My name is Julia Kasmouski and I am a
member of the club Rendezvous Haiti here at Loyola.
Last March, I had the
privilege to travel to Haiti with a group of Loyola students to witness first
hand the profound impact Rendezvous Haiti and its leader Madame Catherine
Savell have had on the lives of those who live at the Foyer Notre Dame de
Lourdes outside of Port-au-Prince Haiti.
This March I am beyond grateful for
the opportunity to return to Haiti and continue the great work of this
organization. Not only will I get to spend another week teaching, playing, and
working with some of the most kind-hearted and loving children I have ever met,
but I will get to take part in building upon the tremendous success Rendezvous
Haiti has already helped to create. Since the earthquake that devastated Haiti
in 2010, Rendezvous Haiti and the numerous volunteers that have traveled to the
Foyer are helping dozens of children find paths of success through education
and entrepreneurship.
This year with the help of generous donors two more teenagers at the Foyer have had the opportunity to attend the University of
Haiti to further their education and become teachers. In addition, this coming
March myself and another group of volunteers will be working to renovate a
transition home for teenagers that age out of the orphanage but have nowhere
else to go.
Being a part of this organization has completely changed my view of
the world and I am so grateful for that. However, one person or even a
small group can only do so much to enact positive change. Rendezvous Haiti and
the 150 children at the Foyer need your help and support too. Whether that be
through donations of toys, supplies, or funds, you too can help make a
difference in the lives of children just trying to succeed. Because despite the
hardship and poverty that has left many of these children without family to
love them and take care of them, they have found happiness, love, and support
at the Foyer and without the help of generous donors and volunteers none of
that would be possible. Thank you.
