Many have heard stories passed down from other generations about the plight of school transportation. Walking 5 miles, in the snow, barefoot, uphill both ways. While there is inflated truth within that, it doesn't compare to the story I heard today. We had the privilege of visiting the Centre D'Education Integree (CEI) in La Montagne up the mountain from Jacmel.
Classroom Buildings
Young Scholars, World Changers
When Verbo, the founder of CEI, was 11 years old be began in the 1st grade. He could not start earlier because if the distance to the nearest school. Verbo traveled two hours to school down the step mountain into Jacmel. He traveled two hours back home far, far up the mountain.
So think of this... and eleven year old is starting school and travels four hours by foot to reach his classes. That is dedication. To add to the inspiration of the story... his parents, Mama and Papa Verbo have 10 children. Every single one attended school. They believed in the power of education so much in order to make sacrifices for 10 children to attend school. Unheard of!
Mama Verbo, that's what everyone calls her!
Verbo attended university and has a degree in law. He told us that his dream was always to start a school in his home community so that children would not have to walk into Jacmel in order to receive an education. We saw the fruits of his dream today.
Main Office
CEI is a K-6 grade school up the mountain from Jacmel. We took a standing tap tap on the hour long ride to get there. In the truck we waded a river, dodged trees and bounced around all the way up the mountain. And there are bruises to prove it!
Standing tap tap ride up and down the mountain
At the top was the school and the Verbo family home. As soon as we arrived children were peering from the open doors of the classrooms. Sorry teachers! Verbo welcomed our team and began sharing his story. However, he didn't stop there.
Kindergarten Graduates
Verbo's face lit up as he shared his hopes and dreams for CEI. He would like to expand to grades 6-8. They have made plans to start a community garden that the parents can participate in. He looks for ways to not only enrich the lives of his students, but also their families. A church in Ohio comes yearly to work to train teachers. They are also starting a program to provide families with a goat to be a sustainable generator of income.
The kindness in Verbo's heart shone through his eyes and his words. There is some financial responsibility expected from the families. However, Verbo noted that he would never send the children home for lack of payment.
The radical dedication to education from his parents and now through him is affecting an entire generation of their community. The smiles on the children's faces demonstrate the dignity that education brings to all people. Education is a pathway out of poverty. Both individually and also collectively.
This young scholar rode the tap tap back down the mountain with us.
There is not a doubt in my mind that she will change the world!
For more info about Centre D'Education Integree... www.facebook.com/CEI
For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org
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