Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso returned from another trip to Haiti where he has been instrumental in establishing an orphanage built for children who became orphaned by the earthquake in 2010.

Over the past decade, D’Urso has volunteered his time with several groups in Nicaragua, Kenya and Haiti building homes, schools, medical clinics, and orphanages. He is now concentrating on improving the lives of Haitian children.

His mission for this trip was to start the planning process to build classrooms so the orphans will be able to attend school within the orphanage compound and not have to travel to schools that are far away.

The expansion will also include a new dormitory that will separate the boys and girls. Currently, all the children live together in a two-story building. His long-term plan also includes building a recreation room and a vegetable garden. Having a garden will allow the children to learn how to grow vegetables, saving money by not having to purchase them from outside. In addition, D’urso hopes to construct a chicken coop where they will have chickens and fresh eggs.

During the visit, D’Urso planned for the future expansions and for the next trip where he will bring volunteers from the U.S. to help construct the school, dormitory, garden, and chicken coop.

“I remember growing up poor in a small Italian village during WWII,” D’Urso said. “I was so hungry that I tried to eat a bar of soap supplied by the American Liberation Troops. I want to do what I can to make life better for these orphans.”