A Letter from Wadson

Bonjour. My name is Wadson Michel , and I am a psychotherapist, a kite
flyer, a community organizer, an educator, a volunteer with the Healing
Hands for Haiti medical team, and a grieving Haitian. I would like to share
with you a special story.

Thomas began his second year in school this year. He is 17 years old. He is so much older than his classmates that they call him “tonton”, which means uncle. But Thomas would not have been able to start his education at all were it not for a very special school.

The school started outdoors under a blue tarp. My friend Jean Marie Merci and his wife were unemployed, but as teachers, they believed in the transformative power of education. They convinced four other unemployed teachers to help them start a school. The group devoted skills, energy, and time to gain parents’ trust trough effective pedagogy, even though there was no tuition for the first year and they received no salaries. They hoped to create a job for themselves by the next year. When I visited two years ago, I was moved by their devotion to empowering the children. I donated my entire savings to add two rooms to Jean Marie’s home to create an indoor school. Last year I visited the school and saw students in uniforms, reading, writing, and actively engaged. Their conditions were so poor, yet a huge step from the blue tarps. They looked hungry, disheveled, yet there was an award‐wining smile on each face as they sang enthusiastically the welcome song for me. This time I was only able to afford new black boards.

I told the 17 year old 2nd grader the story of Toussaint Louverture, who learned to read at 40, and freed the Haitian slaves. I told also the story of the American slave Frederick Douglas who taught himself how to read, and later became an ambassador. Then I told him that when he becomes a doctor, I will be old, and I would want him to be my doctor. One week ago, the school collapsed in the earthquake. People everywhere wish to do something to help Haiti. Here you are being offered a chance to help a small community directly, and give the gift of education to children who need it the most.
Because education is fundamental, and sustainable development is achieved through educating young people, please help me rebuild a better school for these children. Every dollar will go toward the school and you collectively will receive detailed information every step of the way.

Anpil men, chay pa lou. Many hands make the load lighter.

Embrace this moment and make a donation. I truly value your generous support.

Yours in unity,
Wadson Michel