Learning and Dreaming : Back to School

Written by: Ashley Leonard, Heartline Sponsorship Coordinator

We love this time of year. Children decked out in brightly colored school uniforms, clutching carefully packed backpacks, eyes full of nervousness and excitement.

As we gather with sponsored students and their families to prepare for a new school year, we are reminded what an incredible gift it is to be a part of these children’s lives. Their eager smiles and tender spirits fill us with a renewed sense of hope.

We also feel the weight and pain of this time of year. For many families in Haiti, September brings anxiety as parents desperately try to come up with the funds required to send their children back to school.

Education is a gift that is not taken for granted in Haiti. We are tremendously thankful for the dedicated Heartline sponsors and generous donors that provide these precious children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

We recently spent time talking with each sponsored student about their hopes and dreams for the future. For many of these children and their families, the enormous challenges and struggles of day-to-day life leave little time or energy to focus on goals and plans that are years away.

We cherish the opportunity to encourage the children to dream beyond their circumstances and consider their heart’s desires for the future. Many of the children had never before been asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and were delighted to share their hopes for the future.

We’d like to share some of these beautiful dreams with you. Please join us in praying for these and all other Heartline sponsored students and their families throughout the school year.

“I want to be a seamstress so I can have my own business!” – Dieunika

“I want to be an engineer so I can build houses. I would like to build a home for my mom.” – Gilberto

“I want to be a driver because I love cars!” – Elie

“I want to be a nurse so I can help other people.” – Galancia

“I want to be a rancher so I can raise animals to help the community.” – Bedjo

“I want to be a mechanic so I can fix broken vehicles. I think I would do a great job!” – Olson

“I want to be a surgeon so I can improve and save lives. It’s my passion.” – Angeline

“I want to be a journalist because I like learning more about my community and country.” – Gayardo

“I want to be a doctor because I want to take care of people and help them get better.” – Franceska

“I want to be a high school math and science teacher. I’m good at those subjects and would like to help students by sharing what I know.” – Monica

“I want to be an architect because I love drawing. I want to make amazing plans for modern homes.” – Juan Edouardo

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. – Forest Witcraft

*We are thrilled that all of the students in Heartline’s sponsorship program are currently sponsored. If you would like to learn more about future sponsorship opportunities, please email ashley@heartlineministries.org.