Graduate Update (Anita)

My name is Anita Paul.

I am 22 and live in Petit Paridis of the Leogane area. I live with my parents. I have one sister and three brothers. I am the second child in my family. My father is a farmer and makes coal from wood. Working those jobs is hard but makes it easier to care for us and our home. My mother sells things. She buys fruits, vegetables, and anything else she can resell. She also leases a cherry garden. They pool everything to take care of us. To help and encourage them, we often work with them during any free time. My parents like that and feel better when we help.

Many times I don’t have money to pay for my expenses. Sometimes I feel exhausted after a long day at school and work. I spend a lot of time plucking cherries. I get home at 6 and then help them because it is all of our work. I have no words to really describe my family. I love them very much for all the effort they make.

I thank you for asking about me and my family. That helps you know me better. School is very important. That we can go because of you is a gift from Heaven. I am so grateful for everything provided to me. My parents don’t have the means to provide for my schooling or medical care.

Thanks to Haiti Empowered I have a chance to finish my education. A really big help for me is the bus. Every time I get in the bus I lift my head and thank God for everything you have done for me. God will reward you for your love and your kindness.

I thank everyone who provided for us so that we can sit on those benches and learn. I love when people are sitting around to talk. That excites me to work very hard with my studies and to be useful to others. I want to help others because I found help free of charge.

I usually leave home without eating anything. The food at the school fills a necessity for me.

My favorite subject is biology and I am best at it. After High School, I would like to study Agronomy science, because I grew up seeing my parents take care of gardens. I love gardening.

I smile whenever I go to school and see my classmates. That fills my heart with joy. I get sad when my mother goes to the market and doesn’t sell anything. I am working really hard to have a good result on the final tests. I know all my teachers are waiting for that and expecting it.

My favorite food is rice, vegetables and pear sauce. My favorite activity is to pick lots of cherries to fill many containers for my mother to sell.

Highlight from graduating student, Anita Paul. She is in her last year (13th).