Empowering Adult Handicapped Haitians

Congratulations to a new graduate from High School: Jean-Marc

By Janet C OFlynn | Vice-president, Friends of St. Vincent's

As you know, the non-profit Friends of St. Vincent's is dedicated to providing paths to autonomy for people in Haiti who live with disabling conditions.  We walk the walk by following the lead of our partner organization, CAHSAV.  The fourteen members of CAHSAV are adults who were brought to St. Vincent's Center, in Croix de Bouquets, Haiti, when they were children.  They have grown up together, relying on each other as family, and still live on the campus of St. Vincent's, which is a day school for children with blindness, deafness, reduced mobility.  Some children also live on the campus.  The adults of CAHSAV are now taking on the role of elders in the community of children, caregivers, and teachers. 

One of the important roles of CAHSAV is to choose one or two students at a time to mentor, as they reach the end of their ninth grade education (the highest level that St. Vincent's offers).  For several years, your contributions have gone to paying the high school tuition at a nearby school for the bright and capable student student whom they chose: Jean-Marc.  Jean-Marc has just graduated from High School !   The gifts you sent provided the tuition, as well as money for the uniform, and transportation.  Your gifts have been wisely used to give this young man access to further education and to a skilled job. He hopes now to go on for vocational training as a translator.

In the meanwhile, your gifts have also supplemented the meals at St. Vincent's, paid for a nurse to visit the campus to provide preventive care and triage in case of illness for the adults, and paid for internet for those adults who work from a computer.  These essentials give energy and a direction to the members of CAHSAV.  Additional funds come from the contributions of the adults who work for a salary: Samuel who is an accountant and president of CAHSAV; Kenson who is a vice-president of CAHSAV and works as a wheelchair repairman; Mackenson who is a musician and entertainer (shown in the photo with Jean-Marc). 

And now, a surprise!  We have found a carton or two of copies of a beautiful book from the 1990's with photos of the children at St. Vincent's, with a reflection or poem on each page in Kreyol, French, and English.  Some of the children in the book are now our colleagues, the adults of St. Vincent's!  We would like to send each of you a copy, without charge, because of who YOU are, and because you, of all people, will love them!  This is just a gift, not a fund-raiser.  If you would like a book, please send an email to dean@haitirehab.org, the email address of Janet O'Flynn, vice-president of CAHSAV.  Give us the address to which you would like the book sent.   Let us know if you want one copy or two!  (One to share!)  And, once again, THANK YOU!