Jonas is now ten years old, we think, and in 1st grade! This is remarkable for this little slave boy, because when we met him the first time, he was working in a garden along with older men. He had become a “restavek” child slave! He did not know his parents or when his birthday was! He was afraid to talk to us because “someone was always watching him!” If he did not work hard enough, he would get a beating! If he worked and got food, those who had him would beat him! That happened until the day when we told those people, “You are not allowed to beat him anymore! We are taking him!”

He had never had a bath or eaten three meals a day. He had never been to school. He could hold a heavy, heavy “Haitian hoe” called a wou, but he could not hold a pencil! He is doing very well now! He will be something great one day! God bless our partners “who live to give,” and who make a difference!

Sherry