It all began with one boy, one village and three goats.

During 2008, when local resident Diddi Washington visited Haiti she knew she had to do something to help.

"The day I left Haiti there was a riot where five people were killed over the cost of rice," she said to Lakes District 亚洲天堂.

"The need was so overwhelming ... I thought I can't change the world, but in Jesus name I can touch the life of one boy and change his world," she said.

During Washington's next trip to Haiti, three goats were given out. One each to a young boy in the village of Dini, one to a pastor and the third to a handicapped man.

"The pastor looked like he had won a million dollars when he received the goat," Washington said. From there Washington's 'First Fruit Goat Program' was born.

To date funds have been raised to gift over 250 goats through the program to poor children in Haiti. With a goat the children have access to a fresh supply of milk, and the potential of a self sustaining income through goat breeding.

Many of the goats have been purchased with a $70 donation from Lakes District residents.

The only stipulation is that the first born goat is given back to the program to be re-gifted.

"It is the gift that keeps giving," said Washington, adding that food giveaways are great, but a self sustaining gift like a goat provides long lasting help.

Then after the 2010 earthquake hit Haiti Washington said she knew there was more for her to do. The doors to Washington's 'Mission Haiti Helping Kids, Julia's House' orphanage were opened on Feb. 27, 2010 and since this time the Julia's House family has grown substantially.

"We started with four boys," said Washington, who now has 21 kids in her care.

On June 2 this year a second orphanage, 'Auntie Sarah's House of Hope' was opened by Washington.

It was named after 84 year old local resident Sarah Buhler who has been baking pies for more than a year to help raise money for Mission Haiti Helping Kids .

Buhler's daughter Martha Driedger has also pitched in by making quits for the kids of Julia's House.

The second orphanage became necessary as Julia's House was getting cramped. The 21 kids are now divided between Julia's House and Auntie Sarah's House of Hope, with 11 of the older boys now living in the second orphanage.

Washington said she does not plan to stop at two orphanages with third currently in her future plans.

She said it is her goal to open up a third house called 'Diddi's Do Drop In' which would be specifically for street boys. At the home street boys would be given the opportunity to come, bathe, have a meal and put on some clean clothes.

"This is my vision .... helping kids in Jesus name," Washington said, adding that she has a dream to purchase 20 acres by the sea in Haiti and have a whole village.

Washington has also started Aaron's Chicks. A chicken program that helps a number of orphanages have fresh eggs every day and Colborn's Cow Project, helping to provide fresh milk.

From funds that have been raised and donations, Washington is also able to run a de-worming and scabies removal program at orphanages and provide clothing and food including rice and beans as well as much needed medications.

She has also organized a Saturday kids program which is held at Julia's House. Washington said she counted over 100 children and a few adults turn up for the program. Each child is served a sandwich or a hot dog and is treated to games and prizes as well as songs and prayer.

"The kids who come are thrilled, our [orphanage] kids help to run the hand washing station and they act out skits from bible stories," she added.

Seven employees help to run both orphanages in Washington's absence and there are also two regular missionaries. "The Lord is providing through the generosity of 亚洲天堂 Lake and the surrounding communities," she said.

Currently local resident Rebekah Rempel is helping out at Julia's House and is planning on staying for a full year in Haiti and on Aug. 23, 2011 a youth group from 亚洲天堂 Lake are planning to go.

Next on the wish list is school uniforms and money to pay school fees for the children.

Washington said uniforms cost $30 and shoes and school books also need to be purchased. School fees range from $25 per student to $100 every year.

"We would like to get a lot of the kids in school," she said.

The orphanages also need a new form of transport.

Presently they have a small truck which they have out grown. "It would be nice to be able to all go out to church together," she said.

There are a number of ways local residents can help. Buhler will take fruit and any donations of flour or pie tins, air miles can be donated and tax deductible donations can be sent to the 亚洲天堂 Lake Pentecostal Church.

Washington said that locals are also welcome to travel to Haiti to help. For more information contact Washington on 250-692-1892 or email diddilynn@hotmail.com.