TeacHaiti

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!

This past week, a medical team from Fairfax Community Church in Virginia traveled to Haiti to provide medical and dental services to the families of TeacHaiti.
Not only TeacHaiti School of Hope students, but also their parents, were invited for this clinic day. Each person got a checkup, a visit with a dentist, and also had their weight and eyesight measured.
This little TeacHaiti student shows off her new toothbrush and toothpaste. In her other hand is her newly-begun student health record. The medical team made a health record for each student so they can track health information (such as weight or eyesight) over time. In addition, the records will enable the church to determine which students require more extensive treatment (such as tooth extractions) and connect with local medical facilities to get the procedures needed.
Students and parents wait in line to get a check-up of hands, feet, ears and eyes.
Some received prescriptions to treat infections, and every student went home with vitamins. After seeing the doctors and dentists, all patients received a hot lunch. Thank you, Fairfax Community Church! On behalf of our students, I am so grateful for the blessing you have given. For many, it was the first time ever to see a dentist. Mesi!

Miquette

Pictures taken by Ben and Katie Kilpatrick.

To the world you may be one, but to one child you may be the world.

 We want to thank all of our supporters and sponsors for their generosity.  TeacHaiti would not have been able to support over 200 children this past school year without your contributions. Our goal is to see these children graduate.  If you are a sponsor and would like to renew your sponsorship, you can still send your donation this month. If you would like to become a sponsor, please send in your donations of $350 to us and we will make sure to find you a child in need of the bread of education. Our waiting list of students is overwhelming with deserving children hoping  to go school this coming fall.  However, the number of students going to school this fall in your hands.  For more information on sponsorship, please click on sponsor a child.

Make a difference for a child today by sponsoring or by helping us keep our doors open.  All donations make a significant difference!