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 Hi, my name is Genevieve. I have been a missionary working with the Central Plateau—the poorest region of Haiti—since 2011. On my first trip to Haiti, I met Gary Bathol. He is a Haitian artist who started an art school that helps Haitians create art and support themselves and their families. Gary lost his entire art collection and his school in a fire, and is trying to rebuild, for himself and the hundreds of people who depended on his school. Every dollar of this GoFundMe goes directly to support him. Please read his story, in his own words, and thank you for your support.
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 Hi everyone.
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 My name is Gary Bathol, professional artist and founder of HCAS, a humanitarian art school in Mirebalais, in the Central Plateau of Haiti.
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 I am addressing you not only as an artist who has lost everything, but as an educator, mentor, and survivor of a devastating tragedy that has changed my life and the life of my colleagues forever. This has been an unimaginable and devastating loss for me and for the 15 other artists who worked in my studio.
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 Due to a destructive fire and escalating armed gang violence in my town, I lost everything. In just a few hours, everything was gone.
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 My house.
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 My art studio.
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 Our humanitarian art school.
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 My most precious artworks, and other artists' works.
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 Years of creative work I stocked over 7 years to be able to participate in 3 exhibitions in 3 different countries.
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 All our equipment, tools, materials.
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 My business G.B33 Depot and essential documents.
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 The fire took everything, but not my creative spirit.
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 We were forced to flee with empty hands.
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 We could not save a single painting , could not even carry one piece of my life’s work with us.
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 In just a few hours, years of sacrifice, discipline, and dedication were reduced to ashes.
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 It’s hard to describe what it means to lose all those things at the same time, precious art works and a space that represents so much love, effort, and care. I’m determined to rebuild.
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 HCAS was more than a school.
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 It was a Sanctuary.
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 It was a safe space, a refuge, a place without discrimination.
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 Where we welcomed
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 Street children seeking a second chance,
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 Young people living with disabilities searching for dignity,
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 Talented youth with limited opportunities,
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 Future leaders are determined to transform their communities.
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 Through art and professional training, we offered real alternatives to violence and despair. Art was not just creativity , it was empowerment, education and hope. Losing this school means losing a pillar of opportunity for an entire generation.
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 We are raising funds to restart a new life, to reopen the studio and our art school in a safer and more secure environment.
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 The list is overwhelming.
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 But my determination to rebuild is stronger than the loss.
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 This amount is not just funding.
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 It is a second chance.
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 A rebirth.
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 A statement that destruction will not have the final word.
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 Your support means more than a donation.
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 When you contribute, you are not simply helping a young artist buy new brushes and canvases.
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 You are providing alternatives to violence,
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 Investing in vulnerable children,
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 Helping rebuild a dream rooted in community and resilience.
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 Please consider donating or sharing this campaign, every bit of support, $5 ,$10 ,20 ,50 $100 etc. no matter the size will help us take a step toward rebuilding hope.
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 If you are unable to give, please share this campaign with your wider community if you feel called to, sharing this campaign can make an incredible difference, and I will be eternally grateful.
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 I refuse to let fear and destruction define our story.
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 With your support, this will not be the end ,it will be a powerful new beginning.
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 With deep gratitude and hope,
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 Thank you in advance for helping me and my family, the other artists, and the kids of our humanitarian art school.
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 Visit a few of my works here
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 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/partners_of_good_samaritan_in_" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/partners_of_good_samaritan_in_" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/partners_of_good_samaritan_in_</a></a>
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Help artist Gary Bathol Rebuild After Losing Everything

Help artist Gary Bathol Rebuild After Losing Everything

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