By Jessica Reineking
I find it difficult to put into words my experience during my short time at Louverture Cleary. I was given the opportunity to see how the lives of children and young adults in Haiti are being changed daily through the efforts of the Haitian Project. During my visit I observed the stark contrast between the living conditions in Haiti and those we in the US take for granted. I know that what I saw was only a fraction of the poverty that exists there. However at Louverture Cleary I also encountered many similarities between the students and myself.
I have always grown up knowing I could do and be anything I was willing to work for. I saw the same assurance in the students that attend LCS. LCS has given its students the same ability to dream and just as important, the chance to fulfill those dreams. I also noticed that the ambitions of the students at LCS were not self serving. The majority of the students I talked to wanted to become diplomats, doctors and other careers of service. The sense of service that the students, faculty and volunteers possess is simply contagious. When set into an environment so focused on self improvement as a way to serve others, one can only look to see how he or she is using his or her talents and blessings to benefit those less fortunate.
To be more specific about my time there, during the week I was at LCS, the school was buzzing with activities. Graduation was less than a week away when I arrived. Students were constantly employing themselves about campus with graduation preparations. There was also a special going away celebration for the Moynihan family. If it is possible to see in one night how many lives ten years of service can change, the sentiments shared by students and faculty that evening certainly expressed a large part of it.
Throughout the week, days were filled with endless activities. From installing solar panels to cooking and cleaning, the work was hard but fulfilling. Evenings were spent talking about the day's accomplishments and tasks for the next day. The entire experience provided a sense of community and purpose. The graduation ceremony ended the week. It was a blessing to see first hand the rewards of the hard work of the students and those who have supported the Haitian project. I was very blessed to see firsthand the way the futures of the young men and women of Haiti are being brightened everyday through the success of Louverture Cleary and the grace of God.