Gena Heraty, the director of the orphanage, has been working in Haiti since 1993 and has previously received accolades for her humanitarian efforts. Despite the growing threat of violence, she has voiced a commitment to the children at the shelter, stating, "The children are why I'm still here. We’re in this together." The ongoing gang violence in Haiti has left much of the populace in peril, with the situation in Kenscoff declining significantly in recent years.

Currently, about 85% of Port-au-Prince is reportedly under the control of armed gangs, leading to severe humanitarian consequences. The UN has indicated a troubling rise in both kidnappings and violence, emphasizing the plight of over one million internally displaced persons in Haiti due to the ongoing chaos. Advocate groups and authorities continue to call for immediate international assistance to restore safety and stability to the region, as gang activities wreak havoc on daily life in Haiti.