Staff Story: Magdala Joseph, Haitian Outreach Staff Member in Haiti
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.”