Haiti cholera hits home for Ottawa couple

Volunteers are again rallying to the aid of an orphanage in Haiti run by an Ottawa couple after the cholera epidemic sweeping the country killed one of the children under their care.

La Judée orphanage was founded in the northern Haitian city of Gonaives four years ago by Ismorin Noel, a Haitian-born pastor from Ottawa, and his wife Louise.

The orphanage's numbers swelled to over 30 after many children lost their parents after flooding caused by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. And it was dealt a serious blow in 2008 when hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike devastated the centre.

Louise Noel said now they are facing a new crisis as an outbreak of cholera in the wake of the January 2010 earthquake has spread to the orphanage.

Noel said an eight-year-old girl named Angeline died about two weeks ago and four other children became ill but are recovering.

She said hasn't given in to fear of the disease, as her top priority is to protect the remaining children. But she said the children are scared and have only begun to understand what happened.

"They always ask for her … they ask 'Where is Angeline? Where is Angeline? So we've explained to them how this happened," said Noel, speaking from Gonaives. "That's why I tell the others to take precautions, wash their hands … I don't want the same thing to happen to [them]."

Over 1,400 dead after outbreak

United Nations humanitarian officials say more than 1,400 people have died and as many as 20,000 are sick from cholera, an intestinal infection caused by bacteria that can be contracted from drinking contaminated water or food.

Rehydrating an individual who has contracted cholera is the most effective way to treat the illness, but clean water and sanitation facilities are scarce resources in Haiti, particularly in the aftermath of the earthquake.

John Porritt, a hydrogeologist who has travelled to the orphanage to provide expertise on wastewater and septic systems, said the water the orphanage draws from needs to be boiled to ensure it is safe.

"The aquifer they're drawing from is very close to the surface and very susceptible to being infiltrated by cholera bacteria and there's nothing they can really do about it," said Porritt.

He said the need to boil water across the country has also sent charcoal prices skyrocketing, and for now the orphanage is adding clorox to the water and filtering it through clothing to lessen the risk of infection.

Porritt is also raising money through La Fondation des Foyers Angèle, the charity established in 2004 to raise money for the orphanage. Donations can be made through the organization's website at foyersangele.org.