Vista Hermosa featured in “COSTCO CONNECTION”
July 30, 2009
I (John Engle) visited First Fruits with a Haitian grassroots leader about a dozen years ago. We were incredibly inspired by Ralph and Cheryl Broetje and their operation and ministry. It’s amazing! We are blessed to be in partnership with them in our work in Haiti.
Click here to read the feature article in “COSTCO CONNECTION” about them, their business and ministry.
Chapo ba (Hats off to you) Ralph, Cheryl and Suzanne for all that you’ve done and are doing! Thank you for your example of using business to change lives and foster social change. Thank you for your part in making the world more loving and just.
John Engle
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Ted Talks: Patrick Awuah on educating leaders
July 25, 2009
Here’s a very inspiring Ted Talk by Patrick Awuah about preparing future leaders in his home country of Ghana, where the educational system and problems are similar to Haiti’s. My colleagues and I (John Engle) share his conviction about the need for a new educational approach in such countries for preparing their future leaders.
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Sugata Mitra shows how kids teach themselves
July 24, 2009
A fun and informative talk that relates to our Haiti Partners approach to education and belief in the power of self-organization.
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Pre-order Co-Director, Kent Annan’s Book
July 23, 2009
Following Jesus through the Eye of the Needle is a book by co-director Kent Annan that will be published in December 2009 by InterVarsity Press.
The book is about Kent’s experience moving to and working in Haiti for two and a half years. It’s an honest, unflinching take on the joys, struggles, and laughter along the way. And more universally, it’s about how following Jesus call leads us to make a difference in the world and to see our own lives changed.
All proceeds go to benefit education in Haiti through Haiti Partners.
Click here to learn more and to pre-order.
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Laptops going to Haiti
July 22, 2009
A quick update on the 35 laptops project, a component of our 3-year Capacity Building program in Haiti.
7 of our Haitian colleagues have already received laptops and 5 more will in two weeks.
While the total on the Give Meaning website is about $3,500, the actual raised to-date is closer to $10,000. Hurray! You just can’t imagine how excited my Haitian colleagues and I (John Engle) are about getting them laptops so that they can be more effective as educators and community leaders. A giant THANKS to everyone who has contributed!
Paulaine Presandieu, one of the people participating in the Capacity Building program just spent a week with my wife and I. She’s picture above and in video (link below). She talked about these laptops as she’s taking 2, one for her and her colleague, back to Haiti: “Getting access to a computer and internet in Haiti is not easy. There are little cyber cafes here and there but they’re normally packed full with people and the computers are in terrible condition. It’s common to have to wait in line to use a computer and then it can take an hour to successfully respond to a couple of emails. The computers have viruses and are old and have to be shut down and restarted etc. It gets so discouraging. Getting a good laptop like this is wonderful!”
Click here to view a 55 second video update with a number of the laptops pictured.
Our group of 40 (35 do not have a computer) convened for training and exchange in April and again in June. Click here for photo gallery. The energy and enthusiasm for this training is high and the laptops play an important part of this.
A very special thanks goes to Mark and Claire Dowds and Steve Walchek for spearheading fundraising for laptops. Let’s spread the word! Learn more and contribute at Give Meaning.
John Engle
Posted in Capacity Building 3 Training, Capacity Building 3 Training, Grants, Haiti Partners, LEADERS Program, Special Projects, Uncategorized, Vista Hermosa Foundation | No Comments | Email This Post
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8th Annual Open Space
July 11, 2009
Kent and I were in Haiti during last week in June. We were there for our 8th Annual Open Space meeting (among other things) which convened for three days 70 Haitian educators and community leaders from around the country.
Click here to view a great photo gallery. (Photos taken by Haitian pro photographer, Eric Graham.)
These meetings are a time of hope, fun and creativity, not to mention deep learning and trust building. Important work gets done. During the days small and large groups convene all around the guesthouse campus to address topics hot on people’s minds like “How Can Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) improve their/our impact” to “How we’re funding teachers’ salaries with social enterprises.” In the evenings we set up the projector and laptop and did Internet training, a session on self-evaluation, and viewed an exciting presentation about man-made lakes in Haiti that feed people (fish production) and reduce flooding.
There are so many exciting things happening. We couldn’t be more grateful for the generous support and encouragement from our friends and supporters. I’m feeling deep gratitude.
Here’s an unprofessionally done video, created by me ; ) I made it especially for folks who were there but I’ll share it here in case some of you want to get a better feel for these meetings and people involved.
Posted in Haiti Partners, Open Space, TEACHERS Program, Uncategorized | No Comments | Email This Post
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