Dr. Michelle R. Ciminelli

Assistant Professor of Education

I have traveled to Les Cayes, Haiti, with a mission team from my local church each January for the past two years. I will be returning again in January 2014. During the visit, we spend the week working on various building projects at the orphanage, hosting Bible schools in the local community, providing medical and educational support, and playing with and sharing God’s love with the children at the orphanage.

The orphanage was first opened in 2001 and is named after its founder, Pastor Israel Izidor. It is located on the southwest coast of Haiti, in a city called Les Cayes. The Children of Israel Orphanage began with just five children. After Pastor Israel’s death, his wife, Leonie Izidor, kept his dream going. Leonie, along with the support of her family, now houses 27 orphans in the Children of Israel Orphanage. Many children have been adopted over the years, thanks to the orphanage. The Izidors continue every day to live out Pastor Israel’s dream.