HELP PUT RODENS THRU TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN HAITI

This fundraising campaign is to enable Rodens to attend a two-year Technical Program at Haiti-TEC, a professional and technical school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he will learn Computer Science, which will help him make a living.

Rodens is a young Haitian I met in Port-au-Prince when he was an 8-year-old child (going then by the name of Rodenson), having just suffered from the 2010 earthquake that left him an amputee. His crushed right foot had to be amputated. As a photojournalist who had spent two earlier decades in Haiti, I returned after the earthquake to help in any way I could, and this is when I discovered him and his family sheltered for already a month in a broken pick-up truck. They subsequently lived in a makeshift camp for homeless victims in the streets of the capital, under a tent I provided. (see my blog Mission to Haiti: Journal at https://caroledevillers.wordpress.com, 2010 entries dated 02/24, 03/03-04, 05/12). (Photo of Rodenson and his little sister Anne, in the pick-up truck.)

Fast forward: About two years ago, we ran a successful campaign with GoFundMe to get him the new prosthesis he needed and to pay for his English classes at Caribbean English School in Haiti. Moved by his tribulations, many of you contributed. It has paid off! Rodens now speaks and understands English fluently, in addition to French and his native Creole. In 2022 he graduated from the final class at his Lycée (high school) and successfully passed the Baccalaureate exam. (Photo at C.E.S. during an oral test)

In spite of years of hardship and restrictions, or maybe because of it, Rodens, at 21, has become a resilient and responsible young man. His interpersonal skills and generous spirit so impressed his peers, they elected him President of the Lycée that last school year (that's him on the masthead photo, speaking to the students). He was hoping to attend university next but once again Haiti is going through very troubled times, politically and economically, impacting the lives of all, but especially the needy. In the past few months, everything has been quite chaotic with violent street demonstrations, kidnappings and armed gangs ruling the population, businesses unable to open, delays in schools and university openings, sky-rocketing inflation (most everything is imported in Haiti) with staple food reaching exorbitant prices, gas shortages penalizing public transportation (a gallon of gas can be sold for US$35!) and people unable to run daily activities to put food on the table.

This is the situation in which Rodens and his family presently live. His family consists of his grandmother, mother and younger sister and they live in an unsafe neighborhood of the capital, Port-au-Prince, under the roof of an uncle's house, as they cannot afford better housing. Rodens' dream is ultimately to help his country but as he told me “I need to help myself first”. So, he decided it would be better for him to learn a trade that will help him make a living later. The school Haiti-TEC reopened last month and Rodens is enrolled. Now his schooling needs to be paid. Classes started this January and he loves it. Here is his appeal, written by himself:

“I have a great chance to be alive, ready to share my story, my dream. I was born in HAITI. From 2001 to today things were not so good or easy. In 2010 Haiti shook, that left many disabled persons. I am one of them. The same year I met CAROLE and felt like GOD sent me a helping hand. From this day she helps me to keep my spirits up. She helps me know that everything is possible, and she was not alone – a lot of people with great heart were with her. Education is one of the best ways to be successful which is why I would like to keep learning. I would like to learn TECHNIQUES INFORMATIQUE (computer science) at HAITI-TEC. That requires a certain amount of money that unfortunately I don’t have. Please help me realize this part of my dream. Thank you.”

I was struck by his first words “I have a great chance to be alive”. That says it all. Haiti is no laughing matter. And it takes resiliency and courage to keep one’s head above water in such dire circumstances. Having survived the earthquake, his foot amputation, two years of homelessness, hunger, the country’s violent political turmoil, schools operating off and on, and insecurity (a recent attack at gunpoint robbed him of his belongings), Rodens is determined to come out victorious. (Photo of Rodens when a teenager).

But he needs our help. The amount to be raised, $5,600, will help cover his two years at Haiti-TEC (approx $2,500), public transportation to commute to school ($3.75/day at the current fare! about $1,800) and a laptop which he needs to use at home for practice and homework (currently he has to go to a friend's house to use their computer for his technical homework). I will be managing the funds.

Let's give Rodens a brighter future! He sure deserves it and YOU can make a difference in his life. Any contribution, big or small, will be greatly appreciated. With all our thanks and deep gratitude.

(Text updated 01/27/23)