“Thank You’s”

Thank you’s have a way of making my day, even in the middle overwhelming need.

Today I was feeling overwhelmed as I have had 37 requests for help with schooling from Village families for their children. And many others have requested loans to start businesses. I’ve had to say “no” to too many of them as we don’t have the funding.

Jean Peter lost both of his parents in the earthquake. He is twelve years old and only going into the second grade if he finds the funding. He lives with an aunt in the Village in a very crowded home. He and many of the others need to continue school now or they will become too old to go. Extreme poverty will be their future. Taisha is also twelve years old and she is a leader among her peers. She is going into the seventh grade but her parents tell me they can’t pay for their three children’s schooling as the fees have gone up so much. Taisha clearly has a chance to rise above her poverty with the help of a good education. In a society that earns an average of $2.00 per day or less, it is very difficult for them to pay the required $150.00 to $200.00 per child for school year let alone provide food and clothing. Often a family will spend half of their income educating their children and they are willing to do that as they see the importance of education. The children want to go to school and they understand that it is their only way out of a life out of extreme poverty. So it is hard to turn them down and overwhelming to hear one story after the other. In the midst of this, Mme Jean Pierre came by to thank me for sending her to the hospital and allowing her to get her surgery. She showed me her abdominal scar and thanked God for such a kindness. Being thanked isn’t necessary but it is appreciated. It made my day. P.S. If you haven’t seen the video of the village Merci’ de Dieu (Thanks to God), or if you are led to donate, please visit the website at Mercyintl.org.