TeacHaiti

A message from Miquette to TeacHaiti sponsors:

As the Christmas season approaches, I’ve received many notes from sponsors asking how they can give their child a Christmas gift.

Beginning this year, we are not accepting gift items through the mail. This is due to the high expenses paid per pound to our mailing service, as well as the high fees required to get packages cleared through Haitian customs.

We are, however, throwing a big Christmas party for all TeacHaiti kids on December 17. All TeacHaiti kids will receive treats and enjoy fun activities there. However, if any sponsor desires to do something special for their child, we are accepting donations via Paypal which will be used to purchase an appropriate local gift for your child. This will have the added benefit of supporting local Haitian businesses as well. Just make the donation via Paypal and write “Christmas gift for (child’s name)” in the special instructions box. I will be sure to take many photos of our Christmas party!

The words “thank you” don’t fully express how grateful I am for your sponsorships. Mesi ampil!

Miquette Denie
TeacHaiti Founder

On Monday, October 3, TeacHaiti resumed classes for the 2011-2012 school year. All over Haiti, the beginning of the school year was evidenced by the appearance of little kids in uniforms, and also heavy traffic! I was so happy to begin the year at the TeacHaiti School of Hope with opening ceremonies.

This year we have expanded and are now offering K – 5th grade at the TeacHaiti School of Hope (last year was only 1st – 4th).

Thank you, thank you, sponsors. None of this would be possible if it were not for each of you providing for one of our students’ education.

Raising the flag

New entrance mural at TeacHaiti School of Hope

Lining up by class near the flagpole

Showing off new uniforms and school supplies

TeacHaiti teachers

Miquette, TeacHaiti founder and leader, speaks to the parents

Happy in their classroom

We are so excited for this school year!

Miquette

Thank you to Elisabeth Ream for taking these photos.

In 2007 a young woman named Nadege Charles came to me and asked for help. She was a humble student, but had worked extremely hard and found success in her studies. She had a dream to become a nurse. She had finished high school several years earlier, but had been unable to figure out a way to pay for her post-secondary education.  It is rare in Haiti to achieve a high school education, but even more shocking is the fact that 99% of Haitian high school grads do not go on to attend college. This is due exclusively to the financial hurdles.

I told Nadege I was sorry that our country had failed her. I sincerely regretted that she could not use her strengths and skills to help her people. Unfortunately, I had to tell her that TeacHaiti was not able to give college scholarships. She was heartbroken, and so was I. Being the assertive woman that she is, she returned in 2008 with the same request. I proposed the idea to the TeacHaiti board of directors in Minnesota, and, as always, they supported the idea. TeacHaiti sent three college students to school in 2008, and two have already graduated with lab technology degrees.  Both are currently working.

Nadege’s Triumph

Last Sunday was an extremely proud day for me. In only three years, Nadege graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has been first in her class since her freshman year. She graduated summa cum laude on Sunday in a class of over 60 students.  I was so proud to hear her exquisite valedictory speech. I tried hard to hold back the tears of joy. During her address, she heaped thanks upon TeacHaiti. She is grateful that TeacHaiti believed in her competence and gave her a chance to make her nursing dreams come true.

Sponsors, thank you much for making Nadege’s dreams come true. We have added one competent nurse to the health care system in Haiti.  I can say with confidence that Haiti is a better place because of her.

Mesi anpil!