For 10 years now, and most recently this month, Gloria Josephs has been making the trek to Haiti to visit the children of the “Our Little Brothers and Sisters” orphanage.

During her trips, the Youth Ministry Director at St. Luke’s Parish Center in Westborough has seen the Caribbean nation change under political and economic pressures. Through it all Haiti remains a dangerous country, she said, as well as impoverished, cut off from the tourism trade that benefits nearby islands like Jamaica and even its neighbor, the Dominican Republic.

In the remote mountain town of Kenscoff, however, Our Little Brothers and Sisters offers hope that the next generation of Haitians’ poorest may be able to find a better life in the country. Founded by Father Rick Frechette of the U.S. 22 years ago, the orphanage has received thousands of dollars as well as supplies during the last 10 from St. Luke’s. The partnership was established through Josephs, who went to college with Frechette.

Josephs has since traveled to the orphanage annually to help out — “I do as much as I possibly can,” she said. ‘1f they need something painted, I paint.” She also hopes to relay information back to Westborough to show donators how their contributions are helping. At minimum. St. Luke’s usually donates around $5,000 per year, Josephs said, “but typically we send several more thousand, because people are generous.,’

First and foremost the money helps the orphanage’s children eat. Even though they get simple rice and bean meals-”A treat is occasionally chicken,” Josephs said - the opportunity to receive regular nourishment is one they might not have had on the outside.

The approximately 500 orphans who populate Our Little Brothers and Sisters are ‘literally abandoned children,” Josephs said, “found on the road or left at the hospital.” Handicapped children are especially likely to be cast away, since parents rarely have the knowledge or resources to raise them.

Manned by volunteers and locals, the orphanage attempts to give the children another chance at life, providing them an education and life skills. The orphans wake up at 5 in the morning every day, Josephs said, to clean their cloths, sweep their living quarters and perform other tasks.

‘The kids are very respectful,” she said. “Sometimes you wish the kids here (in America) were that respectful. They know what the expectations are.”

Even in the relative comfort of the orphanage, life is not easy, however. Electricity and naming water are rationed as they are available. And the harsh realities of life outside can be delayed only so long. “A handful at best” of the orphans go on to study at universities, Josephs said; the rest attend trade schools or enter the workforce, but “there is little opportunity for jobs.”

What really needs to happen to improve Haitians’ fortunes, Josephs said, is a drastic change in Haiti’s leadership.

“They need a real government presence,” she said. “Basically there’s no infrastructure” in the country, she added, a reality that often has been exploited by recent regimes. U.S. involvement could aid this transformation, she believes — she hoped President Barack Obama would follow former President Bill Clinton’s lead and visit the country to see what could be done.

In the meantime, Josephs said St Luke’s would continue to provide support to Our Little Brothers and Sisters.

“St. Luke’s is very onboard with this,” she said.