Featurestory
F E A T U R E
The Kindness of Strangers
S T O R Y
By Sheila Eppolito
Surprise Donor Gives Haitian Student the Opportunity of a Lifetime
P
ouchon Jean Amazan isn’t a gambler—he is, instead, a logical man of science. But even Amazan has to admit that the chance encounter 30,000 feet up in the air that changed the course of his life was an astounding stroke of luck. Amazan—the son of Haitian farmers—showed promise in math and science early on, catching the notice of private school instructors and one compassionate scientist —Prof. Bob Giles—from the United States. Giles joined his daughter as a chaperone on her youth group’s trip to Haiti in 2003, and was forever changed by what he saw. “Haiti is the poorest and most densely populated country in our part of the hemisphere,” says Giles, chairman of the Physics Department. “Aggravated by soil erosion, drought and famine, the country has been identified with fourth world status by the International Banking System.”
Haitian student Pouchon Jean Amazan, third from left, meets his benefactors Cumberland Farms Director George Haseotes, second from left, and Kristen Williams, right, who learned about Amazan during a plane ride with Prof. Bob Giles, far left.
Despite the brutal conditions, Giles saw possibility in the faces of the Haitian people, and set his mind to doing something to help. Amazan is but one of dozens of students Giles has supported—educationally and financially—since his life changing trip. Giles met Amazan through a network of American colleagues, travel companions and advisors in Haiti. He provided mentoring—and personal investment —for Amazan for five years before encouraging him to apply to the University to pursue a degree in physics. Amazan was accepted, but fell $8,000 short of the funds he’d need to attend. Enter Kristen Williams. Fresh from a cruise with her children with several stops in countries that struggle to meet basic needs, Williams, who was “disgusted by the contradictory overall excess and waste of food on board ship,” struck up a conversation with the man in the airplane seat next to her.
“We got to talking, and I realized I was sitting with a prestigious educator who was committed to training young people to change the world,” says Williams, who, along with husband George Haseotes, runs a charitable foundation committed to improving education. “My husband’s Greek immigrant family founded Cumberland Farms, and through generations of hard work and dedication, the company has enjoyed financial success,” says Williams. Cumberland Farms’ family founders are quintessential believers in and examples of, the power of hard work and education in realizing success. Out comes the checkbook. Williams was so moved by Giles’ story—and Amazan’s potential – that she wrote a check on the spot. Not for the praise the gift might earn—in fact, she is downright reticent when her generosity is touted. “My interest in philanthropy is in helping people who can affect real change in the world,” says Williams. “When Prof. Giles described the work he does, and the kind of improvements in basic human needs a man like Pouchon can make, it was a no-brainer for us to support the cause.” Amazan has settled in nicely at the University, and is excited about his future. He also was delighted to see snow for the first time, sharing the moment with his mother during one of the calls Giles encourages him to make on Gile’s phone. For Giles, helping dozens of students isn’t enough— he’s working on developing a University research program to further expand student and faculty involvement in Haiti. As for Williams, she continues her quiet, dogged pursuit of investing in causes and people like Pouchon who can use their minds to improve the world. “There’s something very exciting about helping students get excited about turning problems into solutions,” she says. !
“MY INTEREST IN PHILANTHROPY IS IN HELPING PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFECT REAL CHANGE IN THE WORLD.” —Kristen Williams
Children in Haiti
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