Christel DeHaan co-founded Resort Condominiums International (RCI), and under her leadership, RCI grew into a global enterprise with offices in 38 countries. Then she had a profoundly transformative experience that changed the course of her own life and the lives of thousands of children around the world.
“After she sold RCI, I introduced her to a nun in charge of orphans and abandoned kids in Mexico City,” remembers Gabriel Oropeza, former President of RCI Latin America and now Board Chair at Christel House Mexico. “I asked Christel for a cheque to help these kids. Christel came back not only with a cheque but with a new mission in her life.”
Christel DeHaan quickly realised that for children to break the cycle of poverty, they needed access to a strong education, along with all the necessary enablers of education—nutrition, healthcare, character education, family assistance, career support, and more. From that moment on, she devoted her time, energy, and financial resources to this cause.
In 1998, she founded Christel House International and developed a holistic school model designed to move children and their families out of poverty.
Explore the remarkable 25-year journey of Christel House from the launch of the first school in Mexico in 1998 to our global impact today.
A world where poverty doesn’t limit potential.
Our Mission: Christel House prepares graduates to achieve upward economic mobility, demonstrate good citizenship, and become empowered to identify and realise their goals, dreams, and human potential.
Our model is focused on the holistic development of the child; it’s deliberately crafted so that thousands of children globally will realise this mission. Graduates of Christel House are proactive, empowered individuals who surmount adversity, make positive contributions to society, and pave the way for future generations.
The Christel House Jamaica team is dedicated to transforming the lives of children around the world through education
Kingston
Custos Rotulorum of Kingston
Chairman & Managing Director, Kingston Bookshop
Board Chair, Christel House Jamaica
Mandeville
Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston
Kingston
Chief Executive Officer, SynCon Technologies Ltd.
Indiana, U.S.
President & CEO, Christel House International
May Pen
Custos Rotulorum of Clarendon
CEO Sha-Gore Aggregates, Ltd.
Clarendon
Regional Director, HEART NSTA Trust
Mandeville
Founder & National Ambassador. Christel House Jamaica
We adhere to rigorous business practices. Accountability and transparency are paramount, and financials are audited annually. 100% of donations support programs and services for our students. All administration, finance, marketing and fundraising costs are funded by our Founder’s bequest to the organization.
We are registered as a Charitable Organization pursuant to Sections 16 and 24(4) of the Charities Act 2013, and eligible to obtain tax relief under Provisional Collection of Tax (Minimum Business Tax) Order 2014 and the following enactments specified in the Third Schedule of the Charities Act:
• The Customs Act
• The General Consumption Tax Act
• The Income Tax Act
• The Property Tax Act
• The Stamp Duty Act
• The Transfer Tax Act
Charitable Organization Registration Number: CAIN100-1004C
We are registered as a Charitable Organization pursuant to Sections 16 and 24(4) of the Charities Act 2013, and eligible to obtain tax relief under Provisional Collection of Tax (Minimum Business Tax) Order 2014 and the following enactments specified in the Third Schedule of the Charities Act:
• The Customs Act
• The General Consumption Tax Act
• The Income Tax Act
• The Property Tax Act
• The Stamp Duty Act
• The Transfer Tax Act
Charitable Organization Registration Number: CAIN100-1004C