Graduating is no small feat in Haiti. In fact, only about 30% of students in Haiti even have the chance to start high school—and in rural communities that number is even lower. We’d love for you to meet some of our graduates and read how they overcame the barriers in their path to reach this milestone thanks to sponsorship. We hope you’ll be inspired!
Anderson Garcon
When Anderson lost both of his parents, life as an orphan would mean the end to his education. His grandmother, who loved him deeply but was already struggling with poverty, could not afford school tuition. But thanks to the generosity of a wonderful sponsor, Anderson’s story didn’t stop there!
Today, he proudly holds a diploma, graduating in the top 20% of his class! From a boy nicknamed “Dédé” who loved playing soccer and eating apples as a treat, he has grown into a kind, hardworking young man who supports his grandmother, hauling water and taking care of what she cannot, all while studying diligently.
Looking ahead, Anderson hopes to join our microgrant program to start a small business and dreams of one day studying administrative science in college. His story is a beautiful reminder of the doors your generosity can open!
Mirlanda Overtus
Meet Mirlanda. At age 24, most of her life has been spent persevering through poverty. Growing up in a large Christian family, Mirlanda’s father had poor health and spent many months unable to work. Mirlanda’s family has faced seasons of life where salt water was all they could afford to keep their bellies full.
During these periods of deep poverty, Mirlanda and her siblings were unable to attend school. Then a wonderful sponsor stepped in and sacrificially gave month after month for many years to help Mirlanda persevere. Today, Mirlanda has accomplished something that less than 30% of her peers have accomplished – graduating from high school!
Jisnel and Oslin Jean-François
Jisnel and Oslin are not only brothers, but best friends who have leaned on each other through every challenge. They spent their childhood in a small rural mountain village, where their parents worked tirelessly in the fields to give them the gift of primary school.
When it came time for secondary school, the brothers faced a difficult decision: if they wanted to continue their education, they would have to leave their village and move into town. Together, they took that step—supporting one another and working hard each day to keep their dream alive. But as gang violence and insecurity spread, their parents’ livelihood was cut off, as roadblocks prevented the sale of their crops.
Just when it seemed their education might come to an end, two sponsors stepped in and changed everything. With that support, Jisnel and Oslin were able to continue their studies and, at last, both graduated from high school!
Their parents couldn’t be more proud—knowing that both of their boys now hold diplomas, a rare and remarkable accomplishment in Haiti. And for Jisnel and Oslin, graduation is more than just a milestone—it’s a symbol of perseverance and the power of generosity.
Marckenley Bazile
Marckenley is not a stranger to struggle. When Marckenley’s father passed away unexpectedly, he thought his educational journey would come to an end as his mom struggled to earn a living and couldn’t afford school tuition. But thanks to his sponsor, that was not the end of his story.
Once again, when gang violence hit his community two years ago, he was forced to flee his home and lost so much. Yet sponsorship was the steady presence in his life that encouraged him to keep pressing forward and today he holds a diploma! It’s been such a joy to watch him go from a teenage boy who loved playing soccer and eating raisins for a treat to an intelligent young man who helps his grandfather daily and is using his entrepreneurial spirit and everything he learned in school to help him thrive.