MSOE Gives Back
MSOE is committed to giving back and fostering relationships that include and transcend the borders of our local community.
Our First Trip (January 2015)
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Although it is only the beginning of our journey, Dieubon and I have been instinctively inspiring each other from the beginning. After his trip to Haiti, this has become very apparent to me. Dieubon was very excited to be in Haiti over our winter break so that he could give many of the donated items to the Montessori school called Centre Montessori de Depio. Ghyslaine Rochelin is the founder of the school. You can learn more about her by clicking here.
Dieubon and I did not exactly know how this was all going to work, and the details did not work themselves out until he was there. However, he was patient and eagerly waited for my communications. Once logistics were figured out, Dieubon rented a car with his father and relative and drove two hours to Ghyslaine’s school with many donated items. Ghyslaine was very nice, and as you can see, she even wore one of the t-shirts that I had made for Dieubon’s trip. In the meantime, Dieubon learned about a group of children who lived in a very remote area that have had very little to nothing since the earthquake. Dieubon went to them with a relative and some friends. The following is a description of his experience in his own words. |
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My name is Dieubon Merice, but I go by the name of JB. Thanks to the inspiration that Matthew Simberg gave me, I was able to help out a group of children during the Christmas holiday. Two people who helped bring this together were Jonas and Patrick. Jonas and Patrick took me to visit kids who lost their family in the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Jonas was the guy who was helping the kids. Jonas wanted to help them as much as he could, but he had no support. Patrick is my cousin, and he gathered his friends together to help us deliver presents to the children.
We went to Petion-ville, Haiti to visit the children who lived there. On my first visit to see them, I asked the children about Christmas, and they said they were not celebrating. The children had no way of celebrating Christmas because of their situation. These children sleep in tents and go to bed hungry most nights. I immediately went and bought Christmas gifts for the children, food, clothing and shoes.
In order to visit them we had to take a 90 minute drive, followed by 2 hours of walking. I always walked there with a smile on my face and appreciated seeing them. I asked my cousin Patrick to help me, so he brought his friends and we went together with bags of gifts and food. I wish I could have helped more or bought them more food, but I only had so much.
The children told me that they go days without eating. I tried my best to provide food for them with the money I had. It was sad seeing the children without family, so I did my best and gave what I could. The last time I left, they were expecting me to come back. As I was leaving they kept asking when I was coming back, I could tell they didn’t want me to leave. Matthew gave me boxes of books to give to the children. All of the books were written in English, which is not their native language. The children said they are going to try to learn English from these books, and then they will be able to speak to Matthew. Schooling is unattainable for these children, because they cannot afford it.
Matthew Simberg was the whole reason why I visited these children. He inspired me to visit and see what was going on. I tried to help them as much as I could. I feel like everyone forgot about these children.
The pictures and videos that J.B. took of this part of his trip definitely speak for themselves. His letter complimented what I saw and has touched me in a deep way. I am working on a plan to see what more we can do for these children so that they can soon be on the path to helping themselves. This is very real, and like many children throughout the world, these children do not have a lot of time.
I think this was a good experience for us, and we learned a lot. We know more specifically of what the needs are of Centre Montessori de Depio and now another group of children. It is interesting to think that this school and all of these children would never have been on our radar had so many people not connected in such a synchronistic way; then, to have the willingness and fortitude to help, whether it be making a donation, offering a connection, or taking the actual journey. If anyone has ideas or thoughts, please share them with me no matter how small, big or impossible it may seem. Through a collaborative and cooperative effort, we can find ways to help give the children of Centre Montessori de Depio and the children of Petion-ville, Haiti what they need to sow the seeds for their futures.
I think this was a good experience for us, and we learned a lot. We know more specifically of what the needs are of Centre Montessori de Depio and now another group of children. It is interesting to think that this school and all of these children would never have been on our radar had so many people not connected in such a synchronistic way; then, to have the willingness and fortitude to help, whether it be making a donation, offering a connection, or taking the actual journey. If anyone has ideas or thoughts, please share them with me no matter how small, big or impossible it may seem. Through a collaborative and cooperative effort, we can find ways to help give the children of Centre Montessori de Depio and the children of Petion-ville, Haiti what they need to sow the seeds for their futures.