I wanted to bring you up to date on this wonderful, sweet, and mindful young man, Jean Edwouard. We first laid eyes on him when we were with a team from “Feed My Starving Children.” We were feeding children and giving out food to the people in Old Letant. It is such a poor village, worse than most. I happened to see a small boy toting a big six-gallon bucket of water on his head. His little legs were wobbling as he took the heavy bucket from his head and placed it on the ground. He looked to be no older than six. Then, he went out and found small sticks to make a fire and started to cook. I asked him who he was cooking for, and he explained to us his situation, about his aunt and uncle and all that. “Do you go to school?” I asked. “No,” he quietly replied. I knew then that he was a restavek slave child and would always be one if we didn’t do something.

I went over to his aunt and told her that “he was going home with us.” We took him to our orphanage, got him a physical, and put him in school. He is now in his senior year. In a couple of months, he will graduate and will look forward to attending a school or university that teaches sewing and how to make dresses, suits, etc. That is his passion.

He is “all boy” on the soccer field and tough when playing basketball. We want him to “follow his dream.” He will be looking for a college in a safer place in Haiti. I told him, “Follow your dream and do what makes you happy!” I know he will!!

Sherry