• CHRISTEL’S STORY
  • OUR GLOBAL JOURNEY
  • VISION
  • MISSION
  • MEET OUR TEAM
  • ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Christel House Model

    THE HOUSE
    THAT CHRISTEL
    BUILT

    Our Founder, Christel DeHaan, built a remarkable
    business empire. Then she built something even more
    incredible.

    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.

    “The obstacles facing Christel House students are daunting. But every day our students come to school, learn, and set their sights on a better tomorrow. They are breaking through the barriers of poverty to build a new and better life for themselves and a future for their families.
    They are our heroes, and role models for others to follow.”

    CHRISTEL DEHAAN (1942-2020)

    OUR GLOBAL
    JOURNEY

    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.

    OUR VISION

    A world where poverty doesn’t limit potential.

    FULFILLING OUR MISSION

    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.

    MEET
    OUR TEAM

    The Christel House Jamaica team is dedicated to transforming the lives of children around the world through education

    Hon. Steadman Fuller, CD, JP

    Kingston

    Custos Rotulorum of Kingston
    Chairman & Managing Director, Kingston Bookshop
    Board Chair, Christel House Jamaica

    Most Rev. & Hon. Charles H. DuFour, DD, OJ, CD

    Mandeville

    Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston

    Edward Gabbidon

    Kingston

    Chief Executive Officer, SynCon Technologies Ltd.

    David Harris

    Indiana, U.S.

    President & CEO, Christel House International

    Hon. William Shagoury, CD, JP

    May Pen

    Custos Rotulorum of Clarendon
    CEO Sha-Gore Aggregates, Ltd.

    Dr. Sasha Shim-Hue

    Clarendon

    Regional Director, HEART NSTA Trust

    Hon. Sally Porteous, CD, JP

    Mandeville

    Founder & National Ambassador. Christel House Jamaica

    OUR
    ACCOUNTABILITY

    Christel House Jamaica is fully committed to accountability
    and transparency.

    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

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