EDUCATION & IMMERSION FALL 2017 OUTREACH TO HAITI espwa, our newsletter of hope HELPING HAITIANS HELP HAITIANS Education: the road out of poverty for Haiti’s youth utreach has had an education they finish school — the ultimate aim of the program in Haiti for more than 25 education. Oyears. Only 15 percent of children in Haiti Here are few of the many students for whom receive a free public education. The rest we are seeking sponsors: must pay for it, or not go to school. Out- Roodjerson reach to Haiti sponsors children and young Inelus adults from kindergarten through universi- ty level. Besides tuition support, Outreach provides tutoring and a computer lab. Stu- dents are also given medical, nutritional Karima and dental support, as well as corrective eyewear, if needed. Pierre Our goal is not only to enable children to attend school, but to provide the support they need to be successful in the classroom. Roodjerson Inelus is 7 years old and is The hurdles the children in Haiti face in being moved up to the third grade. He getting an education are often enormous. likes to read. “I thank you in the name of In a country where less than 15 percent of Almighty God for your sponsorship - it will children finish secondary school, 95 percent allow me to stay in school to be helpful to of the students we sponsor pass each year. Karima Pierre is starting second grade my family and society.” His father has died The state administers national exams at the and lives with her mother “I like read- this year. end of ninth grade, and secondary school ing. My teacher tells stories and makes us (Philo or thirteenth grade), that must be laugh! Going to school to get a good edu- passed to move up in school. In 2016, all our cation is the best opportunity for me to students taking the exams passed. succeed in my life. I want to be a doctor.” We generally add students to the program at the primary grade levels, and support them as they advance, with the Jesula most successful ultimately attending Joseph university or vocational school. Currently we have 38 students in the post-secondary Moise level, in many areas of study. We have ex- panded an internship program and added Museau skill-building seminars for these students to better position them for employment when Cost of Sponsorship Jesula Joseph is starting fourth grade. “I study a lot and I always get my homework ANNUAL INVESTMENT done. This school year I worked so hard, Moise Museau hopes to start third grade. Primary school student studied so much, that I didn’t have any time $425 He loves reading social studies, math and $500 Secondary school student to have fun with friends.” She prays for good French. “After I lost my father, going to health and a life without the problems of $800 Technical school student school was very difficult but thanks to your getting enough food and a permanent home University student $2,000 support I will keep going to school easily, for her family of seven. so I thank you once more.” He hopes if he All the children say, “Thanks to your sup- Any donation is greatly appreciated. studies very hard, to become a “doctor, God’s port I will keep going to school!” We welcome all support! servant.” www.outreachtohaiti.org espwa | FALL 2017 | 1 Haiti’s heroine of the hungry children has died adame Samson, a remarkable generosity of Outreach’s donors, woman who cooked and served Madame Samson’s focus on feeding Msimple meals for hungry children in hungry children remained steadfast. Christ Roi for the last 24 years, has St. Mark’s Church in Westbrook, Conn., passed away. sends generous monthly donations to Madame Samson provided a midday support food programs like this, as do meal to neighborhood children, citing many individuals. this was often the only food they would Because of her dedication, she watched eat all day. hundreds of children grow to healthy In 1993, Madame Samson had adulthood. “Many of the children are approached Outreach to Haiti for funds now married with their own children,” for food and fuel so that she could offer a she once boasted. Many parents hot meal to 25 children, five times a week, expressed their appreciation. on the small front porch of her home. She Madame Samson’s commitment to became our first partner in Haiti. More community service lives on in her four children showed up at her door because children. One daughter is a nurse and their families were simply unable to feed the other regularly helped her with the them. “Children come because they are feeding program. One son is a police hungry,” she said many times. officer and the other, Dr. Wilkens, When the number of children grew, helped with her meal program. Madame Samson feeding one of a larger location was secured. With the With Madame Samson’s passing, the the neighborhood children. partnership with Outreach continues with Dr. Wilkens. food, and medical oversight. The goal is As a boy, he was sponsored to bring them to health in three to six by the Outreach education months. This approach ensures the avail- program and now as a medical able dollars help the neediest children. Dr. professional, collaborates with Wilkens continues to reflect the passion the clinic staff. He focuses on and dedication to helping others that his those children with moderate mother instilled in all her children. to severe malnutrition, provid- When learning of Madame Samson’s ing nutritional supplements, passing, Ralph Stewart, an Outreach Madame Samson with board member, said, “She was an amaz- Bishop Cote several years ago. ing woman. She really lived out Gospel values. I feel blessed to have known her.” Bishop Toussaint thanks Outreach supporters t the Outreach to Haiti Gala, The outside because the rectory was Most Reverend Erik Toussaint, Aux- so badly damaged. iliaryA Bishop of Port-au-Prince, presented Outreach’s donors stepped a compelling picture of the challenges and up and helped the Haitians resolve of the Haitian people. He thanked during this difficult time. everyone for the great work that is being Bishop Toussaint said, “In done by Outreach to Haiti. 2010 Haiti experienced a great Bishop Toussaint has a long history with earth quake. In 2017, I am our organization. From 2000 to 2004, he asking you to experience a was pastor of the parish of Fonds-Bap- ‘heart quake.’ Let your heart tiste, an Outreach twin. When the 2010 tremble for all who suffer earthquake struck, he was pastor of the throughout the world, espe- Cathedral in Port-au-Prince and cially the people of Haiti.” Rev. Chris Pappas, Bishop Toussaint and Rev. Gerry Kirby witnessed the death of Archbishop Serge He expressed gratitude for all Miot and Vicar General, Monsignor the ways Outreach is helping: “I don’t just applaud you because of Charles Benoit, along with many others providing medical care; sponsoring 200 the money you give; rather I applaud who died that day in the cathedral and students in elementary, secondary, trade you because of the love in your hearts… chapel. He worked tirelessly to get the schools and universities, and supporting you serve others in love and solidarity as injured to hospitals and emergency parishes and the Archdiocese of Port-au- witnesses of the Gospel.” centers, often going hungry and sleeping Prince through the twinning program. 2 | FALL 2017 | espwa www.outreachtohaiti.org Immersions are key to understanding the magnetism of Haiti or many years, Outreach has “There truly are many sides to organized immersion trips that Haiti, and I was most touched by Fprovide volunteer and cultural encounters the hope I saw visiting Peace- for international visitors. As the word CYCLE. While most all are famil- immersion suggests, our goal is to offer iar with the hunger and poverty of the traveler a variety of diverse experi- Haiti, PeaceCYCLE models a way ences that will allow them to see more to not only recycle but also provide than just the poverty. jobs that bring dignity and a sense For example, one of the newer stops of community. You could see the added to our itinerary is a visit to Peace- pride on the faces of the workers CYCLE (www.peacecycle.com). This as we toured their operation. It small start-up organization repurposes gave me hope for Haiti, a small yet discarded plastic water bags into usable powerful way to combat poverty Visitors share a meal at the Mission House. bags, totes, and other items that are then and recycle at the same time.” sold. Victoria Wormell, a first-time student in the program, hopes to have her traveler from Connecticut, was among What the eye does not see, teenager share her experience. those PeaceCYCLE impressed. Here is “ She says, “Haiti has so much to offer, what she had to say: the heart does not feel” and I hope to bring my daughter on an (Haitian proverb) immersion trip in February 2018 so she can experience it for herself. I hope she gains a true understanding of the magne- They visited PeaceCYCLE on their tism of Haiti, all of its many facets—not first day. What followed was volunteer- just the poverty—but also to learn how ing at Mother Theresa’s hospital for we can help facilitate change. I want her children and Arc En Ciel an orphanage to see the richness of the countryside, and in the countryside, a visit to the Haitian the peoples’ faithfulness to God which I National Museum and much more.