To begin, I want to say THANK YOU for partnering with me through prayer, finances, and encouragement! As I write, I'm sitting in my kitchen across from my sweet neighbor boy. We picked cherries, made juice, and are enjoying it now as he does his homework. This morning, my other dear friend came over to help us catch up on order due laundry, after two other neighbors offered to carry the water I fetched from our community pump. I tell you what, Church, there is so much beauty and agape love in my neighborhood!
Today, though, I want to take some time to share with you a need in my community. I have a friend, named Claudi, who loves the Lord. Last year, he stepped out in faith and obeyed God's calling on his life to educate the underprivileged in a nearby village. See, in Haiti, there is no public education, nor is it cheap! Many children in the village of Mango are unable to reach their intellectual potential, due to their financial need. Claudi, along with 4 volunteers, started a small, free, Christian school. Claudi currently has 33 students enrolled, from preschool to 6th grade. At 21 years of age, Claudi humbly serves as the school's founder and director. Last Thanksgiving, with the help of New Vision Ministries, I was able to donate some books and supplies to his school, but there remains a great need.
Unfortunately, due to their need for paid work, 2 teachers have abandoned the ministry, leaving Claudi and 2 others to run the show. They meet in an unfinished, roofless house, with nothing but a chalkboard and barely enough bench space for all of the students. Claudi previously purchased uniforms for his students, out of pocket. It's custom, in Haiti, for uniforms to be individually purchased and worn, and Claudi understood the importance of enabling his students to do the same. Through the provision of uniforms, these beautiful children of God are given a symbol of their value, belonging, acceptance, and self-respect. Claudi is installing within them a healthy, much-needed pride, and that's beautiful.
The school year ends in 3 months, and another year of faith will begin in October, Lord-willing. Claudi's vision is to eventually be able to accept 100/150 students, as there is still much educational need in Mango. In order to reach this goal, he will need to hire 5-6 professors.
God has laid it on my heart to partner with Claudi in his Mango ministry. Though there are many potential expenses, the two primary financial needs are monthly teacher salaries (in order to ensure consistent and devoted workers) and student uniforms. An average monthly teacher salary is around $100us. As typical, custom-made Haitian uniforms can become pricey, I would love to provide the children with bulk-printed polo shirts as a beautiful alternative. My prayer is that the vision God's laid on my brother Claudi's heart would continue to grow and touch lives in the following school year.
* IF YOU ARE PRAYERFULLY INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OR LEARNING MORE ABOUT CLAUDI'S MINISTRY, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT
kourtneyjisaman@gmail.com
Together, we are the Body. Let's help Haiti help itself!
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