Ministry History
Divine Family Orphanage was started May 5, 2012 by Chedner Vaillant. With the help of his family, he purchased the house where the children currently live. The home was started with 8 children. The numbers have fluctuated since opening but since April 2014 it has consistently had the same children. In the beginning, there was one nanny and Chedner. Over the years there have been a number of children come and go. Each child has their own special story of who they are and where they came from. At this time, the hope for the orphanage is to provide for all 21 children with the best care possible. As improvements are made to the home and the children are being educated, the quality of their lives are improving. The goal is to turn a house into a home and create a family raised in a Christ-centered environment where the children feel loved and cared for.
Chedner is a 31 year old Haitian man who has a passion for his country. He is close to his family and dedicated to improving his community. Since a young age he has had the desire to help children in need. This led him to study and start a degree in education and receive a certificate in physical therapy.
After the earthquake in 2010, Chedner struggled with seeing children in the streets with no where to go. In 2012 at the age of 25, he was led to open Divine Family Orphanage. As a means to fund the orphanage he also began a construction supply business the same year. The business is able to supply for minimal needs, but it has a ways to go as it is still in the start- up phase. Chedner has 21 wonderful children and is working to provide for them and give them the best life possible.
Before coming to Haiti, Lauren studied International Studies and Spanish at Ohio State University. She spent time traveling and volunteering in various countries. She has always had a heart for working with people in need. Lauren first visited Haiti in March of 2013 on a mission trip with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio. After searching for places to serve in Latin America, she was given the opportunity to volunteer in an a special needs orphanage near Divine Family Orphanage. In October 2013, she committed to 6 months and served 2 years before marrying Chedner and started working with Divine Family.
Lauren and Chedner met January 2014 and started dating shortly after. Lauren first met Nadia the same week she met Chedner. Nadia came in her full time care April 2014. The 3 quickly became a family, although they hope to make it official after being married for 5 years. They welcomed Xander to the family August 2015.