Hurricane Matthew October 4, 2016

We have had numerous inquires asking about how hurricane Matthew has affected our school in Pignon. As anticipated there was only minor damage in Pignon, which is located nearly 100 miles from the hurricane's path. There was plenty of wind and rain that created damage to homes and property but fortunately no serious injures.

The challenge for rural areas like Pignon is that when family homes are destroyed in more urban areas, like the destruction from Matthew, people migrate to unaffected rural areas to find food and shelter by staying with friends and relatives. We expected that over the next few months many people will move into the Pignon area thus putting increased strain on local services including our school. Student attendance has already increased to nearly 200 students from pre-school to 6th graders. This has been due to the commitment that Director Rimbol and his staff have made to provide an education to any child who asks. This commitment, at times, has meant that the staff forgoes getting paid in order to insure that school supplies and healthy lunches can be consistently provided.

Haiti is still dealing with ongoing challenges from the 2010 earthquake and the affects from Matthew will be felt for years. We are wholeheartedly moving forward to insure that we can continue to provide education, heath classes and school lunches for deserving students.

We know that education is the way to alleviate poverty. Your continued financial support is needed to help us meet this goal. Please go to the "How You Can Help" tab and click on the "Donate" button to set up a onetime contribution or monthly gift. Your donation will change lives in Haiti.    

Susan had the distinct pleasure of visiting the 3rd graders at Oakhurst Elementary School in California yesterday. She shared photos showing students' lives here in the US, compared to life in Haiti (school, food, water, etc.). The kids were respectful, engaged, attentive and asked very thoughtful questions. Susan said, "I think it was my favorite presentation I've done yet! When I sent a letter of thanks to teacher Mrs. Harsha, this was her response:

"Great! And thank YOU! As soon as we returned to class, students were digging into their backpacks for coins and dollars. Others were talking about bringing money next week. One little boy asked me to untie a little bag he had. It was too tight but it was time to round them up for the busses. As the last child was heading out the door I noticed Anthony at the Power of One canister. He'd managed to undo his bundle and was placing coins in the canister!

You inspired them! Your presentation was perfect showing the contrast of what they have and what the Haitians have. Mrs. Murphy wonders if it will also make them more grateful for what they do have:)"

Young children seem to make a quick connection to their counterparts in developing countries.

School Well Repairs

Jean-Ronel sent us some pictures today of repairs on the school's well. The hand-pumped well was drilled by Haiti Outreach in 2012 with support from Oakhurst Sierra, Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise and Tracy Rotary Clubs. At that time the Rotary Clubs set monies aside for future repairs. Oxidized and pitted pipes are being replaced to increase cleanliness and efficiency.

This well provides the students and staff with clean, easily accessible water. It is also opened to the community at scheduled times bringing clean water to many families in the area. Prior to the well being drilled students had to leave their class and walk to a nearby river if water was needed at school. Besides missing class time the river water is not nearly as healthy since the river is also used to water animals, wash clothing, wash cars and bathing.

 

Health and Hygiene Classes Start

We are very excited that this month we were able to start offering health and wellness classes at the school in Pignon. Classes are offered every week by a visiting nurse. She has established lesson plans that are geared to each grade level and the kids are loving it.

Healthy kids have better attendance and are able to focus more clearly while at school.

Classes will be taught on the importance of personal hygiene, proper dental care, good nutrition and how to avoid transmitted diseases like malaria, typhoid, cholera, etc. For older students classes will include how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and the role of teenagers towards one another both socially and sexually.

We are aware of the importance of healthy students and healthy families. Our Board has agreed to take on this additional financial commitment for the rest of the current school year. We are actively pursuing financial support to assure that this important program will continue in the future.

As always, thanks to Jean-Ronel Joseph and Director Rimbol for all their work in Pignon!

2015 An Exciting Time….

This has been an exciting and busy year for Be the Power of One. Your support has allowed us to maintain funding for our school in Pignon, Haiti. The school continues to grow, we are over 150 students from Pignon and the surrounding community. As a result we have increased the amount of food we provide so that we are sure each child is receiving a hot lunch every school day.

We again travelled to Pignon this year and were joined by three dynamic women from our own community; a retired teacher, a nurse and a business woman.  It was wonderful to share our experience with others who had a fresh perspective.  The trip came together quite nicely, with a comfortable room and three delicious meals a day at the Haiti Outreach Guest House.  Haiti Outreach is a non-profit that is drilling water wells throughout rural Haiti, bringing fresh, clean drinking water and reducing water-borne diseases. See them at HaitiOutreach.org. We are confident that future group trips will be just as successful.  Please let us know if you’re interested in coming with us.

The coming year looks to be full of wonderful possibilities.  A friend and fellow Rotarian in the Los Barilles Club, Baja, Mexico, shared the need for an expanded kitchen and eating area for a local school. Our board has tentatively supported this project, pending more information.  In addition, with the help of a grant writer, we are exploring the possibility of applying for grants to make several big changes to the school in Pignon, Haiti. More exciting details will follow as the grant process unfolds.

It is with your help we are able to continue the work of Be the Power of One, providing hope through education. The need for quality education is great throughout the world, indeed it is the way out of poverty for so many.  In our travels, we are humbled as we see how excited the children are to attend school and how proud their parents are. As you celebrate the New Year with friends and family, please take some time to be mindful of the blessings we all enjoy. 

Your donations are changing lives, making the world a healthier more peaceful place. Just $25 provides more than 300 healthy school meals in Haiti. Please contact us if you'd like to become a monthly donor or donate here.

June 2015 Haiti Update

We returned from Haiti about five weeks ago from a short and very busy trip to Pignon, Haiti. We had not been to Haiti in over a year and were eager to see our Haitian friends. This was a unique trip in that we took three friends along with us; Melissa Buller (Oakhurst Realtor), Rachel DeBernardi (Nurse) and Roberta Tackett (Retired Teacher). It was the first trip that Susan and I have made without traveling with Pastor Carsel. There was a bit of anxiety about our travels within Haiti and these quickly dissipated upon arriving at the office of Missionary Aviation Fellowship in Port au Prince. MAF was the air charter NGO that was going to fly us from PaP to Pignon on a six passenger Cessna. This 25 minute flight replaced the 4-12 hour drive we’ve taken in the past covering 90 brutal miles to Pignon. This is certainly the way to go!

We arrived at the Haiti Outreach Guesthouse (www.haitioutreach.org) Tuesday afternoon and after getting settled in to our rooms we met with Neil Van Dine, Country Director for the Haiti Outreach, and arranged to participate in a well inauguration on Thursday morning in the community of Lomenis.  Later that evening we meet with Director Rimbol to get an update on how things were going at the school and to hear about current needs, which include textbooks for next year and new school uniforms. We were pleased to hear that the school has grown to nearly 150 children, new teachers have been hired and now that the school offers K-6 grades they are ready to apply for their national accreditation. It was wonderful to see the excitement and smiles of the students when our group arrived at school Wednesday morning. Rachel, Melissa and Roberta immediately made lots of new friends and quickly saw what has brought Susan and me back to Haiti every year. Your financial support continues to change the lives of our students, their families and their community. These changes create healthier, more peaceful flourishing communities.

We were all honored to be present Thursday at the well inauguration in Lomenis. As is typical for Haiti, the program lasted about 2 ½ hours featuring singing, dancing, speeches from all the local dignitaries along with skits about proper use of the new well. It was heart warming to see the community pride as the ownership of the well passed from Haiti Outreach to the new Community Water Board of Lomenis. This was the culmination of 18 months of the coordinated efforts of the community and Haiti Outreach to provide clean, easily accessible water for the first time. I am thankful everyday when I turn the faucet handle and clean water comes out. This is a blessing that is very rare in many parts of the world, Haiti included.

There were so many other things that filled our time that I will only mention here as to not make this letter a novelette. We had an informative tour of the local hospital. Its fully equipped operating room serves communities throughout the region. We met with folks from Many Hands for Haiti about the possibility of providing school lunches a more affordable cost. Susan and I were excited to visit Madam Odryle’s (Pastor Carsel’s sister) home and to thank her once again for her hospitality over the years. I played, pretty poorly I might add, a few games of dominos and got soundly beaten by her children and grand children. It was also such a treat to spend some time with Jean-Ronel’s family (we love them all) and to hear the wonderful progress his brother Viladoin and sister Margerie are making with their schooling.

Haiti is a wonderful teacher and I often return from our trips with more questions than answers. Susan and I continue to educate ourselves and search for the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish the goals of Be the Power of One. I appreciate our willingness to be open to the wisdom and experience of people like Neil, who has been in Haiti for 25+ years, and our eagerness to hear the impressions of those who have seen Haiti for the first time. Rachel, Melissa and Roberta were courageous trailblazers and we look forward to offering more trips to Haiti for friends who are interested in seeing our work firsthand.

As always Susan and I are anxious and open to sharing our story with groups of all sizes whether at your home, church or club meeting. We both feel very blessed by your financial support, your words of encouragement and the hospitality and friendship we are always shown in Haiti. Be assured that progress is being made and your generosity has touched many lives in Haiti and other developing countries.

Local Rotarians Come Through….Again!

It is with GREAT appreciation to the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club (the Noon Club), sponsors and participants of this year's "Evening at Erna's" that we THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the incredibly generous donation of $3035 from the evening's proceeds. Rotarians and the staff at Erna's Elderberry House volunteer their time, energy and passion to make this an unforgettable evening. 

This donation and the continuing support of Rotarians throughout District 5220 (Central California) supports educational opportunities and clean water projects in developing communities.

Rotarians' motto of "Service Above Self" is exemplified by the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club.

Haiti Here We Come !!

We had our last organizational meeting yesterday in prep for next week's trip to Haiti. We are so looking forward to seeing our friends, sharing some activities at the school, visiting Jean-Ronel and Chedlin Michel's Kids Club of Pignon, talking with the folks at Haiti Outreach about another well project, touring the hospital and maybe even getting in some sightseeing. Very busy, very rewarding trip. 

We will have three first-time Haiti travelers with us; Melissa, a local business women, Roberta, a retired teacher and Rachel, a medical professional. We are excited about sharing our experiences and hearing their impressions of this life changing adventure. 

This will be a short trip so we are forgoing long car rides on the wicked rural Haiti roads and flying on a five passenger plane from Port-au-Prince to Pignon. The charter operations are run by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). With their weight restrictions we may not be able to take all of our school supplies with us on the flight. MAF has graciously agreed to store this excess luggage and deliver it on a future flight. We all plan to diet so we'll be allowed to bring more school supplies and soccer balls. 

So many people have stepped up to make this trip a success. They include: Mountain Area Soccer League, Drs. Brosi and Horasanian for toothbrushes and toothpaste, Rev. Sandy West for more toothbrushes (These are a huge hit with the kids at school), Mandy and Kris at Oakhurst Office Outlet, Oakhurst Rotary Clubs, Bob and Cathy Wood, Jesse Chadwick, Trudy Shields, Fran Bruner, Lauren Madden, Maggie Butterfield and so many others. 

More info and pictures later…..

More Fabulous Wine

Check this out…honored as "Winegrower of the Year" by the Madera Vintners Association Fasi Estate Winery will also be joining us in presenting and pouring their 2010 Sierra Gold at our May 10th Wine Event. Their highly regarded premium wine along with Idle Hour and Westbrook Wine Farms will insure that you'll get to experience several medal winning wines at the Queen's Inn by the River in Oakhurst, CA. Hope to see you there, live music and delicious food too!!

http://www.fasiestate.com

Graduation Day Has Arrived!

This message is from Jean-Ronel Joseph, our dear friend, who will graduate tomorrow after a two year theological program in St Vincent. He has been away from his family and home in Haiti for two years. Ours has been a relationship and friendship of mutual support. We are very proud that Jean-Ronel was the first recipient of a Be the Power of One Higher Education Scholarship. Well done!

"DEAR GOD THANK YOU FOR THOSE GREAT PEOPLE YOU HAVE SOURRENDED US HERE AT WISE WITH, TO TEACH HOW TO LOVE YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE. IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BLESSING TO BE HAVING THIS WONDERFUL PRIVILEGE TO ACCUMULATE ALL THESE KNOWLEDGES HERE AT WISE. WE, AS THE FUTURE GRADUATES ARE SO THANKFUL TOWARDS YOU GOD AND ALSO THOSE GREAT, LOVING, KIND, GENTLE...PEOPLE.
WE HAD A LAST FUN WITH THEM TONIGHT, NOT ONLY THE FACULTY TOOK US TO A NICE HOTEL IN ST VINCENT FOR DINNER BUT ALSO WE HAD GREAT FUN WHEN WE CAME BACK WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS.
IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BLESSING, THE WORK IS NOT FINISH YET; HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE TO SPRINT TO THE FINISH LINE AS OUR HOMILETICS TEACHER WOULD SAY.
IN LIFE WE GRADUATE EVERYDAY SO, WE COUNT IN YOUR PRAY SO THAT WE CAN GO BACK IN OUR COUNTRY AND USE THOSE ACCUMULATING KNOWLEDGES FOR THE PROFIT OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM, BECAUSE HE IS RISEN AND THE TOMB IS EMPTY...WE ARE VICTORIOUS...
THANK YOU EACH AND EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT WHETHER BY PRAYER, FINANCIALLY... I INTEND TO CALL EVERYONE BY NAME TO SAY THANK YOU, BUT I REALIZE FACEBOOK WON'T HAVE ENOUGH PLACE FOR THAT. I KNOW WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY THANKFULNESS TO YOU, BUT I JUST WANNA TAKE THIS SPOT IN THIS JOYFUL MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL..
I LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I REALLY ENJOY YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL...PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6

THE GRADUATES I LOVE YOU ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE….."

3rd Annual Wine Tasting Event

We are so happy that once again this year Ray and Tammy from Westbrook Wine Farm and Anna Marie and Deb from Idle Hour Winery will be providing their award winning wines for our May 10th Wine Tasting Event as at the Queen's Inn in Oakhurst, CA. Thanks for the support! BTW, Westbrook Wine Farm was awarded "Winery of the Year" and Anna Marie dos Remedios, co-owner of Idle Hour Winery, "Winemaker of the Year" by the Madera Vintners Assoc. CONGRATULATIONS and well deserved. 

Last week we meet with Shelley Arnest of Taste of Soul to finalize the menu. What an awesome menu of Haitian and Caribbean delights. Shelley's family recipes will ensure that everyone enjoys a traditional taste of the islands. 
Ya man! 

This will be a fun, entertaining evening at the Queen's Inn beautiful riverside setting. Local musicians will entertain us, Taste of Soul will be providing tasty Haitian and Caribbean appetizers to ease your hunger and award winning wines from Westbrook and Idle Hour all guarantee an unforgettable evening. 

Suggested donation $25 per person. Be the Power of One is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization



Queen's Inn: http://www.queensinn.com
Westbrook Wine Farm: http://www.westbrookwinefarm.com
Idle Hour Winery: http://www.idlehourwinery.com

Here is a "save to date" message. We have just confirmed the date of our 3rd Annual Wine Tasting Event...this year to include Oakhurst's own South Gate Brews and amazing local musical talents. So you're all welcome, and encouraged, to join us Saturday May 10th at the Queen's Inn/Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst, Ca. (www.QueensInn.com)

We will also have an amazing grand prize for our drawing at the May 10th Wine Tasting Event. Thank you Michael Ambrose for this incredible print!! All of Michael's work can be seen and purchased at Tenaya Lodge Yosemite…or won on May 10th. Tickets for the drawing will be available soon and at the event. Check out Michael's work at www.michaelambrose.com 

Michael working on location.

Yosemite Valley - Tunnel View

What a year it has been….

Be the Power of One 2013 Summary

As we come to the end of 2013 we look back on a year of reflection, growth, accomplishments and great joy. Our Board of Directors would like to thank you for the support and encouragement you have given to Be the Power of One this year. Your gifts have changed the lives of so many children and families.

Our annual trip in August gave us an opportunity to once again coordinate the summer program at Institution Vallee d'Adoration et Benediction in Pignon, Haiti. It is such a wonderfully exhausting week for us. By week’s end the program that includes school lessons, craft projects, singing and plenty of outdoor fun attracts more than 200 children a day. When the week concludes, craft supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, small toys and gifts are given to each student. We are also able to provide students a nutritious lunch each day. Your ongoing support and our fundraising events have allowed us to pledge funds that will cover 60% of the school expenses for 120 year round students.

 Spending time at the school gives us a chance to witness how the community well, drilled with Rotary support in 2011 by Haiti Outreach, continues to profoundly affect the entire community. With a source close by, women and children no longer have to walk long distances to provide water for their families. The well is also a social center were folks of all ages interact as they wait for their turn at the pump. We spent time with the founder and executive director at Haiti Outreach and look forward to working with them on larger water projects.

Jean-Ronel Joseph the recipient of our first “Higher Education Scholarship” continues to excel in his two-year theological program at the Windward School of Evangelism in St Vincent. After graduating this coming April he will return to Haiti, and we look forward to having Jean-Ronel as our primary contact there. His English skills will quickly prove invaluable. We are so proud of his accomplishments and know that his hard work has changed his entire family’s future. Now we start the application and interview process for our next scholar.

Looking forward to 2014 we know we have our work cut out for us. We have committed in principle to partnering with Haiti Outreach in drilling five more community wells, a number of high school graduates have approached us regarding college scholarships and we are exploring opportunities to support other schools.                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                 These are ambitious goals for Be the Power of One.

Your support and encouragement will make this all possible. The work of Be the Power of One has already changed so many lives and 2014 is the year to step it up! As you make your year end contributions please consider an additional gift to Be the Power of One. Every dollar makes a huge impact in Haiti and 97% of each dollar goes directly to program expenses.

Please feel free to call with any questions. As always we welcome any opportunity to speak to your friends, churches or service clubs.

First Higher Education Scholar Nears Program Completion

Nearly two years ago Jean-Ronel Joseph received Be the Power of One's first scholarship to attend a college or university program. Jean-Ronel applied and was accepted to attend the West Indies School of Evangelism (WISE) for their two year Associates Degree in Theology. He has been an outstanding student in his theological studies as well as the English and computer programs. Jean-Ronel has helped us from day one with our work in Pignon and we are so proud of his accomplishments. His hard work has changed his life and will continue to have a positive effect on his community and his entire family tree. The positive rippling effects of his work are incalculable.

Headed towards a spring 2014 graduation Jean-Ronel has asked for some final financial support as he transitions from student to community leader. Below is a copy of a recent letter from Jean stating his gratitude and needed support. Please consider partnering with us in supporting this final step in Jean-Ronel's education. Gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated and will be well used. Donations using PayPal can be made at the "How You Can Help" page or mailed to Be the Power of One, Post Office Box 1636, Oakhurst, CA 93644.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!!

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that you and your surroundings are doing magnificently great in the Lord.

I wanted to take this time to thank you (Tim), Susan and the board of Be the power of One for what you have been doing in my community (Pignon) which is extremely useful to me particularly. Thank you for your generosity, specifically your prayers, your financial support, and also being involved in my learning of God’s words at every standpoint here at WISE. To be honest this is like a pipe dream come true to me, and it tastes really palatable to my soul, arm and body. I feel like God is moving in my life by putting you all guys by my sides the same as He did for Timothy by putting Apostle Paul on his side to support him throughout his ministry.

I know it is not an easy task brother, but your reward is not going to be an earthly reward but a heavenly eternal reward (Mark 9:41); this passage of scripture says you cannot lose whatever you do for someone who is belong to Christ. As I have told you in our small conversation about some of the things that I am going to be in need of, in my preparation not only for graduation, but also in my heading to home sooner. Here are the needs that I would love you to see in what ways you can help provide with…The ticket = $ 246 USD, 4 long shirt sleeves including a white one with a red tie for graduation to put under the garment ($25 each) ; 4 dress slacks ($30); a pair of Dressing shoes ($60); a pair of sneakers ($35), a luggage for books and notebooks ($50), and the last of all is a 4GB jump drive($25).

Thank you again my brother for your loving-kindness and your passion to help those who are in need; Remember even if you’re doing what is good for God’s glory but that can happen you cope with hardship sometimes but notice if God is pleased with what you’re doing who can be against you?( Romans 8:31), the answer is no one."    

July 2013 Trip Summary

This is the fourth trip that we have made to Pignon, Haiti and we will forever have our hearts and souls connected to the country and our friends who live there.

For a week in July, with the help of eight Haitian friends and Destany Morgan from Coarsegold, we put on a summer program for the children of the community. As in past years this program was at the Vallee d’Adoration et Benediction (Valley of Adoration and Benediction) Elementary School in Pignon. The entire program is done in a single 20’ X 30’ classroom with no air conditioning and minimal ventilation. Along with singing both Creole and English songs (the Hokey-Pokey is still a favorite), creating craft projects (including edible bracelets made with licorice whips and Fruit Loops) and Bible stories there was plenty of outdoor recreation. Being outdoors gives the kids time to burn off some of their apparently unlimited energy as well as give us a chance to catch our breaths. The week typically starts with about 100 kids and by the end of the week that number has grown to over 250. We try to arrange lunches each day and on Friday we give each student a toothbrush and toothpaste along with some small gifts. The news of lunches and gifts spreads throughout the community and as a result this year we hit a record of 292 kids on Friday. It was a madhouse and lots of fun. The week is not only fun for the kids it gives parents a break knowing that their children will be well supervised and entertained. We feel blessed to have the energy, support and encouragement to continue this program.

We also worked on some long term planning issues for future efforts in Haiti. Included in this was setting up an account for the school at the Fonkoze Bank in Pignon. Fonkoze is an international organization that provides banking services in developing countries. This account will allow us to deposit money directly into the school account without going through Pastor Carsel’s church in Florida. It will also allow us to track expenditures. When we make these trips we typically stay in a Haitian family’s home. This can present a number of challenges including lack of running water and electricity, communication barriers and inconvenience for the host families. While we have chosen to accept these challenges as part of the experience we are not comfortable asking others to do the same. Since we have a number of friends and family who would like to make a trip to Haiti and not face as many challenges, we spent our last night in the guesthouse at Haiti Outreach -http://www.haitioutreach.org . It was a treat for us and the perfect spot to house others making future trips. The guesthouse has hot and cold running water, electricity, flush toilets, internet and offers three meals a day. Future trips will be housed at Haiti Outreach. The time we spend with Haiti Outreach Founder, Neil Van Dine, and Executive Director Dale Snyder was invaluable. Each has over 20 years of working, and in Neil’s case living, in Haiti. They shared their experiences, past mistakes and cultural insights with us. We felt like this information took years off our learning curve. We look forward to making a clear and ambitious commitment to working with Haiti Outreach on some larger countrywide programs. It was inspiring to spend time with them.

As always we are happy to be back. We feel grateful each and every day for the abundance and comforts we enjoy at home. These trips have had such a positive effect on our lives and those of our family and friends. Every trip we learn more about ourselves and what is important in living a life that benefits the greater good.

We are very blessed.