I have wanted to highlight some specific areas of the ministry
for some time now. I would like to start
with the area of education, as it is definitely the part of MH that influences
the largest majority of people in both Haiti, and those in the United
States.
I will give you a quick overview of the role MH plays in
education for the area of Haiti we work with.
But please know that much of this information has been given to me by
way of Paul & Bethany Perissien.
They are our teammates here in Haiti, and work directly with 5 Haitian schools
in areas of inspection, direction over the new Christian academy, and
supervision of the sponsorship program.
Mission Haiti over-sees and partners with 5 Haitian schools
that range in proximity to our property from a 20 minute walk, to a 3-hour
hike. What this includes is the ability
for their students to be a part of the MH sponsorship program, as well as
general accountability and leadership for those in each school’s administration. Our sponsorship program involves having a
part of your yearly tuition paid for by an American Sponsor, school supplies
provided at the start of each year, one
meal a day, and de-worming medication twice a year. Leading the sponsorship program in Haiti is
Bethany Perissien. Her role involves
making sure our master list of students is as accurate as possible, American
Sponsors are aligned with students in need, and coordinating the student
sponsor pictures by taking over 2000 images to distribute in America.
On the US side of things, our Missions Coordinator, Amanda
Van’t Hul, also does a lot of the work for this program by coordinating
donations, communicating with those who sponsor the students, and getting
valuable information into the hands of people who simply want to know how they
can help.
These explanations of the sponsorship program seem pretty
simple…. But they are anything but simple.
It takes a lot of thought and effort to make sure a high level of
accuracy happens. Bethany and Amanda also
do all they can to keep our sponsorship program personal, and functioning with
the American sponsor’s ability to impact specific individuals.
Another key component for MH being involved in these schools
is the partnership our Director of Education, Paul Perissien, has with the
individual schools and their teachers.
He makes sure things like class lists are accurate, building and supply
needs are being heard, teachers are preparing well for class, and just a
general structure is being carried out from day-to-day. In the past 5 months, Paul has had the
ability to pass on these duties to two Haitian gentlemen, Samuel and
Jenae. These men are doing a great job
visiting 1 to 2 of the schools each day and then reporting back to Paul what is
going on. It has been really great to
see this transition go as well as it has.
Since Paul has been involved, he says it has been hopeful and rewarding
to see small improvements happening by way of teachers improving their lesson
plans, showing up everyday, as well as the parent’s willingness to pay the
small fee of tuition that is asked of them each school year.
A very exciting, and long time in coming part of MH’s
involvement with education is the new Jean Alexis Kluslin Christian Academy,
which is set to open September of 2015.
This has been a dream and vision of MH for a very long time. We are very close to being able to start
painting classrooms, making final decisions about curriculum, and even
beginning to register students. We also received
a huge answer to prayers…. actually two… last month, when two sisters from
Ontario, Canada decided to call Ti Riviere home next school year and be in our
preschool classrooms as the first English/French speaking teachers. Kristen and Cassie Kneufeld will be teaching
alongside Haitian, French speaking teachers in a co-teaching environment where
Christ will be at the center of every subject.
Paul Peressian’s role will be as Director of the Christian Academy,
where he will continue his tireless efforts of making sure the quality of
education being presented is very high, and most importantly,
Christ-centered. Paul has already put in
countless hours in the past year when presented by our CEO, Pam Plasier, to be
the Director of this new school. One key
aspect that is continually on Paul’s mind is how MH and JAKCA can better hold
the students, teachers and parents accountable for their children’s
education. We believe with a partnership where Biblical
truths are central, and a common desire for equipping the students how they can
best serve others; this next school year is going to be incredibly exciting.
As I have previously said in this post, so many people have
put in countless hours of work, and we know that there are many more ahead in
the final months leading up to the first day of class. Will you please pray for all whom this
involves? The construction crew
finishing the building, the students and their parents of both the new Academy
as well as the 5 other MH schools, Paul as Director, Cassie & Kristen as
they transition to Haiti and teach, as well as the Mission Haiti staff &
board as we do our best to support these efforts.
If you ever have any questions concerning our sponsorship
program, please be in contact with anyone at MH. We would love to help however we can.
Also, check out the Prayer Journal page.... long over due on an update to that.
Also, check out the Prayer Journal page.... long over due on an update to that.
