Update on Jean Richard…

(Jean) Richard is a young man who just graduated from “Philo”, the last high school class. It is very difficult to pass these classes, but all four of our older children passed. Richard is handicapped and cannot walk without a walker. He was raised in a handicapped orphanage here in Haiti but when the earthquake hit, that orphanage was destroyed. The leaders in the orphanage had to find homes for all the children and we got Richard.

What a talent he has, he can play the keyboard and bass guitar by ear. He can also play the drums, and he teaches our children how to play. After finishing “Philo” he decided that he wanted to “learn music.” I told him, “Richard, it would be like starting all over and trying to learn notes and how to read music… you play well by ear.” He found a music school in Haiti that charges $654 for just 45 minutes a week. The place where the music classes are located is in downtown Port-au-Prince, in a dangerous area. On top of this, he would have to ride a “Tap Tap,” (public transportation, similar to a pickup truck with wooden seats in the back and a tin covering). The problem, as I explained to him, is that there are “many students and older people pushing to get on the Tap Tap.” I told Richard, “They will push you out of the way, and you will never be able to get on and off each week. You could get hurt!” We found a university that is a couple of miles from here, that is “handicap friendly,” and he can stay there by the week. He decided to go there and study “economics and accounting.” He is in the process of registering now.

When you have an orphanage or children’s home in Haiti it is like raising your own children but many more of them! In Haiti, everything is expensive and there are no “college grants” to apply for. It is a great responsibility on our shoulders each day, but we know that these children are the future of Love A Child and of Haiti!

We are thankful to their sponsors, and we love and appreciate everyone’s help! God bless you!

Sherry