Update on Cliff

Yesterday we drove to Carrefour to visit Cliff and pay his next semester tuition. The last time we were in Haiti, Cliff was hit by a motorcycle. Although he still has some pain, he seems to be doing better.  Carrefour is a heavily populated city near Port au Prince, near in miles, but far in driving because of road conditions and traffic.  Once in Carrefour, the roads are narrow and rocky, and accidents are common.  Recently, Cliff's brother was hit by a car, resulting in a broken leg. It's such a hard life for these families. 

The good news is - Cliff is doing well in school.

Cliff's story

Ten-year-old Cliff

When we met our "Love Haiti" students, they were living in a Tent City in Port au Prince.  Many had lived there for three years.   Since then, the government took back the land, offering the residents a small financial subsidy to move.  Most of the students and their families stayed in Port au Prince, but a few moved.  In October, we visited  all of the schools, but had not had a chance to visit their new homes yet.

This is the crossing to get into Carrefour from Port au Prince. 

We were directed in several different ways trying to find Cliff's home.  This was one of the neighborhoods we traveled through.

Ten-year-old Cliff moved with his family, four brothers, his mother and father, to Carrefour (very unusual for a Haitian child to live with both parents).  Carrefour is a "commune" of Port au Prince, but the drive makes it seem far. Carrefour is mostly residential with a population of 460,000 residents.

It was laundry day for many residents of Carrefour.

The day we went to Cliff's school the principal said that he had been hit by a motorcycle while walking to school.  She did not know how he was doing, so we set out looking for Cliff and his family.    It took awhile, but we finally found his home, and we were happy to see that he was OK.  He was not bedridden, but limping and in pain. Although he continues to be in some pain, he is attending school and  doing well academically.  

We searched for Cliff's brother who attends a different school.  School was letting out and we were greeted by happy faces.

Vision

Dr. Faye DeClue Young, a former classmate of mine, and an optometrist in the KC area volunteered to go to Haiti in June to check the eyesight of  "Love Haiti" students. NONE of these students, their siblings, or their parents have ever had their eyes examined. After sharing her intent with the director of Restoring Vision the director offered to send 400 pairs of glasses with us on this upcoming trip to Haiti next week. We received the glasses today and instructions on how we can test vision for those needing readers. I am so excited to see the response from the recipients of these glasses, and the reaction from the students who will have their eyes examined this summer. Thank you Dr. Faye Young and Restoring Vision. Look for upcoming stories and photos about improving vision in Haiti!

Minese

Minese is a senior in high school.

"Love Haiti" has enrolled 22 Haitian children in school. We have students from age 4 - 25, grade Kindergarten to 12th. Minese Felix is a senior. On our last visit, Oct., 2013, Minese asked us to tell supporters how grateful she is to them for giving her an opportunity. "I was always told that I would never be able to finish school because my family could not afford it." Education is not free to everyone in Haiti. Minese also promised that she would study her hardest so that she could pass exams and go to nursing school, where she wants to focus on women's health issues. One day, Minese will be able to help her family, her friends, and her country. Minese is setting a good example for the younger "Love Haiti" students. She is aware of her role.

Upcoming Mission Trip ~ January 2014

In January, 2014, a group is traveling to Haiti to pay school tuition for the second semester.  There are no "middle agents" in the Love Haiti project.  Volunteers pay their own way, and make tuition payments directly to the schools.  While there, the volunteers will meet with the students and their families, teachers, and principals.  If a child is needing some assistance in school, Love Haiti will attempt to provide that for them.  The students are required to pass their subjects.  They understand the consequences if they do not (they will not be sponsored).  Haitians value an education.  It is a precious commodity to them and their families.   

Prayers for Debbie, John, Sue  and Kyle who will be venturing to Haiti soon!

Notre Maison Children's Home Tutoring

 We exceeded our goal of enrolling 14 students in the 2013-14 school year.  In September, we enrolled 22 students.  These children were living in a Tent City in Port au Prince when we met them. They range in age from four to 25 (Kindergarten to 12th grade). 

In addition, we are sponsoring a tutoring program at Notre Maison Children's Home in Port au Prince.   Notre Maison houses 49 children.  The tutor, Gabriel, has a full-time job assisting the school children  with homework, and he teaches them English after school.  Children in Haiti who can learn English have a greater opportunity for employment than those who do not learn English.

This is Gabriel working with some of the children at Notre Mainson Children's Home.  The children call him Papa.  He is a kind and patient person, trained in sociology.  The children are so blessed to have him as their "papa."