40-40-40 ... Day 21: TREZO

When I put out a call to my friends on Facebook for missions/organizations to support during this 40-40-40 adventure, Trezò (Haitian/Creole for "treasure") was the first to be suggested. The recommendation came from my friends Ryan and Sonja. Ryan and I went to high school together and -- no offense Ryan -- he didn't come to mind when I thought of all the people who I expected to respond to my inquiry. (That being said, there were a lot of people I did expect to respond who didn't. Is it because they aren't givers? Or they didn't see the post? They didn't find it relevant? Or simply didn't take the time?) But perhaps it was because Ryan's response was so unexpected that I felt so drawn to include this organization in my Lenten adventure. If Ryan and his family felt so passionately about this organization that they would sponsor a child -- sending money every month for a kid who they've never even met -- there certainly must be merit in it. After receiving this article (thank you to Katie Jackson for orchestrating this!), I understand all the more about the need in Haiti and the wonderful work this organization is doing to make change. Meet Trezò.

TREZò

By Bob VanFleteren, board member 

Only two hours from Miami, Haiti is one of the world's poorest countries, ranking 207 of 227 in GDP per capita. Haiti's history is long and complex, as are the many reasons behind its struggles. There is rarely a single cause for poverty and Haiti is no exception. Haiti has endured slavery, colonization, occupation, domination, corruption, hunger, deforestation and natural disasters.

The poorest country in the west, Haiti fights unemployment of over 75% and high illiteracy. According to the CIA, 80% of the children do not complete Grade 6 and 20% do not even complete Grade 2! In addition, 80% of the country lives below the poverty line, with over 50% described as living in “abject poverty.” Even more distressing is that much of the rural population we serve lived trapped in a world of dark superstition and voodoo practices.

Education is one of the keys to resolving many of Haiti's injustices. Education empowers everyone, and empowered people work for justice and lasting change. Starting with one small school, we have a vision for more: more classrooms, more teachers, more students, more vocational training and more opportunities for the next generation of Haiti's treasures.

Trezò is a Nashville-based non-profit organization that supports an intimate, community-based Christian day school in the Tavet region of Cayes-Jacmel, Haiti. The school, called "Espwa des Jeunes" (Children’s Hope) is unapologetically Christian and provides a place of safety, education, nutrition and healthcare for a small group of children.

Cayes-Jacmel is a blended community. Along the main road in the city, people have decent access to utilities, transportation and roads. In the city, you will find small businesses and medium-sized Western hotels that cater entirely to foreigners. Haitians who speak English can get good jobs at the hotels. Still, most Haitians live in small huts with no running water.

In the area near our school, almost the entire community lives without electricity and running water. Several families near the school farm a small piece of land and live largely off what the land produces.

There is very low literacy in the area and likely fewer than 20% of the community have completed a Grade 6 education. The community survives through a complex blend of family support, bartering, charity and hope.

The impact of Trezò and Espoir des Jeunes should not be underestimated. To the very poor families in our little community, the prospect of having their children educated was initially met with skepticism. These are people who have had their hopes dashed by one-time visitors, circumstances and natural disasters for most of their lives. But, now in our sixth year, it is clear that the school is here to stay. Hope is high in the community. We have mothers who cook every day and fathers who provide authority and security. The students are well-groomed, they look sharp in their uniforms and there is obvious pride among the parents when they hear their children stand to read.

The spiritual impact of the school is also being felt. When we first came to the area, fewer than half of the students were from Christian homes. Now, every child has a New Testament, they all begin their day with prayer and praise and Bible reading.

Trezò has quickly grown to 136 students in Grades K-6 in the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. Currently, we employ 11 Haitian staff, including 7 teachers, 3 cooks and our principal. The children are taught a Haitian curriculum which includes Creole, French, Math, Science, Geography and History. They also get daily Bible lessons and they are beginning to learn phrases in English. Every day they are fed a modest meal in the late morning.

Clearly, the community values the school. Some of the students are 15 or 16 years old, but they are attending school for the first time. They know opportunities for the uneducated are few, so they come. Each child’s parent or caregiver has sewn the student’s uniform. At times, parents have donated firewood to insure that the students will have lunch. At times, the teachers have given of their own money to provide snacks for the students. And, every school day, the students come. They come in two’s and three’s across the mountain and through the trails, taking their places on their benches ready to learn. They learn their basic curriculum and they learn to love the Lord. Now, we estimate that 75% of our rural village professes Christ! But, there are still many more to reach.

Each month we must raise a little over $4,000, over 98% of which goes directly to the children. We operate with no overhead and pay no American’s expenses; almost all of the money we have raised has paid for ongoing operating expenses, such as teacher salaries, 3,000 lunches each month, books and uniforms. With one-time capital gifts, we have acquired real property and built secure buildings that are profoundly impacting the lives of these dear children.

Next, we need to bring electrical power to the site, get a better water solution and provide a small computer lab for the school’s students and teachers.

We have a very dedicated Board of mature Christians, an active group of supporters and a very loving community that we serve. It is our great desire to serve more of the community and to give them a chance for lasting change.

Perhaps one of our finest days was when the older children worked to plant a church at the school building three years ago. Today, over 100 kids and adults come to church every Sunday at 3:00 to hear children read the Word and sing praises to Jesus, while a pastor brings a message. And, all of this happens virtually in the backyard of the voodoo priest who lives 100 yards away and formerly held control over the entire region.

It is an absolute joy to serve in Haiti. Haitians are friendly, affectionate and open to the message of the Gospel.

ACTION STEPS

LEARN more about Trezò: http://www.trezo.org/.
FOLLOW Trezò on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
SEE more photos of the children and the work of Trezò.
SPONSOR a child at the Espwa des Jeunes school for just $30 a month. See the names and photos of the children still waiting for a sponsor: Sponsor a Child.
DONATE to continue the ongoing work of Trezò in Haiti.