By Karen Wienberg | Chair, Board of Directors
AS you have seen in each activity Report - and on our Facebook page (Little Footprints, Big Steps) if you also follow us there - our staff, our Programs, the challenges and the stunning developments are always in motion. Momentum through the strength and support you are such a huge part of. Summer of 2019 has been no exception. Each day – and often night – filled with little footprints that lead toward the big steps!
IN July Wathson was recognized for his continued diligence. Who is this young man? He is an enthusiastic, dedicated young man who works hard to improve his living conditions. He is the only child in a single-parent family. His mother has passed away and he lives with his elderly dad. Although he was only able to start school a few years ago when LFBS entered his life, he is now in 9th grade. Since the first day we provided him with the opportunity for education, Wathson has succeeded in his school work and exams, despite the fact that he has to walk more than 2 kilometers, down a mountainside for part of the way, to get to his school. He has also taken vocational training in window installation and is currently studying tailoring. He tends to his garden crops in his small mountainous community and is a great vetivert grower. The LFBS staff member guiding the Youth Leader group is creating a contract with each youth moving them toward a more independence and personal accountability.
MEDICAL care is a critical, basic need. July was a busy month for surgeries. In just a few weeks time, over 6 children had surgery – including a child with multiple physical handicaps one having a bullet removed! Our 3 medical students are back in Les Cayes for the summer and one is assisting LFBS at the hospital.
EARLY in the summer months we started having school uniforms made for the coming school year! We have 4 students in vocational sewing classes this summer. When we are able to purchase sewing machines, we will be able to hire our own youth and family members to make school uniforms in future and add that into the Small Business Program! Other youth are attending vocational training and apprenticeships, including learning masonry work and photography/videography – future LFBS activity Updates will include photos that young man has taken! We were able to hire some of our youth and family during summer construction projects including the Phase 1 security wall on our land and house building for one of youth and his family.
SUMMERTIME learning opportunities also included taking a number of Agronomy students and LFBS youth leaders to the Haven Foundation’s Agriculture Training Center. A wonderful opportunity to learn and be inspired! The agronomy students we are assisting with their University courses are creating a plan for the planting and harvesting of crops on the LFBS land that is not under construction. They will be implementing the plan and looking after the crops. Work experience and continued growth in action!
LFBS’ Head of Haiti Operations participated in a workshop held by the National Committee against Child Domesticity (Comite National de Luttee Contre le Travail des Enfants). A national plan is being prepared to raise awareness about laws surrounding child labour in Haiti, and the Committee is currently reaching each region of the country to gain input for that plan! LFBS staff and Operation’s Head also participated in a workshop facilitated by Bethany International focused on the need to support families to be, and remain, together in including various methods of doing this. LFBS was able to provide examples of successful reunification and steps toward family strengthening and measures toward healthy independence. The participants will meet again in December to discuss the progress, challenges and successes they have had.
A YOUNG man asked to talk with Morgan, LFBS founder and Head of Haiti Operations. He is a former street boy we've recently supported to begin an apprenticeship. He's previously not had a very easy life, already has a child, and has spent a day in prison. "I've been wanting to speak with you to say thank you," he told her, "because I'm starting to see myself differently. I can see myself having a different future." THIS is the reality you make possible!
MEMBERS of our Outreach staff traveled to rural Jeremie and held a training session for a group of parents and youth in the far southwest Grande Anse Region on Family Planning and assisted the parents currently in our Business Start-up program reinforce their businesses. Along with assisting with a workshop and bringing important supplies, they also began detailing preparations for school uniforms and supplies for the upcoming school year! What an incredible, hard-working team - so much is accomplished each day!
PLEASE share this Update with your friends and let us know if you have any questions. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all that you make possible. “Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one”. Thank you for being a catalyst in this journey of challenge, discovery and transformation.
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