John Branchizio School: Mercy & Sharing Student Spotlight
On November 7, 2013, we will be honoring Susie Krabacher, Co-Founder and President of Mercy & Sharing. It’s not the first time we’ve awarded Susie. She first received our Humanitarian Award in 2006 for her fearless work in helping some of the most vulnerable children in Haiti.
Mercy & Sharing was established in 1994. It serves over 1,200 children annually through a variety of projects. One such project is the John Branchizio School located in the Cazeau region of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The John Branchizio Shool educates over 617 students from 1st to 8th grade. When students come to school, they are given a hot meal every day and are taught a variety of disciplines, including science, math, geography, history, languages and life skills. The school has consistently been selected as one of the best schools in Haiti with 98% of children passing the State Exam last year.
Mercy & Sharing recently interviewed one of their young students, Vanessa, a third-grader at the John Branchizio School. Here is what she had to say about her education:
“The help of Mercy & Sharing is very important in our family and most of all in my life. It’s been six years since I started going to Mercy & Sharing’s School and I would not be able to afford to go to school otherwise. My family has a lot of problems–sometimes we do not have enough clothes or shoes to wear. My mom is too proud to go ask in the neighborhood for extra clothes. This is why I am thankful for the school uniform Mercy & Sharing provides.
“I am in the third grade and I am performing very well. Usually when I am at school I feel very happy. I do very well in class and my teachers give me their love and understanding and it seems that they are never tired of explaining and showing me new things. They often tell me that I am a good student and my grades can show it.
“In class my favorite activity is mathematics. I always participate in all the school activities especially in the summer camp. It is my favorite time of the year. I see all my other friends in the neighborhood staying in their house during the summer and they tell me that it is very boring. They sometimes see kidnappings or other bad things when they stay home. I feel secure when I go to school.
“When I am at home I like helping my mother wash the dishes. I study a lot because I want to become a nurse. This is why I am doing my best at school because I want to be different and be able to buy my children what is necessary.
“Thank you for your generosity that allows me to be in school.”
Want to read more inspiring stories and learn how our Honorees are helping children worldwide? Read our recent post on two young amputees, or learn about other heroes we are supporting this year by visiting the 2013 Honorees page.