Donor 05/11/2024

One Christmas, I included with my card a message: "With all the turmoil in the world, how do we keep hope? We look for the sparks, sparks of hope." For me, Haiti is one. Amid the gangs, human cruelty to one another and government upheaval I can imagine that the good people of Haiti must feel like there is no hope. With Haiti Scholars, there is that spark of hope for those who suffer most, the children. I was drawn to Haiti Scholars by my cousin, Nicole Waite, one of the kindest and wisest people I know. For me, as an educator, education is a such a critical key for hope and the Haiti Scholars program has provided that key. It is an all encompassing program where children are provided with uniforms, school supplies, health care, and education. Even more impressive, the support includes the child's entire family so when the child goes home, the spark is carried with him or her. Haiti Scholars provide water filters and now places of safety for the entire family. With the COVID epidemic or when it is unsafe to travel to Haiti, the Haiti Scholars did not stop. They provided professional develop to the teachers via the Internet and were able to get in supplies. When we write to our students, our messages are translated and get through to the children. I am so impressed.
So when I shared with my friends and family that I saw a spark in Haiti Scholars program, I announced that with every card I would donate a certain amount to Haiti Scholars. Now, I am sponsoring a beautiful girl in the same grade I used to teach. Other members of my family are also sponsors. The Haiti Scholars program is absolutely critical for the well being of a group of children in Mariani, providing them and the world a spark of hope, education, health and possibilities for a future.