Magdala was born June 15, 1993. Her mother died during childbirth and her father could not take care of her, leaving her orphaned.

Strangers took her in and raised her. At age 12 Magdala started primary school, until age 16, when she went to the Queen Mary Immaculate Boarding School at Ste. Marie, Port Au Prince, Haiti. The earthquake in 2010 destroyed many of the buildings at Ste Marie, and families of many of the girls living at the boarding school came for them after the earthquake. Magdala shares, “ I stayed because no one came to pick me up”. At the age of 24, she met her father’s other children.

Magdala continued to live at Ste. Marie Convent and was adopted by Sister Gibbs, who assisted her until Sister Gibbs death. Magdala had a room in the Sister’s dormitory, but she had to move and now lives in the Bureau Leclerc building. She met Haitian Outreach volunteer Muriel, during one of Muriel’s many trips to Haiti. Though Magdala did not have a Haitian Outreach sponsor, Muriel assisted her to attend secretarial classes and provided her with other necessities.

Magala started to work with Haitian Outreach, assisting with the assembling and distribution of backpacks, as well as obtaining student demographic information. Magdala has proved her abilities and dedication to the Haitian Outreach program mission. She has taken on more responsibilities, as the Haitian Outreach volunteers have not been able to travel due to Covid and the political insecurities in Haiti.

Magdala is currently the lead staff person on the ground in Haiti. We are in constant contact with her and she continues to collect demographic information, interpret for us, and photographs each child with their backpack. She works directly with the Sisters and YeYe to coordinate this extensive project which involves approximately 300 students at the 6 schools where Haitian Outreach has sponsored children. Magdala continues to study English to improve her ability to communicate and interpret, and hopes to take a cooking class in the future.

Magdala was hired by the Sisters to be a full-time staff member at Queen Mary Immaculate Intec Nursery School, “aka Lalue school”, as Prefect of Discipline. She makes 8000 HTG (Gourdes) or about $50.00 US per month. This helps her buy personal items and food. She also receives a small stipend from Haitian Outreach for her work.

Magdala has recently completed and received the “Days for Girls” International Ambassador of Health training certificate. Days for Girls is a global nonprofit working to eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation. Haitian Outreach and the Days for Girls chapter in Gardner, MA are collaborating on a pilot program for Haitian Outreach students. The certificate allows Magdala to teach the menstrual health curriculum, demonstrate how to use the menstrual kits and distribute the kits to young women in our program at Lalue school.

She was able to take the course online due to the generosity of our donors. A new laptop and camera were purchased for her in order to be able to complete the detailed work she manages for Haitian Outreach. Her work is invaluable as it tells our sponsors that their donations go directly to assist these children in getting an education.

In Magdala’s own words:

“It is a real pleasure to speak to you and let you know how Haitian Outreach has helped me, my family and moreover, the children, who are lucky enough to find help (with sponsorship from Haitian Outreach). Haiti is no longer the country you know from other times. We are going through difficult days. We have malnourished children, children who do not go to school, but God sent us the Haitian Outreach group to help us. I send, and the children too, a big special thank you to the members of Haitian Outreach for your help and support. You have given us so much. All our love to you.” ♥️

Magdala and Christina waiting for students to arrive at Mother Monique school in Haiti.

Magdala Joseph, in flowered dress, at LaLue school on 2/10/2023

“Approximately one of every 80 women in Haiti will die from childbirth and pregnancy related causes.”

— EveryMotherCounts.org

This is the Second in a series of interviews with students in the Haitian Outreach program. The focus is to keep you better informed about life in Haiti, as well as the impact that each of you make on the lives of these children.

Our second student is, Thierry Saint –hilaire

Pauline met Thierry purely by accident. His sister, Ashley has been in the Haitian Outreach program since she was a young girl. Nancy & Jim have consistently sponsored her throughout her years of school.

In 2020 when a small group went to Haiti, Ashley’s father, Jean-Claude came to Ste. Marie to meet Pauline and the team. He was well dressed and spoke excellent English, a happy man. Grateful for what Haitian Outreach had done to keep Ashley in school because he lost his job with the government. He passed away that same July. His passing created a problem for Thierry as he could not afford to attend university without his father’s financial assistance.

Here is what Thierry has to say: My name is Thierry Saint-hilaire of Haiti. I was born in Haiti and lived here my entire life. I live with my family; my father died 2 years ago. My family includes a big sister, a little brother and a little sister, Ashley. I was studying legal sciences at the University of Port au Prince (UP) when my father had a heart attack and died. After the death of my father, it was very difficult for me financially to continue my law studies, which is a dream that I cherished from my early childhood years. My little sister is part of the Haitian Outreach program and therefore we were in contact with Mrs. Pauline to see if she could help me finish my studies. She said she could not make any promises but would look for a sponsor to help me finish my years in the university. She asked me to send a transcript of my grades/notes from the university to view the work I had completed. Thanks to God a sponsor was found! Mrs. Parisi offered to sponsor a university student. She was the angel who would help me continue my studies. She financed me to finish my studies. I recently finished my classical studies. I am truly grateful for her assistance to fulfill my dream!

I did not resume my law studies without difficulties from our country’s insecurities. Every day is a struggle. I give myself, body and soul to realize my dream. This is all thanks to you who support this special program.

In the month of October 2021 my mother was hospitalized following an illness, as a student who did not even have a little job, it was difficult to buy medicines for her. Haitian Outreach allowed me to buy the medicine to help her be well, I thank you for this huge gesture. (Larry’s Food Fund) We prayed not to lose our mother so soon after our father died.

Thanks to this program Haitian Outreach helps many people in Haiti especially me and my little sister. Being able to fulfill my dream through education means everything to me, my family and our mother. Every donation helps those of us who do not have what is necessary to manage everyday life.

Please continue to provide your generous donations to Haitian Outreach which distributes it with generosity and much love to the children of Haiti. Haitian Outreach helps us to lay the precious stones to achieve our dreams and shape our future.

Thierry St-hilaire at University of Port au Prince 2022. Thierry is currently working on his thesis and hopes to present it in the fall. He officially graduates in October, provided the country is safe. He will then register to take the bar exam and wants to represent widows and orphans.

Recent photo of Ashley & her brother Thierry

Ashley in 2017 receiving her backpack at Ste Marie, PAP

This is the beginning of a series of interviews with students in our program. The focus is to keep you better informed about life in Haiti, as well as the impact that each of you make on these children. We also ask if you know of anyone who can help with the difficulties these students face each day.

Our first student is, Naika. We first met Naika in 2014 when we went to Haiti to deliver backpacks. She came to talk with us at St. Marie. She asked Pauline if she could help her go to school. She was sixteen years old at the time and had never been to school. Her older brother was the one in her family to get an education (in Haiti only one child per family goes to school)

Pauline said she would try and lo and behold God sent Renee to her to sponsor an older child that had never been to school.

Naika is going into the sixth grade in September 2022 and then going on to middle school. She loves school and has excellent grades. She aspires to be a graphic artist.

Here is what Naika says: How do I live?

“I live with my family in a one-room apartment. We are eight who live in this place. My parents are unemployed. My father worked in air conditioning. We fight every day to survive. My brother has a college degree but cannot get work. He now has his own baby to care for and feed. My family has no salary. We live day to day. Sometimes we even go to sleep without eating. “

“Food should be within everyone’s reach, especially here in Haiti. Food is expensive for a family. For many who live here, it is a luxury. But for many it is a struggle each day.”

How do I go to school?

“Since I met Pauline and the volunteers of Haitian Outreach, I was able to cross the barrier of school. I am the eldest of three girls. I am in my last year of primary school- sixth grade. I really like school and work extremely hard to get good grades and make Haitian Outreach proud of me.”

“Sometimes we encounter insecurities in our country, and it prevents us from going to school, but Haitian Outreach does what it can to help each student. I like to go to school and thank all the sponsors who do their best to help each child. We always like the opportunity to continue our studies and get as far as we can. We know it is important for our future. “

“We do not have an easy life but we the children of Saint Marie, who are part of the Haitian Outreach program have the privilege of being able to learn and go to school.”

“I speak on behalf of all others to you and all the sponsors. I continue to pray that God may multiply their lives and give them good health for as long as possible. It is my pleasure to be a part of this program!

Story by Paula Lanson

Each year when we visit Port Au Prince, Haiti, Haitian Outreach volunteers get to spend time with the neighbor kids.  Jeannette and Bob are Jeff’s Haitian Outreach sponsors, but Jeff has wormed his way into all of our hearts.  Jeff was born 07/02/2000 and is 20 years old. He is in the 9th grade = HS1 (high school-1st year).  He started school at age 4 but, after the earthquake, economic down-turn and inflation, Jeff’s mom, a single parent, couldn’t afford full tuition, uniform and books so Jeff didn’t attend school for many years. 

Jeff entered the Haitian Outreach program and he was given a” hand up” with partial school tuition, and a backpack filled with school supplies and other essentials each year.  Families have to provide the balance of tuition.  Jeff’s mom earned money as a seamstress until her old sewing machine broke. It could not be repaired. Unlike the United States, families don’t have credit cards to purchase items when they don’t have cash or savings.  The broken sewing machine has made life very difficult for the family. Jeff, as many others in Haiti, is always hungry.  Food is very expensive in Haiti.  As Jeff knows, sometimes you can’t pay for both food and school.

Paula had the privilege of visiting Jeff’s home on one of the mission trips with Haitian Outreach. Jeff, his mother, 2 aunts, one grandmother and 2 cousins all share a small 2 room dwelling, without windows or running water, in an area called “Community Housing”.

At that time, Paula met Jeff’s family. Jeff’s great grandmother (now deceased) was the same age as her own mom-84. Jeff’s grandmother was the same age as Paula-62; Jeff’s mom was the same age as one of Paula’s daughters-36 and Jeff was the same age as Paula’s grandson-16. She saw Jeff’s great grandmother sitting on a hard-plastic resin white chair without a cushion. She looked so uncomfortable and complained about aches and pains.

Paula thought about her own mother sitting in her comfortable lift-chair in a large sunny apartment in Massachusetts. This contrast was not a coincidence and deeply affected her. God wanted this family to touch Paula's loving heart in a way that she could relate this experience to her own family. Most families in Haiti have nothing to compare their lives to except with they see on social media; we in civilized countries see a different side of the reality. There are no safety nets in Haiti.

At 20, Jeff is the man of the house. He understands the importance of getting an education.  Jeff wants to stay in school, study English and after graduation go on to study building electricity at a local trade school.  Currently, Jeff and 2 other neighborhood boys are working with a privately paid English teacher, to become proficient in speaking English. This effort is in addition to his regular classical studies and shows his drive to be better for himself and his family.  

The national language is Haitian Creole and French. The children are taught French in school, but to speak English, is a must to be able to secure employment in Haiti.  Many of our students speak three languages when they graduate from high school.  This is a great asset for their future. Through the wonder of the internet, “What’s App”, I am able to get regular video updates on the Jeff’s progress to learn English. Someday, as the volunteers who meet Jeff say “Jean Pierre Deristil, with a good education you could be president”

KEY EDUCATION CHALLENGES IN HAITI 2020 UPDATE

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), churches, communities and for‐profit operators privately manage more than 85 percent of primary schools.

1. Low enrollment: Primary school enrollment is roughly 85 percent – an improvement from earlier years but still low.

2. The average Haitian, age 25 years or older, has less than five years of schooling.

3. School fees can be prohibitively expensive for low-income families.

4. Poor literacy rates: A U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) early grade reading assessment:

   1. revealed that roughly 75 percent of children at the end of first grade and nearly half of students finishing second, grade could not read a single word.

   2. further, only 61 percent of the adult population is literate.

5. Lack of government oversight: Most schools in Haiti receive minimal government oversight and are expensive relative to average earnings.

6. Shortage of qualified teachers: Half of public sector teachers in Haiti lack basic qualifications and almost 80 percent of teachers have not received any pre‐service training.

According to USAID  (https://www.usaid.gov/documents/1862/usaidhaiti-education-fact-sheet-january-2020),

Jeff at home

Jeff at school

Blue arrow points to his mother, Brunette Deristil, aunt and 8-year-old cousin (who is unable to afford tuition to attend school)

Paula Lanson & Jeffrey in Haiti March 2020

The auditorium is quiet except for a few students and John and Pauline Aliskevicz. One student is preparing the presentation with the projector and screen. The other students huddle together and help display Haitian hand-made items. 

Suddenly, the bell sounds and voices and calamity come from the hall into the auditorium. The students of St. Bernard Central Catholic High School, Fitchburg and their teachers enter and take their seats.

The presentation begins with the history of Haitian Outreach and the work that has been done for over 20 years with the children of Haiti, in conjunction with the Sisters of the Mary Queen Immaculate.

A picture is worth a thousand words and the students see a make-shift home with corrugated metal sides and roof. Many in Haiti live in places like this. Students walk for miles to go to school.

Pictures of our students in the schools we visit in March are displayed. Naika is 20yo and is in the 4th grade. She is an excellent student and so happy to be in school. Her family lives in a one-room home with 9 people living there right now. They use the bathroom at the school next door. No one works and living is a day-to-day effort. Haitians are resilient spiritual people and grateful for the help and support we provide.

We mention that only 60% of adults in Haiti can read and write. This is hard to imagine in this United States of America. There are few public schools; so if no one works in your family, your children are unable to learn and get an education.

We have everyone’s attention; it is time for Q&A. A teacher asks: “What do Haitian children eat for lunch?”  We hesitate, and there are mumblings in the crowd about lunch period coming up and the choices. Sadly, many Haitian children only eat every 3 days. There is no food if you do not have money. Some children only eat every 3 days. Some will put a kidney bean in and suck on it for the nutrition. It has been a pleasure to speak to these young people and talk to them about a place of such poverty.

We are thanked with an applause and the students of the Nagle Honor Society hand us an envelope with $113.00 inside. They had a dress-down day and charged $3.00/student. The school sponsors a child- Fleurdy Royer- and this money will be given to him as “rice money” when we see him in March. 

The students also surprise us by presenting us with an award for “Character Recognition”, which is one of the goals for the honor society in February. We are pleased and moved to receive this award for the work we do in Haiti.

The Honor society will have collection bins in the hall at the high school for new and used backpacks, school supplies and non-perishable food through the next few month. God bless you all!

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Emmelyn Bertha Marc graduated from the EHMA Hoteliere Marie Auxiliatrice with a degree in Culinary Arts July 2019

Emmelyn, born November 30, 1998, was first sponsored by Haitian Outreach, nonprofit child education program, at the age of 6 when she enrolled in school.  She is from a family of 5.  Her brother Stanley Marc was also sponsored by Haitian Outreach and graduated from Classical Studies or high school, in July 2014.  Her father passed away in 2007, which makes life very difficult for a family in Haiti.

Emmelyn has worked very hard to make a better life for herself and her family.  After graduating from classical studies in 2017,she went on to study at the Adventist Institution majoring in Bible study and Philosophy.  Realizing she needed to obtain an education in a field that would lead to employment, she switched gears entering the EHMA Hoteliere Marie AuxiliatriceCollege.  Her love of preparing food for her family and the fact that there were many new businesses and hotels hiring in the culinary field motivated this choice.

The economy of Haiti had been rebuilding after the devastating earth quake in 2010.  Many hotels and shops were starting to open. Emmelyn, known as a fabulous cook, had an internship in the norther section of the country, Cap Haitien at AUBERGE VILLA CANA. She was looking forward to finding employment at one the new business or hotels which had opened in Haiti.  Unfortunately, according to Emmelyn, “The recent Political unrest with violence has brought so much strife to Haiti. People cannot work and businesses are closing.”  

She will not give up! Building upon a great reputation in the community, she continues to look for opportunities to find a job and earn a living. 

She wants to thank her sponsor for assisting her to obtain an education.  This has changed her life forever!  In a country without widespread quality public education, families must pay tuition for their children to attend school.  Emmelyn and her brother both realize how a small organization like Haitian Outreach made such a big difference in their lives.

It’s dark, maybe 4 am, I awaken to roosters crowing across the hillside. One of which, happens to live under the convent window were I am sleeping.  Another day begins in Haiti. 

Tap, tap, tap, the sounds of footsteps on the dry steep road, walking down in the morning and up in the evening. 

  Today, as with most of the 6 days we are in Haiti, we go to the “Bureau Leclerc”, where Haitian Outreach stores the back packs and supplies for the children.  Backpacks one after another being checked and double checked, loaded onto the trucks, covered and guarded by men.  Long rides through oceans of people selling their wares on the narrow dusty streets.

Wide eyed children, nervous as strangers come to their school to greet them. Their excited voices washing over me as I pass out lollipops.  One of the tasks is to measure their feet, as we buy shoes and socks as part of the backpack supplies.  The process of checking names, giving each child a back pack and taking pictures for their sponsors is repeated student after student. 

 My impressions are mixed with emotions as I visit a student’s home.  Jeffery’s home is so meager, yet clean.  We have no comparison here: there are 5 generations in a home with 2 rooms.  His father was killed in the earthquake.  At 12, he is the only man in his house. One boy I meet, Aristad is an orphan, living with a relative. He is so sweet, with a lively smile and twinkle in his eye, he needs a sponsor, Bill and I will sponsor him.  

Children are cared for, their uniforms pressed and clean.  I find myself asking how can they do this without running water?  How many children can I sponsor?  I have so much compared to these children and families. 

Now, I am forever changed by what I saw. 

For two hundred dollars, we can make it possible for children like Jeffery and Aristad to attend school. They will have a chance to learn, grow and maybe change their future.  

Please visit our Child Sponsorship Program  page to learn more about how you can help us assist the Sisters of Immaculate Queen Mary and educate the neediest of youth in Haiti.

She was a sweet little girl who became an educated person. One more hope for Haiti.

Everything started on one of our first visits to Haiti, in the year of 2000 when I and my first wife Lorrie with a group of 6 volunteers flew there and a stop at the Lilavois Mission. 

On arrival, we noticed a little girl named Beatrice. At that time, she might have been 5 years old. She was adorable, but too shy to talk to us, because that was the first time in her life seeing a white person. For some reason, she would spend most of the day with the sisters.

 As we worked at the property, she just sat and watched us. We gave her a very small teddy bear (Nounous in creole) as a gesture of friendship and also a small box of raisins.

She held those raisins all day until I noticed and asked a sister to inform her it was good to eat.

Beatrice was our sponsored child. And every year when we returned to Haiti, we would see her and bring her gifts. She is now on the Island of Dominique as a novice becoming a sister. We still have contact through her brother in Haiti and look forward to going to visit her when she takes her vows.

May God bless her so that she could be well prepared to come back to her country being able to help the poor in Haiti.

 

It’s winter, I’m sitting in church at the 6:00pm mass and Deacon John is talking about the Haitian mission that St. Bernard supports. 

His story is interesting to say the least. I find myself thinking about their situation in Haiti.  John, with his way of painting a picture with his words portrays an opportunity that is fulfilling and needed.  We’ve all seen the commercials on television about the people who have so little and are less fortunate than we are in our country. 

Over the next few weeks John’s talk keeps coming to me and I think, is that something I really could do?  Do I have what it takes to help.  I talk to my wife about it and she says I should go; it would be a great opportunity to help those in need.  She also makes the point it would probably be an experience like no other; and not just an experience but probably a life changing one.

Have you ever thought about doing something that is new and uncertain? 

Have you ever thought about why some people are more fortunate than others? Like all people I’ve had many experiences in my life, school, work, marriage, children, death of a loved one.  These experiences mold us and make us the people we are, but they can also change our outlook on life.

Needless to say I decided to go on the Haitian mission.  It was 9 days of my life that gave me more emotions that one could expect to receive in that period of time.  I didn’t know what to expect, even after speaking with others who had gone before.  I was excited, scared, hopeful and apprehensive.  It was nice to go with some whom had been before and some that were new to it just like I was.

After arriving at the airport, then taking the trip to the convent where we stayed, it was already starting to hit home that this wasn’t what I was used to or expected.  Seeing the condition of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, it began the list of emotions that would change my outlook forever.  The Sisters made us feel like family and opened their home and hearts to our being there.  Over the next week we visited several schools that had the most wonderful children.  Many were very excited to see us and some were quite shy.  It was understandable why they had mixed emotions.  It became clear the longer we were with the children the more comfortable they became.

There were also children at the convent that looked at us with many different feelings and emotions.  As the days went by the relationship and trust with the children grew and we exchanged lots laughs and had great conversations.

I thought I would be going to Haiti to help and provide service to their people. I truly know this was accomplished. But it was I that gained more from them than they did from me.  It wasn’t just the children that made an impression on me.  There are so many Haitian people who are helping others in need.  They are caring and loving and you can see God’s will within them as they do what they can and give hope and guidance to all.  

Not only did I meet and work with wonderful people in Haiti but I met the best group of friends right here in Fitchburg doing God’s work.

How did I now feel as I was getting ready to leave this country, this experience?  My emotions became clearer to me.  I AM….

Humbled when I see how many live with their daily conditions.

Appreciative for what I have when others have so little.

Impressed with what the Sisters do and the love they show for all the children in their care.

Thankful for the beautiful people I was able to meet during my time spent in Haiti.

It put things in perspective when I think what is important to me versus what is important to others.

Thank you Jill, John and God for sending those messages to me, for I am the one who had the Life Changing Experience.  I am the one who received the beautiful experience only the children of Haiti could provide.

 Love always…Dennis

What do you want?  A new pair of shoes, Starbucks coffee,  a new couch, new sheets,  a better hair style?  What do you need?  I mean really need?  

If you had very little money or no money, no access to clean water to drink, or food to eat.  How would that change you?  This year’s trip to Haiti overwhelmed me with the human need I saw and felt. 

A psychologist, Maslow, in the 1940’s identified the human need to become a fully actualized person. In order to become that person, we need to have the basic needs of food, water, warmth, rest, and safety fulfilled.                                                          

Currently in Haiti, The children we serve are hungry, living without clean water, decent shelters, and medical care.  The “rice money” many of our sponsors send, indeed help the families feed themselves.  We know education is the way, but first the children have to eat, their physical needs must be met. 
                                                      
I was heart sick when a young boy was brought to me, people found out I am nurse, to look at his legs and arms.  They were covered with draining welts and raw skin.  He couldn’t afford the doctor.  We gave him antibacterial soap, bottled water (he doesn’t have access to clean water) to wash his arms and legs and some antibiotic ointment to apply, but I knew it wasn’t enough.   looking out the door of their classroom.

Haitian Outreach, through the opportunity to go to school, gives the children of Haiti hope for a better life.  

We say Education is # 1,  right after a full belly, a pair of shoes, clothes on their backs and a good nights sleep.

For all who support our work, I say thank you. There is no free education in Haiti.  85 % of education is provided through non governmental organization, which ask for tuition.  ( USAID 2016)  Not a penny of your donation is wasted.  We see and touch every child in our program.  We see the spark of hope in the children’s faces when they have a chance to go to school. 

I believe Haitian Outreach makes a difference, one child at a time.
 

I met Nessa the first morning of our trip.   She was 9 years old.  The year was 2007 and it was my first trip to Haiti.  She appeared out of nowhere, with arms folded in fierce determination.  

She said “Mwen vle ale lekòl”. “I want to go to school”.   We figured she must have scaled the 10-foot gate to get into the convent where we warehoused all the backpacks in Bureau LeClerc.  

Like so many children, the poverty in Haiti prohibited Nessa from going to school because schools were not free.  Statistics report that 50 percent of Haitian children do not attend school.  Approximately 30% of children attending primary school will not make it to third grade and 60% will abandon school before sixth grade.  Nessa refused to be another child included in these statistics.    

However, as much as we would love to take them all, we had to explain to Nessa that we would not be able to take more children into the Child Sponsorship program.  There were too many children already waiting for sponsors. So with sadness and disappointment she scaled back over the gate and left us.

The next day, first thing in the morning, stands Nessa at the door of Bureau LeClerc.  I am quite impressed at her ability to scale that gate.  She stands with confidence and conviction not typical of a 9-year-old.  She tells me “Mwen vle ale lekòl”. “I want to go to school”. We explained to this little girl once again that we could not promise her this quest.  Sad and stubbornly, back over the gate she goes.

She tells me “I want to go to school”. "I want to go to school."

Yup.  The next morning there’s Nessa, arms folded, more tenacious than ever.  She tells me again. “Mwen vle ale lekòl”. “I want to go to school”.  I see this little girl means business.  Having worn us down we told her to return with her mother so we could better understand the family’s situation and if possible add Nessa to the list of children waiting for sponsors. 

She tells me “I want to go to school”. "I want to go to school."

Yup.  The next morning there’s Nessa, arms folded, more tenacious than ever.  She tells me again. “Mwen vle ale lekòl”. “I want to go to school”.  I see this little girl means business.  Having worn us down we told her to return with her mother so we could better understand the family’s situation and if possible add Nessa to the list of children waiting for sponsors. 

Back over the gate, she runs home and returns with her mother in less than half an hour.  I speak with Nessa with one of our interpreters and learn she lives down the hill, has 2 sisters and a brother, who also do not attend school, and her favorite color is purple.  When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up her immediate response was “Président”.  No surprise there.  Nessa was one step closer to achieving her dream of going to school. 

What I saw was one of the most passionate of 9 year olds believing in never giving up.  I knew she was to be a great student and successful at whatever she put her mind to.  So I asked if I could sponsor her and there was "a resounding yes".  Nessa was my new idol. 

That was 10 years ago and I have been able to see my dear child and friend every year since.  Nessa is now 18 and will be attending Secondary school in the fall.  She works hard, is an A student and has decided she will be a journalist.  Work she believes is a method to get out the word on how Haiti can and will rise above poverty and prosper.       

I am very fortunate to be a part of Nessa’s life.