To my friends, family and supporters,
This is my heart. Thank you for taking the time to read this and join in with me on my journey.
I have always thought that one day I would find “it”, I would find that thing that fills my dream, the project that I really am so joyful to put my name and whole being towards.
I have traveled to Haiti 3 times since in the last year and a half, and each time I flew back to Abbotsford I knew that it would not be my last visit in Haiti. I had peace about this, but I still did not know what my future time there would look like. On my most recent trip to Haiti, for the second portion of the trip, I branched out and decided to volunteer with a different organization. . I was apprehensive at first to leave the place I had been at for my two previous trips, and first portion of this trip, but soon knew that this new place was exactly where I needed to be and should be. I felt independent yet supported and a part of a team with like-minded peers. I was able to express my passions and desires, and put them in to action with the help of leadership that recognized my skills and abilities.
The 8 weeks I worked and spent time there opened many doors and presented me with opportunities that over exceeded my dreams. I knew that I would KNOW when the right thing came along, that has proven to be the case. I have already encountered some discouraging and tough situations, and know that there will be more to come in the future, but I am hopeful and so excited for the things that are in process and that are yet to come.
The idea is, that when I return to Haiti this fall I will be there long term. To some this could feel scary but I really got to experience the ‘everyday life’ this last time in Haiti and I learnt so much about myself that I know now was a preparation for this journey ahead. OnebyOne and A.S.A.P. are simply names we have created, but they are names put to the goals, plans and dreams that are being put in to action with the help of others. The need in Haiti is great, the urgency is high and the task is daunting BUT together a change can be made.
Evens Lanot and Angela Mohr are the names behind A.S.A.P and OnebyOne. Our hearts desire is to make a change. We have seen the urgency and seen the need, and have decided to take action. We know that it will take time, but none of the children in Haiti are lost causes, they are all worth our time, our energy and our recourses. As Soon As Possible; which is now; let’s have a positive effect on each life we encounter, and One-by-One we can make a new Haiti for the future.
Written by: Angela Mohr
How you can be a part of the Kids Today, Adults Tomorrow Program
1. Log onto my blog for the updates and success stories as amazing things start to happen:
Your support and encouragement will be needed as I am on this journey!
www.alm-onebyone.blogspot.com
YOU DID IT, YOU ARE HERE ON MY BLOG!!!
2. Giving Opportunities:
KEEP SAVING YOUR BOTTLES! I have been doing bottle collections (for refund) for 2.5 months, and this will continue once I have returned to Haiti with the great help from some friends and family! Stay in touch for bottle drop off locations etc. Money raised to date is $350
Or:
The initial funds required for Phase 1 to complete the three month Art Program/ Me, hands in Haiti
$3,678
We can achieve this goal if…
· 41 people gave a $1 a Day for 90 days
· One time donations for a specific project or supplies
At this time we are looking to secure a Not for Profit Organization or Partner so your donations are tax refundable. Updates to follow
Please help me get back to where my heart is, and doing the work I am most passionate about.
Read more for information about the budget for Phase 2, and long term plans.
For Phase 2 to be achieved and OneByOne to continue on, we will be looking for supporters to pledge annual amounts or donate to specific projects as the funds required are approximately $5000 a month.
We have prepared a budget to outline the funds required. contact me for full detailed budgets.
KIDS TODAY, ADULTS TOMORROW
PROJECT
OBJECTIVE:
Create a community center for the street kids where they can come anytime to have foods, clothes, take a shower and rest if they need. To create an environment where each kid feels welcome and comfortable. Have an orphanage for the kids to stay at and study at till they become adults, at the age of 18.
INTRODUCTION:
January 12th 2010 added thousands of children to the already estimated 350 000 orphans in Port-au-Prince, and an approximate 2000 of those kids are living on the street (based on a February 21st 2011 report by UNICEF) All these children are having a hard life. They are under the influence to take part in of drugs, prostitution and violence to survive and most of them; if we let them grow in the streets with no education; will become a danger in society. The goal of ‘Kids Today, Adults Tomorrow’ will be to change those statistics. The project will provide a safe place for these children where they will receive food, clothes, medical aid and most of all an education. Education will be the main focus, but we know their basic needs must be met first and in combination with teaching.
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT:
PHASE 1: Educate the Children
A psychologist will evaluate each child, their talents will be identified and they will find specialized help to develop and improve their personal capacities. For those who don’t know how to read and write they will be able to learn the basic subjects in our literacy program and other subjects such as computer, French and English, art, sport, dance etc. For the children who had started school before, we will have a program built for them to continue their education. We will assess the level the children are at and place them accordingly into the program. These children will also have to attend the vocational school we will run.
PHASE 2: Educate the Parents
We know we should attack the problem from its foundation. This is exactly why the second phase of our project will be establishing vocational schools for the parents in neighbourhoods such as cite soleil, bel’air, la saline, cite de l’eternal, fort national, etc. These neighbourhoods are the poorest in Port-au-Prince and are referred to as the ghettos. A change needs to happen here desperately.
They will be able to learn a skill (sewing for example) from 3 to 12 months for free. With these skills learnt they would be able to work for themselves and have the confidence to earn money to support their families. Doing these things in turn will reduce the kids in the streets. We know how important it is to help these kids but it would be in vain if our only focus was to take them off the streets. Having parents that can provide for their children will reduce the number of street kids in the city and also will increase the social and health condition of the family.
PHASE 3 and on:
Introduce opportunities and networks that are available for future studies, work experience and employment. Empowering individuals to the possibilities available, to be a positive part of the new Haiti for the future. Taking their future into their own hands
Long-term
Allow phase one and two to develop, grow and evolve naturally. We will look to pass on the leadership of these programs and concepts to be run by locals that have come on board. This will provide the ability for a permanent location. Providing a recourse centre for the program to expand and be an example for others to duplicate all phases in other areas of need.
INITIAL GOALS:
Phase 1 Goals: have an open door to a safe environment and provide opportunities for kids in the streets. Help them build their personalities threw education and make them have a positive role in society of the new Haiti.
Phase 2 Goals: Provide opportunities for parents to be apart of a change in the future. Enable them to utilize their skills and education with confidence to pass on to the next generations.
STEPS FOR EACH PHASE:
PHASE 1:
1st Step
· Find 15 recipients to start (Boys & Girls)
· Create a file for them that will include name, date of birth if they know it, location of birth, and also a medical record.
· Start a 3 month Art Program with the 15 children
· Reinforce the budget for a better management for the execution of this project, both short and long term.
2nd Step
· Create a secure place for the kids to learn. For the children who had been attending school, they will return, and the rest will attend our literacy program. Teach them computer, French, English, art, music, dance, etc…
· Make sure a doctor and a psychologist evaluate them. Maintain regular check-ups by a doctor to be sure they are healthy, and their medical needs are being met.
· Create a library for them where they can read and a place for them to discover new things.
PHASE 2&3:
3rd Step
· Incorporate parents into education programs
· Set up vocational schools in variety of areas
4th Step
· Buy a piece of land to be confident that the kids will have a home for a long period
· Find funds to help them attend the university to study the subject of their choice in the future
· Search contact so that on each vocation there can have work experience in their special field and earn money
· Connect them with potential employers
WHO WE ARE:
Angela Mohr- ONEBYONE Foundation
Evens Lanot - A.S.A.P: Developed the art program and is the hands on artistic instructor. Passionate towards kids on the street specifically and currently working with street kids to better their lives.
Dr. REV.Frinel JOSEPH - FOMES (Fondation les Mains de l’Espoir): A non-profit organization, created July 1997 in Haiti to ameliorate the life conditions of the kids and the population in general.
Carlo Larosa - THE ORPHANAGE SMDT: Currently a home of 25 kids. Initial 3-month art program was run here, started by Evens and Angela. Providing hands on support and an example of a structure for the Kids Today, Adults Tomorrow Program. www.smdtorphanage.org
And many more working together to bring the Kids Today, Adults Tomorrow Project to reality.
VALIDATION:
This project is very important especially for kids who became orphans after the earthquake, some of them have found help from a neighbour or just someone who want to help them and some just live in the street. It is a very difficult life for most of them because they are not used life in the streets, and are now forced to turn to begging and stealing to survive. They may have started school but now can’t go because of lack of financial support. This is a situation that will increase the level of poverty, crime and prostitution if the nothing is done.
This situation is daunting and overwhelming. But One By One, little by little change can happen. Each child is worth our time and effort, in the end the change will be substantial. We also know that all these things would not be as effective if we do not make sure that each child is healthy, they are not suffering of malnutrition etc… so our goal will be combining the development of each child’s talents, education, heath, and quality of life.
