Terry In Haiti: Miquette

Yesterday after we finished working for the day, we visited a woman who teaches science at a private high school, but who also founded her own non-profit and created two private elementary schools, one here in Port-au-Prince, and one in the north near Cap Hatien. Miquette Denie grew up in poverty in Port-au-Prince. Her parents were not able to feed the entire family, and her two older siblings were given for adoption by a couple in Detroit Lakes, MN. This family remained involved with the Denie family and helped Miquette go to high school, then supported her through college in the U.S. When she finished school at Concordia College in Moorhead in 2006, she raised some money, and returned to Haiti convinced that the solutions to the problems of her country lay in education. Her non-profit, TeacHaiti, supports the two schools which have high standards, hire the best teachers available, give scholarships to students who cannot afford to pay and feed those who cannot afford to eat.

Her organization is supported primarily through donations, but most of the students are also involved in fundraising. They, their parents, and sometimes their friends attend jewelry making workshops, and make jewelry during their spare time. Miquette has a network of people and organizations who sell their jewelry. If you are interested in learning more, visit her web site.

Miquette is a soft-spoken, articulate bundle of energy. Her eyes are fiery, her laugh infectious and her incandescent smile can light up a room.