Earthquake Update

Since the catastrophic earthquake of January 12th, the students we support have not been able to return to school.  However, our partners at St. Clare’s have launched a special education program for children that takes place every afternoon before the food program meals are served.  With schools closed in Port-au-Prince and no date set for their reopening, this two-hour gathering is treasured by the hundreds of kids who attend.  Members of the education staff are teaching the children songs, providing materials for arts and crafts, and leading group discussions.  Lavarice Gaudin, our earthquake relief coordinator, told me the teachers choose one subject a day to explore with the children.  Topics have included the earthquake and related fears, courage, service to others, life skills and values.  The history of the food program is also shared as Lavarice feels it’s important for the children to know where the meals come from and who is involved in making them happen.  That includes all of you who provide the funding through the What If? Foundation and the extraordinary cooks who work many hours/day in the rectory kitchen.

Scholarship Program

Because there are so few public schools in Haiti, most children are unable to receive a free education. The What If? Foundation provides scholarships to pay for the tuition, uniforms, and books needed for school.

A donation of $250 for an elementary student and $350 for a high school student makes one year of school possible.

Currently, we are providing nearly 200 girls and boys with full scholarships to attend private elementary and high schools in Port-au-Prince.

“My goal is to be a doctor so that I can heal the sick. Doctors are so needed in our country because so many are suffering.” – Lorite Rosenie, 8th grade

We are also giving scholarships to 18 students who are attending college or technical school in Port-au-Prince. Nathalie Jeonnat is in medical school (photo on right).

Our goal is to increase funding so that all of the students we sponsor have the opportunity to continue their education after they graduate from high school.

“If you don’t know how to read or write, how can you become a president or a lawyer? We are going to school so that we can help our country, the people, and because in life everything is connected.”

– Sarah Auguste, age 16

See more pictures in our Photo Gallery.