Mission Moments: Haiti
Grading the 2024-2025 school year and dreaming about the future
By Gilbert Lindor, Kingdom worker, Haiti
Several children and teachers were interviewed about Climbing For Christ New Generation’s most notable activities this school year, their ideas for the upcoming school year, activities they will be doing during the school year, and more.
Vedith.
IN KALIMET, Vedith, who will be 12 years old and is in the last grade in our school there, said: “If C4CNG can’t offer the eighth grade, I probably won’t be able to continue my studies, since my parents don’t have enough financial resources to support me (to go away to school). But during the school year, I plan to continue studying so that if I have to go to eighth grade, I can ensure that I do well.”
When asked if she has ever gone to class without eating, she replied, “Not all the time, but sometimes.”
She knows how to pray and dance, but she also dreams of being a nurse or a doctor.
Despite the challenges faced by gangs and their many consequences, the children haven’t stopped dreaming.
Derimene.
Derimene, the mother of a girl in the Kalimet school, fled gangs in Gantye and joined C4CNG just a month ago to teach preschool. She responded to a question about how she felt about seeing 12- to 15-year-olds in preschool by saying, “It’s surprising to see so many children this age in my classroom, but I understand it’s not just the parents’ negligence but also the country’s hardship. Parents are also careless, since sometimes I don’t see my students, and when I ask, they tell me they’re working with their parents.”
Montilas Batime
Similarly, Montilas Batime, another teacher who fled Gantye because of the gangs, was asked about his experience with C4CNG. He said, “I think having C4CNG in Kalimet is more than a miracle. Nothing like this has ever been seen before, although I can see that they don’t have enough resources, but they have the will.”
He said in another question about how he would rate C4CNG on a scale of 10: “Eight out of 10.”
He believes it’s important to start re-enrollment early so we can identify older children who enroll in first grade and try to create an apprenticeship program with them during the vacation and send them to second grade.
It’s an interesting idea, but it should be prayed for and analyzed.
All of our children and parents there want to see continued grade increases in Kalimet (where we have 250 students in grades 1-7) and would love to receive a plate of food while they are in school.
Both expectations are important; many of our children who reach fourth and fifth grade have not been able to continue their studies for the same reason.
I have even tried to contact some organizations that distribute food, but it remains a challenge.
Joseph Savaky.
IN MAJON, Joseph Savaky, 16, who attended fourth grade (the last grade there for 107 students), said: “I thank God for the school I work here. I had never been to school before.”
He also expressed on several occasions that he came to class hungry, saying, “I would be happy to receive a hot meal.”
Wilfrid.
Wilfrid, an orphan boy completing fourth grade at Majon School, said: “One of the things I liked most this school year was the school supply distribution.” He is a very intelligent boy; he wants to be a teacher, and like him, many of the children in the communities we serve dream of having a bright future.
To be honest, if I had the chance, I would help them. But I can’t. I share all of this with you so you can understand more about the reality.
Majon is one of the communities that show love and interest in our work there and the spirit of collaborating for growth. Both children and parents dig and carry sand with smiles on their faces for possible construction projects.
Majon schoolchildren carrying sand dug for the building of a separate school. The Majon school has been meeting in the church. There are more than 100 students in grades 1-4.
Each of our teachers in Majon gave C4CNG a 10 out of 10.
Nadege Justama and Elon Riel said the 10 was not only because C4CNG fulfills all its promises, but also because it helps them grow with bi-monthly teacher workshops so they can become better teachers. Things we couldn't acquire elsewhere.
IN BOUCAN PIERRE, C4CNG’s Jean Ronald did interviews and said parents, the 300 students, and teachers there want the same thing as the communities mentioned above.
One of our teachers there also said, “Seeing so many older children in first grade is painful, but I still went to school late, and since they were very patient with me, I am patient with them, too.”
Cristian Jeanbatha, with 15 years of experience in teaching, loves the work and he sends a “thank you” to each person who has contributed to make these first 10 months a blessing for Boucan Pierre.
I, likewise, cannot express enough gratitude to each of my brothers and sisters and faithful friends who have been supporting me, and each of these communities. Nothing we do would be possible without you. Thank you for being a source of hope for others. 
Gilbert, who has completed medical school in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, first attended school when he was 10 years old and Climbing For Christ built a church that doubled as a school in the mountain village of Gentilhomme.
The final Word
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, he is God, the faithful God, keeping covenant and lovingkindness to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” – Deuteronomy 7:9
Helping hands
To support the work Climbing For Christ’s New Generation (C4CNG) is doing with nearly 600 students in villages where there were no schools until Climbing For Christ funding arrived, send donations to Climbing For Christ, P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616. Or CLICK HERE and give through PayPal. In Canada, make cheques payable to The Great Commission Foundation, and on the memo line add Climbing For Christ CANADA. Mail your support to: The Great Commission Foundation, P.O. Box 14006, Abbotsford, BC V2T 0B4. Or CLICK HERE to give online.
20