When ARUS Lyle B. Fales, Boyer Road Correctional Facility (OTF), learned about an orphanage in Haiti that was suddenly deluged with several infants all at once, he saw an opportunity to help.

"My wife and I felt that we should go and offer assistance," said ARUS Fales. "We scraped together enough money to send my wife, but we just couldn’t come up

ARUS Lyle Fales takes a break with some of the children at the orphanage.

with a way that I could go."

When ARUS Fales shared his tale with co-workers at OTF, staff embraced the cause. On October 26, C/O Lois Carroll (OTF), Lt. Brenda Smith, Carson City Correctional Facility (DRF) and ARUS Teresa Chandler (DRF) along with other staff members quickly organized a taco day to raise funds so that Fales could take the trip with his wife.

With the support of both OTF and DRF, staff raised nearly the entire cost of Fales’ airline ticket, which made it possible for him to go.

During his eight days in Haiti, ARUS Fales helped build cabinets and baby beds. He also assisted with many repairs on the compound. Hannah Fales worked with the babies, which was a 24 hour a day proposition.

The facility was located on a mountain in a remote part of the jungle.

"The last eight miles getting to the compound were absolutely the roughest I’ve ever traveled in my life, and there is just no getting used to sharing sleeping space with tarantulas, rats, tree roaches and lizards," said Fales. "It was hot, dusty, and difficult, yet one of the most gratifying times of my life. I fell in love with the children and the country."

"The generosity of our staff enabled ARUS Fales to help out in a difficult situation," said Warden Kurt Jones. "They are always ready to step up to the plate when someone is in need."

Michigan Department of Corrections FYI 120805