Graduation in May 2007 – 82 Graduates
GRADUATION IN MAY 2007 – 82 Graduates !
Once again the time for graduation arrived. As last year, there were thousands of attendees including many distinguished guests such as the secretary of the General Baptist Assembly, the Director of 4VEH Radio, the Director of the Haitian Bible Society, the Director of College Practique du Nord, the Commissioner of Cap Haitian, the director of Women and Children Services in Haiti, and many others. It was a time of jubilation for students, parents and family.
It is such a privilege to be able to go to school in Haiti. Education is so precious here; not a thing is taken for granted. Many children do not have the opportunity to go to school at all as Haiti does not have a public education system funded by the government. Each family has to pay for its children’s education, including books, uniforms and food. It is beyond the ability of most parents to send their kids to school. Additionally, the French education system in Haiti is rote based (memorization) and not logic based. This means that schools do not concentrate on logic, analysis, problem solving, groupings of like and unlike things, puzzles and hands-on learning. Haitien students can recite from memory, running circles around American students, but they are severely lacking in the analytical and critical thinking skills that are so necessary in the sciences. Yet education is the bedrock of prosperity and of culture, religion, politics and society. This is one reason why Haiti Hope Fund is so important because we focus on education of the youth of Haiti. This is a lasting way we can make a difference in a person’s life. What a great opportunity we have to make an indelible mark on this planet. Surely this is what Jesus would want us to do.
PROFILE OF ILENA FRANCOIS
Ilena is one of 12 children whose family lives in Bel Aidair. She longed to attend college. Though her parents and her aunt tried their best to send her to UCNH, they just couldn’t provide the funds necessary for the entire four year program. Ilena almost collapsed with despair when she contemplated going back to her home where there was no hope for her. This was when Haiti Hope Fund and others, like Mme. Nzunga, missionary to women in Haiti, stepped in to help. Now she has graduated with a degree in theology and hopes to go on to get a second degree in business. Her husband of one year also graduated in 2007 and they are expecting their first baby in September. She wants to help her brothers and sisters get a university education as well. Mme Nzunga said that it’s the small things that we can do for others that make a big difference for those in need. By helping and encouraging Ilena we have shown her that God loves her, through many people and in many ways. This is the essence of ministry!
A NOTE FROM DEBBIE HENEISE
First Alumni Association Meeting
I recently attended the first alumni association meeting for UCNH/STBH in Ft. Lauderdale, June 23. We had a very good turnout and lots of interest in what’s happening now and how they can help their alma mater. We hope this enthusiasm will translate into scholarships for students, endowments for professors and capital improvements.
One of the older students related an interesting story. He was at the 50th anniversary for the University in 1997 when Ivah Heneise took him aside and said, “Dumanie, this is where it’s all going to happen. (the transformation of Haiti).” At that time he said he didn’t understand what Ivah was talking about. It was only now, he said, as he was listening to what was being said at this meeting that he realized what Ivah meant. UCNH is poised on the crest of the wave that is forming to transform Haiti and it will happen at this campus. The influence that will build this nation will come from this campus. That is why he said it is so important for all the alumni to really support this university!
PROFILE OF MADAME MARK
Madame Mark is the head cook for UCNH. She worked in the campus kitchen when the school was the Baptist Seminary of Haut Limbe. She is responsible for the seniors’ banquet the day before graduation as well as the day to day food preparation. She has three daughters that have graduated from UCNH, thanks to scholarships they have received. One daughter graduated with a degree in business and works with Agronomist Mike Lawson on campus. The eldest daughter works at a bank in Cap Haitien and the third one is the assistant to the campus registrar, Max Petit-Papa.
Each year the seniors have a dinner that includes their immediate families. This year there were about five hundred people in attendance. That’s a lot of food! Madame Mark and her kitchen ladies worked through the day and all through the night preparing delicious food, including pineapple upside down cakes, roasted goat meat, griot (fried pork), roasted chicken, rice dishes of all kinds, succulent salads and tropical fruits, all presented in beautiful and artistic displays. The overall feeling of festivity on the plaza indicates that this is a very special affair. All the graduates and their guests were resplendent in their formal wear; kelly green tables are set with exotic bamboo floral arrangements made by the Agricultural Department, and families are enjoying the hard earned fruits of their labor- their precious children graduating from one of the best universities in the country.
After watching the ladies labor over food of all kinds in the university kitchen, then seeing them serve the finished products as if it was nothing, I am convinced that they are miracle makers. When they finish making the food they get dressed in their finest outfits, hair perfectly coiffed, and come out to serve the guests effortlessly. If I hadn’t witnessed these same ladies laboring over the food preparation the day and night before I would not have imagined the level of hardship they had so cheerfully endured! These ladies deserve special praise for service over and above the call of duty.
PROFILE OF MIKE LAWSON
Mike teaches agriculture at the University. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Horticulture and in 1989 earned a Masters degree in International Development from the same University. He spent 3 years working for World Hunger Relief in India, Kenya Mexico, Nepal and Haiti. He came back to Haiti with World Hunger Relief to work at Ferrier and helped train farmers and others in soil conservation and nursery practices. He has worked in Haiti for 18 years. This year Mike will be heading up an agricultural development project that will impact the Limbe valley. The project will include reforestation training for technicians and education for elementary and secondary school children on the benefits of conserving their resources.
A NOTE FROM KEN HENEISE
I recently came across an interesting editorial in our local newspaper, the Times Union – Jacksonville, 7/6/2007 by respected author Jonah Goldberg, titled “Wealth of civilization found in our minds, not in our buildings”. He stated in this article that “Building roads, dams and factories in the Third World is a fool’s errand until those nations have the intangible capital required to maintain such things.” I was struck by the truth in these words, and how this truth applies to Haiti and to the efforts of everyone involved with Haiti Hope Fund and North Haiti Christian University. We are truly investing in the human capital that Haiti needs to have hope for the future, and our work is NOT a fool’s errand. We are responding directly to Jesus’ command “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
PRAISE AND PRAYER CONCERNS
Praise God for another successful graduation. Eighty-two students graduated this year. Pray that each of these students will make an impact on Haiti. Ivah and Harold Heneise’s dream was to enable Christian young people to have an opportunity to be educated and to make a difference in Haiti. Let’s make it our dream as well.
Praise God for the first meeting of UCNH Alumni, held in Ft Lauderdale this June. There was a spirit of anticipation and joy as they saw pictures of their campus and realized their need to help their alma mater.
Pray for the youth of Haiti, that they will grow and prosper in the Lord. I was able to visit an elementary school on my visit to Haiti and I realized the need to recognize that these young ones may be going to UCNH in the future.
Pray for Laurie Heneise Casseus, daughter of Ivah and Harold Heneise. She is back in Haiti after surgery for an intestinal hernia and 8 month convalescence at her sister’s in California. There is great rejoicing in Haiti for her return. She will be there for Music Camp’s 30th reunion this year. If you would like to contribute to the music camp scholarship please call Debbie Heneise at (904)484-4265 or send your contribution to PO Box 56 Penny Farms, Fl 32079.
