welfare Agency to Close Orphanages and Strengthen Child Protection in Haiti

LES CAYES, Haiti, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a transformational step toward child protection and family reunification in Haiti, Overture International (Overture), in collaboration with IBESR (Haiti's Child Welfare Agency), has successfully closed its fifth orphanage in southern Haiti, reuniting hundreds of children with their family or placing them with qualified foster families. This effort marks a significant victory in disrupting Haiti's harmful orphanage system, prioritizing family-based care over institutionalization.

"For too long, orphanages in Haiti have exploited children under the guise of care," said Lisa Hyatt, Executive Director of Overture International. "The reality is that often 90 percent of the children in these institutions are not actual orphans—they have families who love them but lack the resources to provide for them and are led to believe the orphanage is the best choice. Through our partnership with IBESR, we are helping reunite children with their families or placing them in safe, vetted foster families where they are protected and loved."

IBESR leads the efforts to close orphanages, but their success depends on partners like Overture, who are willing to provide the resources and logistical support needed to carry out this work. Overture has stepped up, helping to assess children's needs, reunify them with families, and ensure proper follow-up care and education, training and support to prevent future separation. 

"With the right backing, IBESR can and will take the necessary actions to protect children," said the Coordinator of IBESR in the South Department. "Too often, foreign-run orphanages operate as though they are above Haitian child protection laws, justifying their lack of oversight by claiming corruption in our system. But true child protection requires transparency, accountability, and adherence to the legal process. Overture International understands this and has been an essential partner in this fight."

Sadly, discoveries of abuse, neglect, and exploitation are often found in many Haitian orphanages. When allegations of abuse arise, foreign-run orphanages often handle matters internally rather than reporting them to IBESR for a formal investigation. This lack of accountability puts thousands of vulnerable children at even greater risk and undermines Haiti's ability to enforce child protection laws.

Overture's work alongside IBESR proves that change is possible when organizations commit to ethical, family-centered solutions. By shifting resources away from institutional care and toward family-strengthening programs and building a strong foster care system, Overture is actively working to break the cycle of child separation, exploitation, and dependency on foreign aid. These latest orphanage closures are a significant step toward a future where Haitian children grow up in safe, loving families—not institutions.

About Overture International

Overture Outreach International (dba Overture International) is a US 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to sustainable community development in Haiti. Overture works to create long-term solutions that keep children out of orphanages and strengthen families.

To learn more about Overture's transforming the orphanage system in Haiti, visit their Orphanages Are Not the Answer initiative landing page - www.orphanagesarenottheanswer.org 

Media Contact:
Lisa Hyatt
Executive Director
[email protected]
336-870-5723

SOURCE Overture International