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Peace and Justice

1/14/2012

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Tomorrow, Sunday, January 15, is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday [observed as a federal holiday on Monday, January 16]. In essence, he was, and continues to be, a peace-builder. Some considered him a dissident –
indeed, a radical. I happen to agree – the Rev. Dr. King WAS radical in calling for social justice and peace at that time.

What does this have to do with Haiti? Superficially, the two are connected by the calendar - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day comes just a few days after the two-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti [January 12, 2010]. The man, the place, however, share themes of social justice and peace.

Peace and justice. These two ideas, concepts, attributes, values have infected my spiritual life. Each day, I endeavor to strengthen peace-building skills and to actively participate in the call for justice. As I continue to learn about the vision of education Jeanette Felix, founder of Children in Need Haitian Project, has for L'Espinasse School and the people of Haiti, I find myself drawn to its threads of justice and peace.

It is accepted knowledge that education is the way out of poverty. Education is not a given in Haiti. There are numerous hurdles on a journey for education. Before the earthquake, Haiti’s education system was dysfunctional:
        -- About 50% of school-age children were enrolled in school.
        -- About 20% of schools were public. 
        -- Although public schools are free, families struggled to pay for uniforms, textbooks and supplies. 
        -- There were not enough public schools to accommodate the children of Haiti.
        -- Few schools were located in remote areas.
        -- Private schools are too expensive for the poor.
        -- The quality of education was poor, as one third of teachers have 9 years of education [i.e., if you can 
            read and write, and made it to high school, you can teach others to do the same]

After the earthquake, the school system was devastated. More than 3,000 schools were destroyed or damaged. Hundreds of teachers and thousands of students were killed. Even with schools reopening, less students are returning to school than were in school before the earthquake.

Two stats are stunning: 
45% of the Haitian population are children.
50% of the Haitian population is illiterate. 

If a child enrolls in school, it does not guarantee their ‘education.’ Learning how to read and write is not enough. When Haitian students complete 6th grade, they must pass an exam in order to advance to the upper grades to continue their studies. Most students do not possess the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the exams. If a student does not pass, they may repeat 6th grade and retake the exams. This process can repeat itself for several years. It is not uncommon to find 15-year-olds in a 6th grade classroom. If the exam proves too difficult to pass, students are, in a very real sense, stuck.

Enter Jeanette’s vision: L'Espinasse is the school that is the best by any standard -- a school that:
        -- provides an environment conducive to learning.
        -- lays a strong foundation of skills, knowledge, and understanding.
        -- effectively prepares its students for the upper grades.
        -- instills Christian values. 
        -- cultivates higher order thinking skills.
        -- promotes innovation and cooperative problem-solving. 
        -- builds community.
        -- employs qualified faculty.
        -- has a computer lab, a playground, a library.

L’Espinasse School is already on the road towards Jeanette’s vision. 2 of the 4 instructors employed at the school are trained teachers. A team of educators [me!] will be visiting the school in April 2012 to mentor the teachers and work with the students.

The vision can become reality. You can help. Click on the link in the right sidebar for more information on how you can advance the vision.

Together, you and I can make an impact, one that will be felt for many years to come - one person at a time, one child at a time, in peace with justice.
God’s work, our hands.

“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.” 
~ The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Until next time, be well.
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Why Haiti?

1/8/2012

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You and I are seed planters. We plant seeds all the time -- everywhere we go, with every action or inaction we make, with every word we say or don’t say. It’s an awesome responsibility, one we may or may not be aware of or acknowledge. The influence and power of the responsibility is more pronounced when we become parents, caregivers, or devote time to being the ‘village’ that helps to grow the children of our society into adults. I, for one, didn’t ask for it – no, that’s not quite right. I was blissfully unaware that I had asked. I think most of us are…

So…why Haiti? It has everything to do with seeds.

A few years ago, Sharon Cushing, Executive Coordinator of Children in Need Haitian Project [CINHP], was invited to visit Leif Ericson to teach the entire school about CINHP at an assembly program. I was in attendance – a seed is planted.

A devastating earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Jeanette Felix, Founder of CINHP was in Haiti with her family at the time. Children’s Chorus of Bay Ridge chose to send the funds raised at their Winter
Concert in late January 2010 to aid CINHP. Children raising funds for other children in need is a good fit for the chorus. Subsequently, Children’s Chorus of Bay Ridge chose to send all funds raised at its concerts to CINHP. The seed planted is now rooted as a relationship between Children’s Chorus of Bay Ridge and CINHP. 

In early 2011, Jeanette Felix, Founder of CINHP, suggests to a mutual friend that she and I visit Jeanette in Haiti – a seed is planted. 

After careful consideration and prayer, I accept the invitation in September 2011. Three of my colleagues/friends will travel with me as we go to Haiti to mentor teachers in April 2012. During this one-week trip, we will visit CINHP’s school located in the rural community of L'Espinasse, 3 hours outside of Port-au-Prince, up in the
mountains.

I'm helping CINHP raise funds so that a new school building can be completed. The land is bought, the building staked and foundation poured, a builder has been found – the need now is for construction materials. There are also many other needs that need to be met. Please click here to find out how you can help:

If you know of anyone who may be interested in donating, either financially or with supplies, please let me know and I'll contact them directly, or, pass along the link to this blog. http://www.missritamusic.com/haiti-2012.html

Until next time, be well!

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    One woman, compelled by faith, to act with love and compassion for peace and justice.

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