Letter from my Kid, A Difference Maker
Here’s a letter from my kid. She’s my favorite Difference Maker but you’re also on that list. I hope you enjoy and participate if this calls to you.
Dear Family and Friends, I hope you are well. I’ve been thinking about the Love Orphanage kids and their recent struggles with education. I’m reaching out to see if you might help me boost the Be a Difference Maker fund. First, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
As an 8th grader looking to start my Silver and Gold Awards as a part of my Girl Scout journey, I was introduced to Ahaji Schreffler, the founder of the nonprofit, We the Village.
Ahaji was raising funds to cover living expenses for the children of Love Orphanage and their “father,” Gabriel Fedelu. The 17 Love O children were orphaned after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010. Gabriel, Haitian by birth, returned to the island and founded Love Orphanage where he gathered traumatized and malnourished children. With determination, faith, and great love, he nurtured these children’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
When I learned that none of the children had ever been to school, I was shocked and disappointed.
As someone who loves to learn, I was faced with the harsh reality that not everyone had the luxury of attending school like I did. After learning more about Love Orphanage from Ahaji, I recognized that education is the key to rising out of poverty and decided to team up with We the Village to ensure all 17 kids would get an education.
I created the Be A Difference Maker (BADM) program when I entered the 9th grade and gained the support of many Difference Makers throughout the United States.
Through fund raising and outreach, we funded private education for each child and provided additional materials to continue their education outside of the classroom. It was thrilling to see pictures of the kids in uniform for their first ever day of school. The kids loved learning, earnestly did their homework by lantern light, and all passed their final exams.
While I was in high school, Ahaji and I partnered to create a “Culture Camp” as part of my Girl Scout Gold award.
This weeklong camp-style trip was designed to reinforce what was being taught in school, engage in hands on learning via field trips, and exchange cultural experiences. I’ll never forget our first (of three) Culture Camps. Our team of Difference Makers installed a solar suitcase and we all witnessed the wonder of that naked light bulb turning on – changing their lives forever.
That was a summer to be remembered as the Love O kids saw the ocean for the first time, ate in a restaurant, and explored their history in the Haitian museum.
Traveling to Haiti for three summers to run this camp was an amazing experience. The kids were healthy, full of energy, and overflowing with love. Witnessing the harsh reality of life in Haiti was disturbing, eye opening, and really sad. There isn’t much of a chance for kids to get educated there as most people live on $2/day.
Above all, these Culture Camps were a welcome reminder that our work to educate the kids needed to continue upon arriving home.
You can learn about the Be A Difference Maker educational program and see my slideshows of our Culture Camp by CLICKING HERE.
As I was graduating from college, the oldest boy, Ylionor was graduating from high school at the age of 22!
We celebrated his graduation with a party and sent photos of Love O’s supporters. Sending the message to Love O that we were proud of all of the children who were doing well in school and getting promoted every year.
This was my dream in action as all this education was fully funded by the BADM donations!
In the past few years, Haiti has been experiencing even more turmoil after a presidential assasination and civil unrest.
Prices for food skyrocketed, aid workers left the country, and Love O’s neighborhood became unsafe due to gang activity. Ahaji and We the Village worked with Gabriel to relocate the family to a rental home in a safer space.
Unfortunately, their schooling was disrupted and some children had to repeat a grade this year.
Through it all, Gabriel and the children continue to grow safely in an atmosphere of love. They now have 19 children, with Ylioner being the first to complete the second phase of the Be A Difference Maker educational program. He completed technical training in computers at a trade school and he will look for a job as soon as it is safe to do so.
Current Update: After writing this letter, we learned that Haiti is under a state of emergency. Gangs stormed two large prisons and 4000 inmates escaped. They attempted to seize the airport the following day. Needless to say, the situation in Haiti has gotten much worse. We’ve reached out to Gabriel who knows we are sending prayers and also continuing to fund education for all the kids. As of now, schools are closed in the crisis and it is his hope that they are safe enough to open soon.
Even in the midst of crisis, 10 years after it was created, the goal of the Be a Difference Maker educational program remains the same.
We aim to offer every Love O child the funds to attend primary school (grades 1-13) and technical/trade school of their choice. To educate the future Difference Makers of Haiti.
None of this would’ve been possible without Difference Makers around the world who have contributed to my 8th grade dream. I’d like to thank all of you who have donated at any time during these past 10 years, especially while I’ve been off tending to my own education.
I’m sharing all of this to ask if you’d join me and become a Difference Maker for the Love O kids.
Our goal is to raise $6300 to cover the costs of sending all 19 children to school in the upcoming 24-25 school year. It currently costs $350 to fund a child for one school year, including uniforms, books, and exam fees. It is our hope that things in Haiti will be much safer when the new school year begins.
There are a few ways you may contribute if you choose.
Sponsor one or more children for a year with a one time payment or set up a monthly donation of $30 (This is a great option to ensure sustainable education over time). You may also donate any amount you choose from $10 to $6300.
All monies are donated directly through We the Village which is a 501C3 charity. 100% of funds donated through the BADM program will be used for education. I don’t have access to financial information or donation history. All transactions and annual acknowledgement of donations will be handled by We the Village.
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to consider the history and current needs of the Love O kids. I am a Difference Maker who believes in the power of education to help these children rise out of poverty. I hope you join my dream and become a Difference Maker for their future.
Sami Milano
Creator, Be A Difference Maker Educational Program for Love Orphanage, Haiti
Peace be with you and with all. No exceptions.
HeartWarming
News
If you find situations in Haiti and other third world countries, disheartening, look for the good news. There is plenty of healing, empowerment, and growth occurring in small pockets of the world. It’s often the small efforts born from someone’s heart breaking that lead to long-term improvement. This is what happened for Gabriel, Ahaji, and Sami. Three hearts broke and each took the action that called them. Gathering others to support their dreams, magic happened. And continues with long term commitment to empower sustainable change for a small family across the ocean. Whenever your heart breaks, see what action is yours to take. Your contribution matters.
