Haitians Helping Haitians - I like that!

Larry and I have decided to support the good work of one of our advanced English students, Wilnor, who has been instrumental along with his wife, in forming a non-profit to enable needy children to attend school in the villages of Fontuna and Latanier on La Gonave.  

We thought it would be of interest to some of you!  

Wilnor's wife is in my beginner English class and is a nurse at World Vision.  She saw first hand how some children fell through the cracks when others were given opportunity for school by the large non-profits.  Wilnor and his wife joined another couple to form G.A.S. in the hopes that they could make a difference in the lives of some of these less fortunate children.  They themselves are sponsoring several children and the others on the board of G.A.S. are also sponsoring children.

G.A.S. - Groupe Action Scolaire, (Haiti)

Providing children with schooling for a better future

G.A.S is a charitable organization registered with the town of Anse-a-Galets.  It was founded on August 4, 2010, by two members of the Salvation Army church of La Gonave.

What is the main purpose of G.A.S.?

The main purpose of G.A.S. is to provide for needy children's education, particularly those in the far distant areas on the island of La Gonave.

What kind of children does G.A.S. involve?

G.A.S. involves children who are the right age to go to school but cannot because of the precarious economic situation of their parents.  G.A.S. also involves children whose parents are disabled, deceased or vulnerable.

How does G.A.S. operate?

To integrate children into the program, agents of G.A.S. go to Fontuna village and Latanier village and inquire of the school principals which children need financial support.  Children are selected for the program based on the need and the available funding.  Before classes reopen for the next term, the school fees are paid.

Who pays school fees?

Parents are responsible to pay the school fees for their children.  World Vision and Compassion, Int., provide for some of those families who otherwise could not pay.  There remain too many children without the opportunity to attend school because of no sponsorship.  Currently, several concerned Haitians are sponsoring children through G.A.S.

How can you become involved?

If you have the desire to help one or more of these children, it doesn't take much.  For example, the annual fees at the Wesleyan school in Fontuna village are $112.50 US per child for all grades.  And at the Wesleyan school in Latanier village, the fees are $50 US per child in first, second and third grades;  and, $75 US per child in fourth, fifth and sixth grades.  

Please contact G.A.S. at gashaitiedu@yahoo.fr ( or let Larry or me know of your interest ) for more information and to join in sponsoring a child.

And, pray for this group of concerned Haitians who are willing to get involved and do what they can to share what they have to help those less fortunate than they are.

Home Sweet (Haitian) Home

Often one of the nice things about going away is coming back!  That’s the way it has been at the Wesleyan mission on La Gonave.  We anticipated good reunions with our dear co-workers on the compound – but our expectations fell far short as to the welcome-back we would receive from our Haitian friends.

Madam Samy - a Haitian woman who works for the mission and also cooks and cleans for Larry and me once a week - spent three days preparing our home for our return.  Her cleaning included removing everything from the kitchen cabinets and wiping them out; washing the curtains in each room; taking books and articles from the tall bookshelves, then cleaning the shelves and wiping down the books.   Then, she washed clothes and linens that were left in the wake of our surprise and rapid departure, folded them and put them away!  And those things were just for starters!  When we walked in there was a wonderful fragrance of CLEAN! 

And…..fresh flowers in each room! 

Then, she came around today to welcome us back in person to the tune of huge hugs and kisses on each cheek!  Then came the question overflow – How was the trip?  How was the family?   How was Hannah?    How were the rest of the grandchildren?…..and on and on.  I was barely holding my own with the creole, she was shooting inquiries so fast and furiously!

Then, the sailboat captain, TiMet, who is notoriously aloof and very selective whom he talks to, tapped me on the shoulder as we came across yesterday, and asked how the trip home was, how the family was, and the grandchildren, and welcomed us back!  And, as we reached La Gonave, Joel, the young man who is a grounds keeper at the compound and who also goes to the market for us met us at the wharf and came up to me and gave me a great big hug and said welcome back – then asked about the family! 

It goes on and on!   The cooks in the guest house, cleaning ladies there, some of our students who Larry met on the street – all so very interested in our time away and how the family is!   It has been remarkable!

With Haitians, this seems to be the norm.  Our Haitian friends relate to all returning compound folks in this manner - not just us.

We should have anticipated it.   Taking the TME for each other and for us, for relationships - it's the Haitian way.  It's an everyday thing.

We fast-movin', get 'er done yesterday, high-tech Americans can learn some things about how we prioritize our time!

PS – the 20” of rain courtesy of tropical storm Isaac has greened up this island and it looked beautiful from the sea as we returned yesterday.  Fortunately, damage was minimal and the deep ravine through the middle of town is now filled in!  Thank you for your prayers during that time of concern.