September 8-20, 2015

 

For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.  — Ecclesiastes 7:12

 

For so many children growing up in Haiti today, just going to school is an impossible dream. They all know how important school is, even the youngest children.

 

The Facts about Education in Haiti.

Not long after Haiti became the first black independent country in 1804, they established a constitution that, among many other things, set forth its goals for education. The Constitution stated, “Education should be free. Primary education shall be compulsory… State education shall be free, at every level.” They have never been able to reach that goal! Getting an education in Haiti today is very difficult for most families especially for those living in the mountains. Nearly 33 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 12 (500,000 children) do not attend school, and this percentage climbs to 40 percent for children ages 5 to 15. For most children in the rural and mountainous areas of Haiti, this rate is much higher as most have to work to support their families. Almost 60 percent of children drop out of school to help support their families before receiving their primary education (Grades 1-6) certificate.

 

An opportunity for an education in Haiti is very important, but it is too expensive for many families. In a country where the literacy rate is about 50 percent, this is too much of a burden for many Haitians, especially for those living in the mountains and the regions beyond.  They also have the added expense of school uniforms, proper shoes and school supplies which they cannot afford. Most of these areas cannot even afford food.

 

Last week, we started the new school year here in Haiti. We watch as our youngest orphans go off to school for the first time—they look so brave.

 

And then… Just like that, they are graduating from high school and looking towards their future.

 

We are so proud of our older Love A Child orphans! They have grown and learned over the years the importance of a good Christian education and have all worked very hard to achieve their goals. Now, many of them are going to a university or vocational school. They understand that staying in school will help their job opportunities, improve their lives and allow them to better serve their community. Several are already in the workforce and contributing to Haiti’s future.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. — Proverbs 22:6

 

Julia Jeannot

Julia came from Montagne Noire where her mother had died and the father abandoned Julia and her three siblings. They were suffering from malnutrition and tuberculosis when they came to our Love A Child Orphanage.

 

She was one of our oldest orphans and after she completed high school, she went on to study to be a Lab Technician. She is now a Lab Technician at our Jesus Healing Center.

 

Jovanie Jean

When we first took her into our Love A Child Orphanage, she was malnourished and had red hair.

 

She has now completed all of her Rheto and Philo education here in Haiti and is in her second year at Faculté des Sciences Infirmières de l’Université Épiscopale d’Haïti à Léogâne.

 

Mikael

Mikael was one of the oldest boys at our Love A Child Orphanage. Two years ago he completed the highest grade in Haiti’s Philo (12th Grade) Secondary School, and graduated second in his class! He is attending the University for his second year of studying civil engineering.

 

Dana Yolene Jeannot 

Dana came to us, along with her two sisters and a brother, after their mother died and their father abandoned the family.

 

Dana has worked hard for her education and is now a kindergarten teacher at our Love A Child School in Fond Parisien.

 

Julanne Limose

Julanne is the next to youngest of the original four orphans. Her mother’s dying wish was that Bobby and I take care of Julanne and her siblings.

 

Julanne has always wanted to go into the medical field. She has helped us with our Mobile Medical Clinics throughout her teenage years and when she is home from university on break. She is now attending L’Université Notre Dame d’Haïti in Port-au-Prince and is studying to become a pediatrician.

 

Jonise Limose 

Jonise is Julanne’s younger sister, and the youngest of the four original orphans at Love A Child.

 

Jonise is attending a Professional School to be an Office Manager. She helps run our Love A Child accounting office, but she hopes to work in a bank when she graduates.

 

Florence Jennot

We have had Florence since she was a baby after her mother died. She and her three siblings were abandoned by their father.

 

Florence has passed Philo, the highest grade in Haiti’s Secondary School. It was very hard work and we are so proud of her. She has helped us in our Mobile Medical Clinics throughout the years. Florence will be attending the L’Université Episcopale d’Haïti in Port-au-Prince to study physical therapy.

 

Yonel Julien

We found Yonel at age seven while conducting a Mobile Medical Clinic in the mountains of Greffin. His mother and father had died and Haitians who practiced Voodoo were raising him. He was very thin and malnourished when we found him.

 

We brought him to our Love A Child Orphanage where he was given proper nutrition and love, and he has thrived. Yonel recently graduated from plumbing school and looks forward to practicing his new trade while serving the community.

 

These young people are the future of Haiti, and we want to get as many poor Haitians educated as possible because education is the only way to put Haiti on the path for sustainable development.

 

We know that God has a plan for all of our Love A Child orphans, but we need a miracle so that all these children can fulfill their dreams, just as Julia and Dana have. There are more of our Haitian children who will soon be going to college. Please consider contributing toward our College Fund. If you have ever thought about giving to a College Fund for children living in a third world country, this is it! Please call our office at 239-210-6107 to speak with a staff member about helping to put one or more of our orphans through college! Thank you and God bless you!

Sherry