ABOUT HAITI EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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HISTORY

In 1977, Dr. and Mrs. Gardner Landers of El Dorado, Arkansas heard about the desperate medical needs of the Haitian people. They volunteered to help and eventually developed a routine of making two trips a year to the impoverished island. Together with their surgical team, they provided sight-renewing surgery and eyeglasses to thousands of people.

Then one day in 1981, Frances Landers overheard Father Jean-Wilfrid Albert, Haitian chaplain at the Presbyterian-Episcopal Sainte Croix Hospital in Léogane, reluctantly tell a heartbroken child that there was no room for her in the mission school. That incident inspired Mrs. Landers to do something to ensure that the priest could say yes to children asking for a chance to learn.

Armed with photos of several hopeful children, Mrs. Landers returned to El Dorado and raised enough money through her church, her family, and her friends to build and operate an 8-room school at Mercery village and to set up 3 small schools in nearby mountain communities.

From one person's effort and one small school in 1981, the Haiti Education Foundation has grown to involve churches and individuals in states from Florida to Oregon. Over 12,040 children and young adults are enrolled in the 34 elementary schools, 7 high schools, and vocational school scattered among the mountains of Haiti's peninsula.

PRIESTS-IN-CHARGE

Pere Desire of St. Matthias Parish and Pere Vil of Ascension parish provide guidance and leadership for the schools. They tirelessly serve and encourage the parishioners and students in their respective parishes.

The work of the Haiti Education Foundation is further enhanced by the OCDES Board, a group of men who volunteer their services in the areas of administration and construction. This board was mentored and activated by Pere Albert prior to his death in 2005.

RAYS OF LIGHT

At the beginning of each school year, eager children wait expectantly to be granted the opportunity to enroll in one of our schools. these children know that education is the avenue leading out of the darkness of illiteracy and poverty into the light of life in Jesus Christ. One child attending school can bring education to all the members of a family. In this way, one $55 scholarship is multiplied, enabling other family members the opportunity to learn to ready and write. From one small light, many rays shine forth.