Fifteen-year-old Choeurline is one of the lucky ones. Or shall we say, truly blessed ones. Her family of 10 all survived Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. That’s one blessing. They lived more than a year in a tent camp but moved back into their damaged Petionville home because they deemed it safer than the crime-ridden camp. That there was enough of their house left to go back to is blessing number two.
Choerline’s mom makes a meager income as a vendor in the street market while her dad gets sporadic work as a mason. Putting enough food on the table every day is a constant a struggle, nevermind coming up with fees, books, uniforms and supplies to send the kids to school! Blessing number three: Choeurline is able to go to school anyway thanks to her Cross Catholic-funded scholarship through Outreach to Haiti — and she’s doing great!
Choerline plans to eventually use her education to bless others. Her dream: To become a pediatrician because she wants to help people, particularly children and the extremely poor. Imagine that.
-Nola B.