As a 6 year old, after my family moved further away, my brother and I walked 1 hour each way to and from school. My brother walked for more than 2 hours each way to high school for 5 years. We both had to carry the vegetables our family had grown to the market twice a week waking up very early in the morning. We gathered the wood to cook, carried the water before and after school, and worked like adults in the farms. We knew what it meant to work hard to find our way out of poverty. We used candles to study at night. My message to the children when I return home is that if they keep working hard, some doors will open one day. In my case, completing high school, medical school and residency; in 2015 I returned to Haiti, this time with a second medical license. I would not have made it without the support from the Baptist Haiti Mission and some other amazing people I have met along the way. Without them, my hard work would not have led far. I go to Haiti several times annualy to work in the clinic, but during that trip in 2015 when my wife and I were working on some projects for the new clinic facility, I was struck by a conversation I had with 12 children aged from 8 through 14 carrying goods to the market. They were waiting for dawn so they could walk back home to the mountains. Just a few of them were going to school. I sat for about 2 hours trying to hide my emotions because one day, I was in that exact same position. When I asked them if there were one thing I could do for them, what would they choose, they all wanted to go to school and have books. That was the night I decided that being a Physician and providing care might be an awesome opportunity to do good work, but in my case, it is not enough. I was called for a bigger task that will in the long term change the lives of so many children. The change we are waiting to happen in Haiti starts with educating those children, reminding them that they belong too. They are smart, resilient, beautiful and have the right to grow and become whatever they want to be but above all, honest citizens who care for their country and community. In a way to express gratitute, my family started years ago a family fund to help children in the moutains of Qui-Croit to continue their schooling. Through our projects with Words In Action, we have been able to send more children to primary and high school. Last year, we started sponsoring some university students training to become teachers. Starting 2021 the list of university students will grow to 3 in education, 1 as a laboratory technician and 2 young ladies as nurses. They all will graduate in 3 to 4 years and will return to work in the school and clinic. We are strategizing how to improve the school facilities, supplement the teachers training, and establish a library. I deeply believe that what these children and youth truly need is not handouts but a hand up to help them take the first steps. Our goal is to prepare younger generations to become more self sufficient. In time, our hope is to extend our reach througout the more destitute provinces around the country one day promoting education for all children as a human right. We wanted to introduce you to four of our students by way of short biographies. If you feel touched by their stories and would like to help us secure enough fund for the next 4 years, we invite you to make a contribution to their tuition and our education projects. 100% of the funds are applied directly to the education program(this is very important to know). My name is A. Nazaire. I am this year completing my second year studying education at the university sponsored by Dr Louis. I was born in Qui-Croit. I went to the Qui-Croit primary school as a child, then moved to petion-ville in order to attend the public high school. Since I left my parents for high school, I had to mature and deal with personal issues and my anxiety on my own. I am hard working and goal-oriented. I have always wanted to go further in school to reach my potential. I believe I can make a difference, a long-lasting impact in my community, in my country<img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/53495132_1608752871540453_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="53495132_1608752871540453_r.jpeg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/53495132_1608753152541038_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="53495132_1608753152541038_r.jpeg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/53495132_1608752593181125_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="53495132_1608752593181125_r.jpeg" /> My name is M. Lerantus. I graduated from high school in 2019. I was born in Qui-Croit, completed elementary school at the school of Callebasse. Completing high school was one of the very challenging things I had to do. So often I went to school without any food and not knowing what I will eat later in the day. I did 3 years of school with one uniform. I used to be bullied because my shoes were worn out. I had to work extremely hard but successfully graduated high school. I would like to be successful myself one day so I can help others gravitate. I’d like to become a biology and biochemistry teacher. I also would like to be a lab technician as well. I can also do a lot of manual job being a handy man. I know God has a plan for my life and He will always make a way. I’ll continue to trust Him. My name is G. Dorisme. I was born in Qui Croit and completed elementary at the Qui-Croit school until 6th grade. My father passed away when I was in 4th grade. Things then became extremely hard. My mother fought to keep us in school. I moved on to finish high school in Kenscoff commuting 2 and ½ hours each way under the burning sun and rain, the mud and sometimes the dust for 7 years. I had a dream to become a linguist to teach English and Spanish. I did go to an English school for a year after high school, but my mother was not able to afford paying, I dropped out. I looked for work but there is nothing. I am so fortunate to be the recipient of this scholarship. I look forward to going back and completing my degree in English and Spanish to return and teach the children of my community of Qui Croit. My name is F. W. Revilus. I was born in Qui-Croit. Attended primary school in Qui-Croit until grade 6. Completed grades 7 through 9th in Kenscoff. Then due to financial difficulties, moved to Petion-ville, leaving my family behind to attend the public high school until I graduated. While I was in school, I always came home over the weekends. I still play the guitar at the Qui-Croit church. My parents don’t have the means to send me to university. Jobs are very difficult here to find, more so if you do not have a profession. I was very excited when Dr. Louis offered to help with university, then to come back and work for my community. I have a lot of ideas I’d like to bring to help protecting the environment and education.

Reginald Banks

Anonymous

Aida Atiq

Changing lives through education project

Still $23,150 to go. Help us build momentum.