HIGHLAND | The photos Highland Town Councilman Bernie Zemen shot on a recent trip to Haiti speak volumes.

But it takes a visit to realize the horrors of life there, he said.

"It really didn't sink in until I got back."

Zemen made the trip Aug. 4 with Hammond physician Dr. Christopher McIntire and Hammond resident Michael Fedele.

Fedele founded Maranatha Orphanage and Primary School in the Haitian town of Cite Soleil during his first trip to the country in 2002.

From a one-room schoolhouse with 35 children, the orphanage has grown into a home for 130 to 160 children.

Fedele also founded the nonprofit group, Life For The World, which funds the orphanage and school, and established a goat farm to help the orphanage become self-sufficient.

Now Fedele wants to expand operations so people can sponsor the orphanage's children via the Internet.

The main focus of Zemen's trip was capturing images of the children and the countryside. Those photos will be posted on the website of www.LIFEFORTHEWORLD.com.

Rubble remains virtually everywhere in Haiti from the massive earthquake that struck the Third World nation seven months ago. Despite millions of dollars pouring in, there is little construction going on, Zemen said.

The orphanage is about 30 miles from the earthquake's epicenter.

"You wonder where all that money is going," he said.

Zemen, a professional photographer, said he took about 2,500 photos as he walked the streets near Maranatha Orphanage. He also walked the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, which is about 20 miles south of the orphanage.

He said buildings have sustained significant damage and people live in tents. Many children and adults are starving as the fatality rate continues.

During the visit, McIntire performed many free medical services and held a free clinic at the orphanage, Zemen said.

He said he was amazed McIntire was able to work 16 hours a day despite the 100-degree heat and no air conditioning.

There is no running water, so people had to shower with help of buckets and cups.

"(The Haitians) are very clean people" who shower a couple of times a day, Zemen said.

Those who would like to sponsor a child can do so for $30 per month to help keep the orphanage running - which costs $12,000 per month.

The organization's website is www.lLIFEFORTHEWORLD.com.