Haitian Village Built By Local 11-Year-Old
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – An 11-year-old girl who has become famous for her charitable giving headed to Haiti to see the fruits of her labor.
Wednesday, Rachel Wheeler traveled to the island nation with Food for the Poor to cut the ribbon on her new village. Wheeler's efforts come at a good time. Poverty in Haiti is worse than people think as many people have nothing, not even a safe place to live and that is what has attracted the attention of a little girl.
"I want to see my village really bad," said Wheeler to CBS4's Jorge Estevez as they rode the bus into the village. "I just can't believe that an 11-year-old girl can build a village."
There was an eruption of joy, from the dozens of people who greeted her as she entered the village. The crowd lifted Wheeler up onto their shoulders and paraded her through the small fishing village.
Wheeler had 27 concrete homes built in a fishing community, each with two rooms: an area for beds and a living space. The Wilkins family is among the dozens of families who have already moved in.
"I am really happy that Rachel and her mom made this happen to me because that is a great improvement in my life," said Ciceron Wilkins.
And their gratitude was everywhere from dances, to original paintings, and serenades of appreciation, the adoration for a girl with a simple mission she shared with CBS4's Jorge Estevez two years ago.
"That is a lot of work to raise all that money, said Estevez to a then 9 year old Rachel Wheeler.
"I know," responded Wheeler.
"Do you think you can do it," asked Estevez.
"Yes," answered Wheeler.
Since 2009, Wheeler has raised $175,000. She partnered with South Florida's Food for the Poor, which is an organization that combats poverty one family at a time.
"Little children will lead us and teach us how to do things. It is amazing. She is a tremendous girl," said Robin Mahfood, President and C.E.O for Food for the Poor.
"I feel happy really happy. I feel that I made a difference in someone's life," said Wheeler who wants to build a school in Haiti next.
If you would like to donate just go to her very own page on Food for the poor's website by clicking here.
