Divided Past...Shared Future?

Although Haiti and the Dominican Republic both share the same island—Hispaniola—the two countries have surprisingly different, but closely interwoven, histories. The island first became known to the western world when Columbus landed there in 1492, though it had been home to the native Arawak and Carib peoples for many years before that.

International Child Care's story began in 1961 when an American couple, Jim and Virginia Snavley, visited Haiti. Overwhelmed by what they saw, particularly the plight of children with active tuberculosis, a vision was born. They returned to Haiti and in 1965 the Child Care Foundation (CCF) was formed. Two years later, in 1967, Grace Children's Hospital, dedicated to the care of tubercular children, was officially opened in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

International Child Care began more than thirty years ago, when James and Virginia Snavley made their first trip to Haiti. What began as a vacation became a mission of love, as they committed themselves to answer God's call to serve the least of all, the suffering and needy children whose eyes seemed to plea "Why me?"

"Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever."
Ephesians 3:20