MY NAME IS ALYSSA AND I AM EXCITED TO BE REPRESENTING FRONTIER PROJECTS IN HAITI DURING 2019 AS THEIR FIRST ASSISTANT PROGRAMS FACILITATOR! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND TODAY'S YOUTH - MAYBE THAT IS WHY FRONTIER PROJECTS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. JOINING A TEAM SUCH AS THIS HAS ALLOWED ME TO LEARN, GROW AND TO EXPERIENCE CULTURE IN A WAY THAT I HAVE NEVER BEFORE. AS AN AMERICAN, I HAVE GROWN UP IN A VERY DIVERSE NATION, BUT NOTHING PREPARED ME FOR THE CULTURE SHOCK AND DIVERSITY OF A NATION LIKE HAITI. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD AND TO BE ABLE TO TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THAT IS A BLESSING! I BELIEVE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND TO RAISE UP POSITIVE INFLUENCERS IN OUR GLOBAL WORLD. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LIGHT FOR LIVING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES, AND OUR SUPPORT OF THEIR VISION, I AM ABUNDANTLY ABLE TO GIVE, AID, AND SUPPORT. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BECAUSE OF THE HELP OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, MY MISSION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS. EVERY PRAYER, WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND DOLLAR WAS USED TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIFE OF ANOTHER AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
LEARN ENGLISH WITH ALYSSA - http://www.creativelybiased.com/englishwithalyssa.html
WHILST LIVING IN HAITI IN 2018, I DEVELOPED AND LAUNCHED AN ESL PROGRAM FOR THE COMMUNITY OF CARREFOUR, HAITI. THIS YEAR, THE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE AND BE LED BY A TEACHER THAT I TRAINED TO RUN THE COURSE AND THE PROGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MORE STUDENTS. WE WILL ALSO INCORPORATE A MORE ADVANCED CLASS FOR THE STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. CURRENTLY, I KEEP IN CONTACT WITH EACH OF MY STUDENTS AND CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THEM, SPEAK WITH THEM, AND WORK ON THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS.
BOUVIER SCHOOL - https://spark.adobe.com/page/GVdqLKTBYABkr/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fspark.adobe.com%2Fpage%2FGVdqLKTBYABkr%2Fembed.html&embed_type=overlay&context=expand
ESL COURSES CREATES A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR BOUVIER SCHOOL, A SCHOOL IN THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS THAT WAS BUILT AND IS BEING SUPPORTED BY INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS. IN THE EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI TOOK THE LIVES OF OVER 300,000 AND LEFT OVER 1 MILLION HOMELESS, OUR SMALL TEAM HAVE FORGED PRECIOUS AND STRONG LINKS WITH OUR PARTNERS, DETERMINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO LOST SO MUCH. IN 2011, OUR TEAM FROM FRONTIER PROJECTS STARTED BUILDING A SCHOOL IN BOUVIER THAT WAS NEARLY DESTROYED IN THE 2010 QUAKE. THIS BUILDING PROJECT HAS CONTINUED EVERY YEAR - AND SINCE 2017, THE SCHOOL NOW HAS A TEACHER'S APARTMENT, CLINIC ROOM, A FARM, NEW TOILETS, NEW TANKS AND SOLAR POWER!
WITH 150 STUDENTS AND ONLY SEVEN TEACHERS, OUR GOAL IS TO DONATE THE SCHOOL TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SCHOOL TO BECOME SELF-SUSTAINABLE. WITHIN THE SCHOOL, WE SPONSOR A FEEDING PROGRAM IN WHICH EACH CHILD RECEIVES A HOME COOKED MEAL AT LEAST TWO TIMES A WEEK. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE UNABLE TO SAY HOW MUCH EACH OF THE STUDENTS EAT, OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DAY. AT BOUVIER SCHOOL, WE ALSO HAVE DEVELOPED A FARM AND CHICKEN COOP THAT PROVIDES EGGS AND VEGETABLES TO THE CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY.
LIBELLULE TRAINING ACADEMY - http://www.creativelybiased.com/libelluletraining.html
NEXT, LIBELLULE TRAINING ACADEMY (LTA) IS A LIGHT FOR LIVING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (LIFLIM) AND FRONTIER PROJECTS SPONSORED PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN JANUARY 2018. THE PROGRAM’S INTENT IS TO REHABILITATE FAMILIES AND SUPPORT CHILDREN BACK INTO THEIR HOMES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PARENTS WITH SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT, INCLUDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THEMSELVES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CHILDREN OF LOVE COMMUNITY HOME WOULD BE BETTER OFF LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS. WORK WAS DONE ON THEIR HOMES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF EACH CHILD BEFORE THEIR RETURN.
NOW THAT LIBELLULE TRAINING ACADEMY IS RUNNING, A GROUP OF MOTHERS AND FORMER YOUNG ADULTS WHO ONCE LIVED AT LOVE COMMUNITY HOME, ATTEND CLASS TWO TIMES A WEEK FROM 9AM - 1PM. DURING THESE TIMES, THE STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY LEARNING JEWELRY MAKING FOR DIFFERENT CULTURAL MARKETS AS WELL AS HOW TO MARKET AND SELL THEIR PRODUCTS TO EACH OF THE INTENDED MARKETS. IN 2018, WE PROVIDED ALL MATERIALS AND TRAINING TO CREATE HANDMADE JEWELRY THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES. EACH SALE GENERATES INCOME FOR OUR FAMILIES. THE STUDENTS RECEIVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH EACH DAY OF CLASS, A STIPEND WHICH IS PUT INTO THEIR OWN MICRO FINANCE ACCOUNTS AND A MONTHLY FOOD PACKAGE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.
AS THE 2018 PROGRAM MANAGER, I WAS ABLE TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF OUR MOTHERS AND STUDENTS AND CREATE MORE CHANCES TO LEARN NEW SKILLS. WORKING WITH, GETTING TO KNOW, MANAGING AND LOVING THIS AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE HAS BEEN REWARDING AND FULL OF OPPORTUNITY. IT HAS BEEN SUCH A PLEASURE TEACHING, LEARNING, AND GROWING WITH THEM EACH WEEK. I CAN TRULY TESTIFY THAT LIBELLULE IS A PROGRAM THAT WORKS AND HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL TO GO SO FAR!
LOVE COMMUNITY HOME - https://www.frontierprojects.org/haiti-projects.html
ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT I HELPED TO SUPPORT IS LOVE COMMUNITY HOME (LCH). LOVE COMMUNITY HOME IS A LOVING, SAFE HOME FOR ORPHANS & ABANDONED CHILDREN, CARED FOR BY PASTOR GUY VINCENT, HIS WIFE MADAME VINCENT AND THEIR FAMILY. SPONSORSHIP MEANS THAT THE CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED WITH PERSONAL CARE, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND A HOT MEAL EACH DAY. WE HAVE COMPLETELY RENOVATED INSIDE AND OUT FOR THE CHILDREN AND CARE GIVERS. THIS WORK IS ONGOING AS WE EXPAND OUR PROGRAMS WITH LOVE COMMUNITY. OUR TEAMS HELP TO TRAIN LOCAL BUILDERS SO THAT THE WORK ON THE GROUND CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND. DONATED BUILDING SUPPLIES AND TOOLS HAVE MEANT THAT THESE BUILDERS ARE EQUIPPED FOR ONGOING BUSINESS.
SPONSORSHIP OF THE CHILDREN IS ONGOING - WITH THE PRIORITY TO SEEK OUT ANY LIVING FAMILY OR PARENTS OF THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN IF POSSIBLE, AND PLACE THEM BACK INTO THEIR OWN HOMES - SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
LOVE FAMILY HOMES - https://spark.adobe.com/page/ExGhgnfkM7wxi/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fspark.adobe.com%2Fpage%2FExGhgnfkM7wxi%2Fembed.html&embed_type=overlay&context=expand
LOVE FAMILY HOMES IS THE ONGOING SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM THAT SPONSORS CHILDREN INTO THEIR OWN HOMES AND THEN DEVELOPS THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS SO THAT WE CAN THEN VOCATIONALLY TRAIN AND EQUIP PARENTS IN HAITI - THROUGH LIBELLULE TRAINING ACADEMY (LAUNCHED IN JANUARY, 2018) IN CARREFOUR, TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE! WHILST IN HAITI, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE TIME AND DEVELOP A LIFE PROGRAM FOR THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY WHICH ULTIMATELY TEACHES THEM IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS.
FOR PARENTS, THESE LIFE SKILLS INCLUDE MONEY MANAGEMENT, BASIC BUSINESS, AND HEALTHY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS FIRST AID. FOR YOUNG ADULTS, WE FOCUS ON GOAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. IT IS MY GOAL TO PLACE EACH YOUNG ADULT IN A PROGRAM THAT WILL PUSH THEM EDUCATIONALLY INTO THE DIRECTION THAT THEY WISH TO GO. SEVERAL OF THE YOUNG ADULTS WERE SPONSORED IN TAKING THE ESL COURSE. FOR OUR CHILDREN, THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL IN HOPES OF GETTING THEM THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. WE ALSO WORK TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY, TO LEARN, TO GROW AND EXPERIENCE MORE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED IN LIFE. I OFTENTIMES SET UP MOVIE DAYS WITH POPCORN, PIZZA PARTIES, AMERICAN CUISINE NIGHTS, ETC.
CCLV: CAVAILLON - https://spark.adobe.com/page/Q0uVOLkFbvFLV/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.frontierprojects.org%2Falyssainhaiti.html&embed_type=overlay&context=lightbox-expand
CAVAILLON IS A SMALL, RURAL COMMUNITY, FOUR HOURS SOUTH OF CARREFOUR. IN THIS AREA, THERE IS NO POWER, NO RUNNING WATER, AND PLENTY OF FARM LAND. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO LOCAL SCHOOL. LIFLIM HAS DEDICATED TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY TO BUILD A CHURCH IN THE AREA, AND THREE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE TRAVEL TO CAVAILLON EVERY WEEKEND TO TEACH THE CHILDREN. IN JULY, THE THREE TEACHERS STAYED IN CAVAILLON FOR 20 DAYS, LIVING AMONGST THE PEOPLE AND OFFERING CLASSES FOR THE CHILDREN EACH DAY. EVERY DAY, WE ALSO FEED THE CHILDREN TWO MEALS AND PROVIDE JUICE! AT THE END OF THE 20 DAY PROGRAM, THE CHILDREN HAD A GRADUATION CELEBRATION IN WHICH WE GIFTED EACH CHILD WITH A CERTIFICATE, A BOOK BAG WITH SANITATION AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND A CHICKEN. FOR EXTRAORDINARY STUDENTS, GOATS WERE GIFTED TO THEIR FAMILIES ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD. WITH THE HELP OF TOUCH OF THE HEALING HANDS, WE ALSO DONATED FOOD AND CLOTHES TO EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY AND OFFERED A FREE MEDICAL CLINIC.
IT IS MY GOAL TO LISTEN TO NEEDS AND TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. YOUR SUPPORT IN AIDING THIS MISSION WOULD MEAN EVERYTHING, NOT ONLY TO MYSELF, LIGHT FOR LIVING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES AND TO FRONTIER PROJECTS, BUT TO THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING SO HARD TO SAVE THEMSELVES FROM A CYCLE THAT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HELP THEM. IN JUST TWO WEEKS ON THE 2017 JOURNEY OF HOPE, MY LIFE WAS CHANGED, I WAS MADE WHOLE AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE NATION OF HAITI AND ITS PEOPLE. IN 2018, I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS MORE TO LIFE AND THAT I COULD ELICIT ACTUAL CHANGE. I AM BEYOND EXCITED FOR THIS UPCOMING ADVENTURE AS IT GIVES ME THE CHANCE TO SERVE AN UNDERPRIVILEGED, YET RESILIENT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO DESERVE THE CHANCE TO PREVAIL. THESE MOTHERS, THESE CHILDREN AND THESE FAMILIES DESERVE HOPE; A HOPE THAT MANY OF US HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED TO KNOW. YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH ME, LIGHT FOR LIVING INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES AND FRONTIER PROJECTS HAITI WILL HELP TO SUPPORT EACH OF THE ABOVE INITIATIVES IN UNIMAGINABLE WAYS. WE WORK, BASED ON COMMUNITY DESIRE TO FILL SPECIFIC NEEDS. THANK YOU FOR JOURNEYING WITH ME!
I made amazing friends that supported me and had my back. We exchanged language and culture and found that we are more similar than not. Every day spent coming into community with great people was inspiring and purposeful.
While in Haiti, I participated in three unique mission trips; one with a Haitiain team, an Australian team and an American team, all doing different work in several communities. Each trip was hands on and meaningful.
I encountered so many beautiful children in Haiti; some with families and some without. The beautiful thing about it was that regardless of a child's upbringing or status, there was always so much love in every moment. Children are supported and they need to know that they are the future.
Love, I found, is a universal language. I was able to love hard and be loved in a way that allowed me to do more every day. I am so blessed that God chose me for this mission.
Thank you a thousand times more, Alyssa
Credits:
Photos contributed by Alyssa Barber