Haiti
James Michel P’12
James’ life in the United States started as a fifth-grader who couldn’t read, write, or speak English. By the tenth grade, he had caught up to his peers and had resolved to get a college degree. He completed high school, earned a degree from Brooklyn College, and then obtained a master’s from the University of Hartford. He is currently an audit director for Aetna and the chair of the Bloomfield, Connecticut, board of education.
St. Joseph before earthquake
James’ father and mother left Haiti in 1965 in search of a better life for their 11 children. They took up residence in Brooklyn, New York, and like so many immigrants before them, they worked hard to buy a house, save money, and bring the rest of their children to America. It took his father eight years, while holding three jobs, to secure the funds to reunite the family in Brooklyn. “My father’s reason for existence, his hope and vision, was for all of us to come to the U.S. and take full advantage of the American Dream,” said James. “He believed that the American Dream was not something that is given to you. You have to work for it and earn it.” James has devoted his life to helping others find success. He gives back to his roots through a charitable organization known as Hospice of St. Joseph, of which he is a board member. The focus of this organization is to provide education and medical treatment in Haiti. They host visiting medical teams and help students discover a future through education.
St. Joseph after earthquake
Like so many others, the devastation of January 12 changed everything for James and the Hospice of St. Joseph. “For a long while, we couldn’t reach anyone on the ground in Haiti. We eventually found out our three-story building had collapsed, but fortunately, all of the staff members had escaped without harm. The director on the ground even managed to save some food and medical supplies and continue helping people in the Christ Roi neighborhood,” says James.
James remains steadfast in his effort to help the people of Haiti. He is headed there on March 12 to assist on the ground with the relief work. As he says, “They need us now more than ever.” He urges the citizens of the world not to forget about Haiti, saying, “Help will be needed for years to come.”
Izzy McDonald ’12
A sophomore at Suffield Academy, Izzy McDonald spent last summer in Haiti working on an ongoing reforestation project. Through a friend, Izzy learned of the reforestation service project. She worked with the youth group of St. Entien’s Church and parish to help plant trees and rebuild the Haitian forest. Izzy made several connections and developed friendships in Haiti, and had planned to go back next summer for more reforestation work. “It was such a rewarding experience. I was so glad to have participated in such a worthy cause,” says Izzy. Then the total destruction of the earthquake changed things. Suddenly the need for building became the need to rebuild. Food and water became the necessity rather than trees. The earthquake has devastated many of Izzy’s friends in Haiti. They have lost friends and loved ones, and their homes have been destroyed. “I was distraught when I heard about the earthquake. I cannot wait to go back in June with everybody and help in any way possible.” The whole group is planning on going back in June, and all of the money they had raised throughout the year to buy trees has already been sent for relief efforts. When Izzy returns this summer, she will be focused on rebuilding more than reforesting.
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