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An update on the works of the Haiti Education Foundation, Inc.
in St. Matthias Parish, Haiti |
|
Volume 13 No. 1 |
Homepage: www.haitifoundation.org |
Email: franland@ipa.net |
April 2005 |
Circle of Hope
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Haiti Education Foundation Circle Grows!
In 1981, with the help of her church, family and friends, Frances Landers raised enough money to build and
operate an 8-room school at Mercery Village and to set up three small schools in the nearby mountain community. This year,
over 13,000 children are enrolled in schools supported by the Haiti Education Foundation. The dreams of Haitian children are
becoming reality—they do have a future to look forward to because in education, there is hope.
The Haiti Education Foundation launched a new scholarship program last year for University students. Many HEF high
school graduates desire to attend college, learn a trade and return home to improve the community. Others desire to attend
the vocational school to learn a trade. How thrilling to see the process come full circle!
Just as all who have donated to the Haiti Education Foundation over the years have used their blessings to bless the
youth of Haiti, we are seeing the youth of Haiti use their blessings to bless Haiti's future.
Dear Brothers & Sisters
It is a miracle to see how deep is the love you have in your heart for our mission work in Haiti and especially for
your brother Jean-Wilfred Albert. I want to thank all those who were touched by my problem and especially those who have
sent letters of encouragement.
Let me share a little history I lived while I was in the hospital. The man I shared a room with was diagnosed with
pneumonia and low blood pressure. One day, I tried to approach him to make friends and let him know that God loves him.
When I started the conversation with him, he was really angry with God. He injured God, by saying that God is a liar and
that God is punishing him. I can tell you that the man did not accept his sickness. He was so angry with God that I left
him and went to my bed. I said to myself, "God is so good with all that he gives to us, but we love it more than we
love Him. God gave life to that man and he was so happy to enjoy his life that when he got sick, he got mad and blamed
God." The attitude of that man was an encouragement to me. I said to myself, "If men love life on this earth so
much where there are all kinds of bad things, I wonder what kind of life we are going to live in the Kingdom of God?"
After three days, I tried to approach the man again. I tried to let him know that God loves him and will never abandon
him in a bad situation. He said to me, "And what about you and your cancer?" I told him that I know God loves me
with my cancer. It is He who advised me to come to the United States for treatment. I told him that I am not afraid because
I am in good hands. God loves me so much that all decisions He will make with my cancer will be good for me.
Since that day, he became a little calmer and started to feel better. He was sent home. Before his departure, I told
him to remember always in his life that God loves him and that he has to walk in Jesus' path to find peace forever in his
soul.
It may happen that one day in our life, we will have to face some difficult moments. We have to be prepared now, not
tomorrow. It is important for all of us to keep communion with God so that we may have peace forever for our souls. If we
believe that God loves us so much that He died for us and if we trust Him, we will never feel hopeless during our life on
this earth.
We do not worship an adulterous GOD. Our GOD is a faithful GOD. If we keep on doing His will on this earth, there is
no sickness, no death, and no problem which can make Him abandon us. He is preparing a room for all of us so that we all
may be with Him in His house. AMEN!
Shalom!
Jean-Wilfrid Albert
Pere Albert Update:
In December of 2004, Pere Albert was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while visiting his
brother in New Jersey. He has received chemo treatments in New York and his test results are good. His plan
is to return to Haiti in April for a month, then come back to the U.S. for more chemo treatments in May.
Pere Albert has called upon Pere Irnel and his trusted assistant Ancy who have carefully tended to the
needs of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. We are thankful to God for these dedicated men who have stood
in the gap. |
Hope for Haiti
Annual Report 2004
| Balance Forward |
68,900 |
|
| Receipts |
570,850 |
|
| |
|
$639,750 |
| Disbursements: |
|
|
| Schools |
414,000 |
|
| Health Clinic |
6,000 |
|
| Higher Education |
18,000 |
|
Special Projects
(see itemized below) |
50,200 |
|
Construction Projects
(see itemized below) |
49,500 |
|
| |
|
537,700 |
Carried forward to scholarships
& future projects |
|
102,050 |
| |
|
$639,750 |
| Special Projects: |
| Milk |
9,500 |
| Disaster Relief |
9,000 |
| Individual Gifts |
3,300 |
| Vocational School |
5,000 |
| Poorest of the Poor |
3,000 |
Operating Expenses
(paid through donations
specifically designated
for this purpose) |
20,400 |
| |
50,200 |
| Construction Projects: |
| Operation Reaching Higher Dorm |
26,000 |
| La Moth School |
19,000 |
Front End Loader
(remaining balance) |
3,000 |
| St. John D'Arimate School |
1,500 |
| |
49,500 |
Despite political unrest, severe weather and devastating floods, the light of God's hope continues to shine
on the people in St. Matthias Parish. Your generous giving in 2004 made so much possible! Children continued going to
school during the uprising. Families who lost everything in the flooding received help in putting their lives back together.
Damaged schools were repaired and destroyed schools should be ready for school in September. A milk program was established
for young children and construction on a dorm for our older students began. Over 13,000 students were able to attend school
each day. Approximately 100 students studied at the vocational school and 35 attended "finishing school" or
university classes. AMAZING!!!!!!! We look forward to the future and what God has in store for the people of Haiti. Thank
you for your continued generous support.
Your Gifts . . . Changing Lives
Elementary and High Schools
We are now providing an education to over 13,000 Haitian children in our 36 elementary and 10 high schools. These
schools are fully staffed with Haitian principals, teachers, and teacher's aides. The elementary children benefit from a
full range of studies including reading, math, spelling and handwriting. High school classes include English, algebra,
science, grammar, analysis and language.
One scholarship—$55 per year
Vocational School
Following high school, students have the option of attending the vocational school in Cherident. Classes are offered
in sewing, music, art, auto mechanics, welding and electrical work. These classes enable the students to acquire skills so
that they can provide for their families. There are approximately 100 students participating in this program.
One scholarship—$120 per year
Operation: Reaching Higher
Upon completion of the HEF high school program in the mountains, students wishing to attend college must enroll in a
one-year "finishing school" program in Port-au-Prince. After graduating from this class, they are permitted to
enroll in college classes. At this time we have 10 in finishing school and 25 in University programs. Their areas of study
include agronomy, education, computer science, management, engineering, medicine and theology. We have 4 students enrolled
in the nursing program operated by the Medical Benevolence Foundation.
One scholarship—$2,000 per year
Milk Program
A program has been established to provide milk for all kindergarten through 2nd grade students in St. Matthias
Parish schools. Our goal is to reach all 36 elementary schools.
One year—$10 per student
Construction Projects / Special Projects
Two new construction projects are underway. They are the rebuilding of a school in Lavallee that was completely
destroyed in the May flooding and construction of a dorm for our "finishing school" and university students in
Port-au-Prince. This dorm is located in Leogane near Hospital St. Croix.
Work continues on the two schools in Jacmel being built by Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, North Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina.
Medical Clinic
A Haitian doctor travels from Port-au-Prince each Saturday to see patients in our clinic. Visiting medical teams
also use the clinic on their mission visits. Plans are being made to expand and refurbish the clinic facilities.
Haiti Education Foundation T-Shirts
Our t-shirts are here! Order yours today. Support the Haiti Education Foundation and encourage other people to learn
about HEF. These red t-shirts are made of high-quality, preshrunk, 100% cotton. The back of the shirt features the picture
shown here (in bright colors), approximately 12" x 12" in size. Each shirt front displays the Haiti Education
Foundation logo and the web address in black. Shirts come in adult sizes small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large. The
cost per shirt is $15 plus $2.50 shipping (total $17.50).
Mail your order to:
Haiti Education Foundation
c/o Frances Landers
1801 West Block Street
El Dorado, AR 71730
If you would like to view the shirt design in color, visit our web site at: www.haitifoundation.org.
www.haitifoundation.org
Visit our website and pass the word . . . We have updated and added to our web site. Special thanks to
Suzanne Werkema of West Chester, Pennsylvania, who volunteered her time and talent to freshen up our appearance. We have
corresponded with several people who have found HEF through the internet:
- A US military soldier serving in Haiti following the uprising, desiring to help make a difference.
- Donors concerned following the severe flooding in May.
- An entrepreneur wanting to support teenage girls in Haiti by giving a percentage of her sales.
- Teachers wanting to teach their students the joy of giving.
We are truly amazed at the way God has used our web site to spread the HEF news!
Heartbeat of HEF
- In December 2004, a group of five from Motorola Corp. in Florida ran in a marathon to raise money for HEF. They raised
$2,000!
- Krista Lovell from Nashville, Tennessee, created a HEF board game for her class at Bellevue Presbyterian Church.
Children are given the chance to "walk in another child's shoes" as they navigate their way along the winding
path from their hut to their school. Each path is a different color and follows a different path full of "blessings,"
like a glass of milk or a pair of shoes and "challenges," like a lost book or a missing goat, that reflect the
life of a child in Haiti. The game stresses the importance of the ministry of helping the children in Haiti.
- Frances Landers and her daughter-in-law, Lynn, attended the World Mission Conference at the First Presbyterian Church
in Gainesville, Georgia. They were able to share photos of the Gainesville Church project—St. Joseph D'Arimate—taken on
their trip to Haiti in February 2004.
- Donations of over $19,000 were given in the months following the devastating floods in Haiti. These monies were used
to help rebuild lives of families who lost everything. Repairs to schools damaged in the flooding has begun.
- People from
multiple churches and organizations will be traveling to Haiti in April to do onsite planning for refurbishment of the
medical clinic in Cherident. This will include an addition to the present clinic and work on the water supply. A team of
doctors will follow up with a medical assessment of the villagers to give more guidance in developing the clinic. If you
are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, please contact Don and Martha Miller at martha.a.miller@sbcglobal.net.
- Floresta continues to work fervently with the people in St. Matthias Parish. This organization provides loans, teaches
people about agriculture, encourages reforestation, helps families to build cisterns, and shares the love of Jesus. HEF is
so fortunate to join hands with Floresta in giving the people in St. Matthias Parish hope.
Dear Ones,
As you read about the progress in our Mountain Parish in Haiti, I hope you are asking, "WHAT CAN I DO?"
We need 13,000 scholarships for this school year. Fifty-five dollars (sixteen cents a day) will feed and
educate a child in Matthias Parish.
We need sponsors for our college students. Two thousand dollars will support a young person for a whole school
year. Could this be your Family Christmas Gift?
We need MILK for the little ones who have walked three hours to school without breakfast. Start a MILK FUND
in your CIRCLE, your ROTARY CLUB or at your KITCHEN TABLE. FIVE CENTS = ONE GLASS OF MILK.
We need your PRAYERS. Give thanks to GOD that He is in control and HIS PLAN is WORKING.
Share this newsletter with a FRIEND and join the TEAM!!!
Frances Landers |
Board Members
Frances Landers, President Mike Landers, Secretary Mary Jo Oliver, Treasurer
Daniel Loomis, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, El Dorado, AR
Mike Murphy Betty Bollard Susan Turbeville—ex-officio member
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
300 East Main Street
El Dorado, AR 71730
"Your generosity brings God's people from darkness to light. Light shines in the darkness and the darkness
did not overcome it. Thank you for being His light in Haiti."
Père Albert
| TUITION: |
| One School Year |
$55 |
| OTHER NEEDS: |
| Shoes |
$10 |
| School Uniform |
$7 |
| School Textbook |
$5 |
| Creole Bible |
$4 |
| Milk (One Year) |
$10 |
HAITI EDUCATION FOUNDATION
| ©
Haiti Education Foundation, Inc. E-mail:
franland@ipa.net.
Photos courtesy of Frances Landers and visiting mission teams. |
|
