What If? Blog
Dec 8th, 2011
This was a special week for me, as I had the opportunity to speak with two groups of students about Haiti and the work of the What If? Foundation. On Monday, I met with cultural anthropology students at Merritt College in Oakland. They had just finished reading my book, On That Day, Everybody Ate, so they were eager to hear how the programs are doing today and to discuss the injustices that continue to oppress the Haitian people. Then on Wednesday, I met with 5th to 8th graders at Park Day School, also in Oakland, as part of their annual CARE
Week – “CARE” standing for “Campaign for Acceptance, Respect and Empathy”. Each year Park Day School chooses a topic or theme to explore school-wide during their CARE Week. This year’s theme is “How Can I/We Make a Difference?”, a topic close to my heart. I was touched by the students’ attentiveness, compassion, and eagerness to fundraise to help the programs we fund.
Dec 1st, 2011
Click here to read an article which features an interview with the What If? Foundation’s Executive Director, Caitlin Szymanski. It offers a chance to learn more about Caitlin, and What If?’s work in Haiti. We feel so fortunate to have her sharing her incredible talents, skills and passion with What If?.
Nov 23rd, 2011
Dear Friends of the What If? Foundation,
Not long ago, I was talking with Lavarice Gaudin, our Program Liaison in Haiti, and he said something simple and profound that I’ve been reflecting on ever since:
“The best thing we can do for this world is to care for each other.”
With so much suffering taking place in Haiti and across the globe, 
I find myself overwhelmed at times by the magnitude and injustice of it all. And then I go back to Lavarice’s words, which remind me of the importance of reaching out, however we can, in a spirit of love and solidarity.
As the second anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti approaches, I am touched and inspired by the caring each one of you has shown by being on this journey with us. Each meal served to a hungry child, each school scholarship given to a young person eager to learn, each summer camp or after-school activity, would not be possible without the compassion and generosity of you, our donors.
And now, as the year comes to a close, we reach out to you for your support to help ensure that the programs we fund in the Ti Plas Kazo neighborhood of Port-au-Prince continue. Together with our Haitian partners, step by step, with respect and heart, we remain committed to supporting the children. Every dollar you send is appreciated and used carefully to provide nourishment and educational opportunities during these difficult times.
As many of you know, we are moving forward with plans to build a school for impoverished children and a kitchen/cafeteria on the land the What If? Foundation purchased last year in the Ti Plas Kazo neighborhood. This building project, now in the architectural drawing stage, will offer the programs a permanent, safe location and room to grow into the future.
But right now it is the food and education programs that need your support. I hope you will consider making a year-end contribution to help us ensure that the meals keep flowing and that children can continue to benefit from all the education programs in 2012.
Thank you for your caring, your continued support, and your prayers. They are beautiful expressions of love in action.
“Little by little…”,
Margaret
Margaret Trost
Founder, What If? Foundation
Nov 17th, 2011
Our Haitian partners have started an Economic Development Club (EDC), an innovative program through which 67 students (ages 7 to 15) in the Ti Plas Kazo neighborhood are learning communication and leadership skills through presentations, discussions and debates about entrepreneurial business issues. The children meet with members of the What If? Education Team each weekend to hear presentations on subjects like “Problem-solving in business and in life”. The students then break into small teams to discuss how they might manage real-life scenarios related to the day’s topic, and to present proposed solutions in organized debates.
When elections were proposed for leadership positions in the club, over 50 of the young students chose to 
run for office, and each one of them delivered a campaign speech. A 12-year-old girl was elected EDC president, and she works closely with the other 5 students who were elected to leadership positions. (See photo of the whole EDC leadership team on the right.) The students participating in this new program are all getting the chance to practice presentation, collaboration, leadership, creative thinking and other useful skills through this process.
Our partners are excited to see discussions and debates continuing beyond the weekend meetings, and engaging other members of the community. Their vision is that this club will, over the long term, help stimulate entrepreneurial business development.
Nov 10th, 2011
In addition to tutoring, computer, English and life skill classes, students
can also now take dance and music classes at the After-School Program, and they love them. Dozens of young people are learning how to choreograph and perform Salsa and Caribbean dances. Others are learning about singing and how to read, write, and play their own music.
The dance teacher, Mona, is excited to see the confidence of so many of the boys and girls grow as they perform for each other in class and for others at community events. Max, the music teacher, says his classes are also nurturing self-esteem. He is delighted to see so much joy and enthusiasm in his classes, and is amazed at the talent that is emerging.
Week – “CARE” standing for “Campaign for Acceptance, Respect and Empathy”. Each year Park Day School chooses a topic or theme to explore school-wide during their CARE Week. This year’s theme is “How Can I/We Make a Difference?”, a topic close to my heart. I was touched by the students’ attentiveness, compassion, and eagerness to fundraise to help the programs we fund.
