What If Foundation Holiday banner GIVE THE GIFT OF MEALS & EDUCATION Make a donation, then click here to download a Gift Card. DonateButtonWGirlTop 3 2 Other Ways to Support What If Monthly Giving Circle Shop with GoodSearch Host an Event Spread the Word The Programs You Help Fund Food Program School Scholarships After-School Program Summer Camp Visit our photo gallery: Click here afterschool computer class children waiting at food program Student group photoKristelaFlorencia studying Dear Friend of What If, A few weeks ago when I visited Port-au-Prince, our newest board member, Kate Doherty, came with me. It was Kates first time in Haiti. After our trip, Kate described to me her experiences at the food and education programs and with our partner Na Rive. Her perspective is powerful and offers fresh insight into the miracles taking place in the Ti Plas Kazo community thanks to your donations. I asked Kate to share her thoughts with you in the letter below. Thank you for supporting the What If? Foundation and Na Rive this holiday season. donate button Margaret with Lavarice Gaudin & Florencia Wishing you peace and joy, margaret_signature_dark_black Margaret Trost Founder, What If? Foundation Dear What If donors, Rosie with plates Lavarice Gaudin My background in Catholic Social Justice has brought me into contact with many nonprofits and justice communities around the world. Having volunteered in organizations in Zambia, Cambodia, Honduras, Mexico and Palestine, Ive seen amazing work, and have also seen well meaning people seriously miss the mark. Without hesitation, I can say that Im deeply impressed and inspired by the collaboration and good work of Na Rive and the What If? Foundation. Na Rive, led by Lavarice Gaudin, is a rare gem in the nonprofit world. Its staff – from those who lead the after-school program to the cooks who prepare the meals – are people from t neighborhood, with a vision and commitment to make their country a better place to live. I saw why the programs are so effective; because Na Rive knows how best to address their communitys needs, and they do this with innovation, hard work, and a lot of heart. Scholarship recipients Sisters at the food program I met a promising new generation of leaders – Na Rive recipients of What If scholarships, who are using their new-found educational tools to give back to their communities. At the food program, I saw hundreds of hungry children and mothers with infants. Lavarice said that despite daily challenges to serve as many as possible, there is always hope, always a new idea, and always a community member willing to step up and do the work. And thankfully – because of your generosity, when those ideas arise, and those people step up, there are resources to support them. This is the most powerful example of solidarity. A friendship – which started with Margaret Trost and Father Gerry Jean-Juste 15 years ago – has now grown to include many friendships among the hard-working visionaries at Na Rive and the What If staff, board and donors who help to make these visions a reality. I am deeply grateful for the time I spent in Haiti, and to have witnessed first hand the impact What If and Na Rive are having in the Ti Plas Kazo neighborhood. Gratefully yours, Kate DohertyKate Doherty Kate Doherty What If? Foundation donor and board member Oakland, CA WHAT IF? FOUNDATION Our mission: to feed and educate impoverished children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, providing hope and opportunity for a brighter future. Contact us: [email protected] | 510.528.1100 | whatiffoundation.org What If? Foundation 1563 Solano Avenue (#192) Berkeley, CA 94707 US Non-Profits Email Free with VerticalResponse!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:17:19 +0000
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