Help Send Steeve from Haiti to USI
As you may know, our family is
sponsoring a young Haitian named Steeve Jean.
Steeve has recently graduated High School, and we are trying to help him
come to USI in the fall. We plan to have him start in the English as a
Second Language program at USI on September 15, 2012. The cost of the program is just over
$20,000. USI is not able to assist with
the cost for the first year of ESL, however, with good grades, they are willing
to commit to assist with his 2nd -5th year at USI. My
mission is to collect $5,000. I have a
matching grant that will match up to $5,000.
THE STUDENT
Steeve Jean is 18 years old
and resides in Plaine du Nord, Haiti, a city with a population of approximately
20,000. He was raised by his mother
until about two years ago, when she died suddenly of an undiagnosed illness. Steeve now lives with 8 other individuals,
mostly extended family, in a very modest house of approximately 400 square feet. The photo on this page is taken in front of the Kitchen where Steeve's family lives. Steeve is an active member of St. James Parish, where he has attended
parish schools for the past 12 years. He
recently graduated 13th grade.
Steeve is considered extremely
intelligent and likeable by his pastor, classmates, teachers, and school
administrators. He consistently excels
in the Haitian educational system.
Steeve's pastor at St. James Parish stated that Steeve is "the
brightest" student in the school. While
Steeve speaks French and Creole fluently, his English is limited. Last November, I was able to spend a week with
him in Plaine du Nord. Steeve shared with me that, if he had the
opportunity to be anything in life, he'd like to be a physician.
THE REASON
Because of the oppressive
conditions in which Haitians find themselves, including very limited
educational opportunities, it has long been the dream of those traveling there to break that cycle of oppression by beginning with such
capable students as Steeve. Since illiteracy
is the norm in Haiti, Plaine du Nord offers almost no role models who are well
educated. The lack of most any advanced
education handicaps the ability of Haitians to improve their own plight. Because they can't fend for themselves, their
potential is limited, and most tend to be relegated to lives of eking out an
existence for themselves and their families from the earth, while suffering
from illnesses for which they have little defense because of the scarcity of
health care and medicines. Steeve will return to Haiti when he completes his education and we are convinced that this young man will not
only personally benefit from his education at USI, but his home community and
country will as well.
I would consider it an honor
that you would consider blessing Steeve Jean with a contribution to fund his education at the University of Southern Indiana. Any
donation you can make to help us make this a reality for Steeve will be much
appreciated. I look forward to the
opportunity to personally introducing him to you in the near future.