"You are the instruments that saved not only 500 young Haitians, but also some of their relatives and the personnel of this Institution. Sometimes you may think that you have done little, but what you call little is huge... You allow people to sleep, to walk, to laugh because you send them their daily bread and the bread of knowledge. I thank you on their behalf and on my own."

Father Joseph Simon, Director Timkatec schools

The Friends of Timkatec

Father Simon with a picture of St Jean Bosco in the background. Both men have dedicated their lives to helping poor children.

"It is difficult to refuse a child who comes at night, in the rain, asking for a small place to sleep. In those instances, children sleep on the floor, sometimes with only a blanket, sometimes without even that." Father Joseph Simon of Timkatec

I learned of Timkatec through an Orlando Sentinel article in March 2004 stressing the Haiti problems and chaos following the departure of former President Aristide. The anguished comments made by Father Joseph Simon regarding the problems he was facing, and his unique mission to feed, clothe, house and educate and train the abandoned street children of Haiti, deeply touched me and I had to learn more.

After some difficulties I contacted Father Joseph and shortly afterwards received photographs, blueprints, and other documents describing his charges, his mission at Timkatec 1, plan for the trade training concept for Timkatec 2, his bona fides and, most importantly, his vision for the future for his "children". That vision is to take children (some as young as 7 years old) who have been abandoned to the streets of Port au Prince, and not only to feed and shelter them, but ultimately to educate and train them in a trade so that they can become self-sustaining proud citizens. (See The Mission and History)

Patrick O'Shea at Timkatec 1. The 300 Square foot dormitory is shared by 18—just bunk beds and shelves for clothes. But safe and dry, with food daily, an education and firm direction by Father Simon and the staff.

It was clearly a worthy undertaking. One fraught with seemingly impossible problems... yet one that has been sustained by his faith and drive for over a decade. My daughter, Tara, designed this website which she maintains and we started our efforts which are covered inside in the various News items. In this effort, we have been most blessed with the unstinting support of special Friends Mike Spinelli, Ernie Reyes and Tom Moran and families and many others, CRS-Baltimore and the CRS Haiti staff, and my parish of All Souls, Sanford. That support has to date reached over $150,000, sent to Haiti through CRS with 100% delivered to Timkatec. We have a new 5000 Square foot school, Timkatec 2 with a team of dedicated teachers instruction in 5 trades over 200 students. PLUS, an expansion at Timkatec 1 from 34 dormitory places to almost 50. It is rare to see so much impact on so many lives for such a relatively small investment. And shortly, Timkatec 3 for girls will offer similar facilities.

In the following pages, you will find more information regarding Timkatec 1 2 and 3, and its founder Father Joseph Simon, a dedicated (supposedly retired) Salesian priest. I urge you to read more about him and his mission and I am sure that you, like our families will be as deeply touched by his dedication and faith and impressed by his focus on, and the success of, hisleadership of a dedicated staff. You will find on the donation page how you also can assistthat effort with a tax deductible donation for this worthy cause. 100% of our donations to be forwarded to Father Simon through our partner, Catholic Relief Service, who also cover our Timkatec effort through their website. Please feel free to contact me directly at any time for further information.

Thank you,

Patrick J. O'Shea
Founder
Friends of Timkatec in America
Ph: 407 323 3100
Cell: 407 221 5392
Email: pjposhea@aol.com

"It is fundamental to show children that one loves them and really wants to help them. The rest goes automatically. It is also a work of justice towards these children whose physical, intellectual and moral development is jeopardized by a life without affection, without guidance, without constraint, without obligation. The street cannot educate in any way." Father Joseph Simon of Timkatec.