Service Club Supports Children in Haiti

In response to a request from Sanford parent Helen Duzy, Tom Whipple, mathematics instructor and co-faculty sponsor of the club, has been working with students to organize a clothing and school supply drive.

Duzy supports an initiative of Delaware health practitioners who are Notre Dame graduates and who have formed an organization called the Notre Dame Haiti Program (NDHP). They  travel to Haiti at least twice each year to serve the health needs of the poor. Their work has taken them into a newly founded school, Ecole L’Erudite de Leogane, whose needs are great. As explained by Jean Marc Brissau, the school’s founder and NDHP director in Haiti, “There are many unfortunate kids of Leogane who wouldn’t benefit from an education... without this type of assistance. Your support of the school has increased its reputation, even with its young age. Many people want to work at the school and many parents are starting to register their children for the upcoming school year.”

Only 50% of Haiti’s children attend school, and only 30% of those students make it beyond the fifth grade. As a result, Haiti has a 40% illiteracy rate. Efforts, such as the opening of Ecole L’Erudite de Leogane, are crucial to the future of the country.  The current student body of 78 students, ranging from ages 7–16, are fully funded so they can focus on their education and not worry about fees, are served breakfast and a hot meal during day, and take classes in Creole, French, and English. Support from groups such as Sanford’s Service Club are vital to the success of this endeavor.

Since this is the time of year when many families are making purchases for new school clothing for their children, Service Club members are asking Sanford parents and students to drop off gently used clothing items to Sanford Hall on Wednesday, September 12- Friday, September 14 from 7:15–8:00 AM or from 3:00–3:45 PM. Additionally, much needed school supplies can also be delivered at this time. Club members will be on hand to help with the collection of items and will make sure the delegation has everything prior to their next visit, which is scheduled for this winter.

Those who wish to participate by making cash donations can do so at the times listed. Large duffel bags are purchased from these monetary contributions, which are used to load the clothing and supplies for delivery to Haiti. Once the bags are emptied, the duffel bags are given to local orphanages or outlying villages, as nothing goes to waste in this very needy, and extremely appreciative, country.  
 
NDHP believes in this quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Sanford is well known for its commitment to community service, and it is not surprising that the 2018–19 school year is starting with an admirable, global initiative. Please make every effort to support the Service Club and ensure that they send lots of school clothing and supplies—a tangible sign of Sanford love—to this fledging school in Haiti. You will help to change the world of Haitian students.

If you would like to see how NDHP and the people of Haiti are working together, check out this YouTube video.