Sphygmomanometers

The week of learning about bio-medical equipment begins by learning about blood pressure meters.  To be able to fix a piece of equipment one must know how it works.  Mackenzy, Elie, Jhonny and Jivenson are pleased to become professional sphygmomanometer technicians.  They reported yesterday that they took a test and successfully passed with flying colors!  Of course I had no doubt they would.  The improvement of the world begins with the empowerment of the individuals!

Future Bio-medical equipment technicians

I would like to announce the acceptance of four of the future leaders of Haiti into the Rotary Bio-medical equipment technician program. The students each received a full scholarship for a two year program where they will learn how to install and repair medical equipment. The Rotary Tech program has also committed to accepting more of my students in 2013 when the next class begins. I would like to congratulate Elie Francois, Mackenzy Désir, Jivenson Joseph and Jhonny Lindor for their commitment to furthering their education, learning English and helping their country. If you would like to help pay for their transportation by bus to the city about 60 miles from where they live, (not included in the scholarship) please let me know. I am one proud mom and teacher!

Elie

MacKenzy

Jhonny

Jivenson

Laurent Lamothe

"Fok Pep La Jwenn"

@vickisvision thank you

— Laurent Lamothe (@LaurentLamothe) July 8, 2012

Beautiful Haiti

Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, the Haitian Minister of Tourism, has set out to change the image of Haiti.  In support of her efforts I would like to add my own pictures for your viewing pleasure.  I am confined to a 36 acre plot of land on the outskirts of Port au Prince.  Here are some of the beautiful sights within a 10 minute walk. Just think of what you could see on a couple hour walk through the countryside.

Long Term Development

I sit here day after day contemplating how to best help my students. I've come to the realization the best way is not to ask someone to give them money, send them some clothes or even pay for the food they eat. Sure, all of those things make us feel great about ourselves and usually those things are a pretty easy sell, but they aren't really focused on what my students need most which is skills to use for long term development of themselves and their country. They need to be connected to a whole sphere of networks that are working towards productivity and change. Then need tuned into people like Teach the World Online, that teaches them free English. They need to be hooked up with Global Panel Solutions-Haiti which offers them classroom instruction on construction skills and then takes them from the classroom to the building site for hands on learning. Once they've accomplished those goals they need an introduction to entrepreneurs around the world who want to take an accomplished construction worker to the next step by providing him micro financing and personal guidance. Finally they need the support of their government to allow them to make the changes they know so well that their country needs. Then and only then will we have focused on what my students need the most - long term development of themselves and their country.

I am reaching out to those of you that can provide the support my students need. Step up to the plate, support Teach the World Online and Global Panel Solutions-Haiti. If you are a successful business person offer to take one of my students under your wing, provide them the necessary guidance that they need to become successful. If you are a member of their government, reach out to them, call them, send them a letter express your appreciation for their steadfast desire to achieve long term development of themselves and their country.

It takes a village to build a country!

Let's think outside the box!

I've been saying that we need to change how the kids are taught in Haiti since I started teaching there.  They have thousands of kids from 5 to 25 who are at so many different levels. Some have never attended school, some have gone to school for a year or two or maybe only a few months.  We need to gather them up and teach them at their level regardless of their age. We need to teach vocations to the kids who are 12 and older.  Skip the well rounded education, help them get skills that they can use to get a job. If we can't teach them skills that will help them get a job... 10 years from now Haiti will be full of young adults that have never been to school and have no employable skills.  What will be left for them? Begging or thieving.  Annie and I have hatched a plan!  GPSI-Haiti is on it's way kids!