A Special Gift to the children in Haiti....

[John D.]

I'm always a bit humbled and overwhelmed when folks step forward to support our 501(c)3 - Project Rennwish. And this month - just a little bit moreso... Let me explain....

Over the years, we have built an orphanage, a few schools, have scholarship programs for those who show real desire to succeed, foster Mothers and foster children in their care, a number of street boys, etc...

Honestly - it has been the centerpiece to any success I've enjoyed through my life and far surpasses anything I could claim as being "as my success" for it more to the credit of those who shared those same dreams, visions and supported the success of our programs. So to each and all of you - simply "Thank You"...

As many of you know, the orphanage and the schools are now self-sustaining, as our mission wasn't to operate them, but rather "build them" and turn them over to the Pastors to maintain them into perpetuity. And for that Pastors Andre and Pastor Vilnor have done an amazing job. The orphanage cares for nearly 100 children and adolescents both living at the facility as well as those others from area villages.

The schools? Are amazing. Pastor Vilnor has over 300 full time students - from pre-school through 11th grade, and it is now in it's fifth year of operation (has it really been that long??!) and we've had over two-hundred graduations - and several have progressed into the University with the Scholarship Program Rennwish has in place...

While we are still involved with the schools/orphange - it is to ensure that standards are being maintained, raise funds or be the "fail safe", so we are still involved - but in a different way then the actual "construction", as it were...

Lastly - each and every month - we do support a group of older ladies who care for youngsters in our care. The monthly amount depends on needs - school, food, cloths, medical expenses - etc. Some months (school entry fees, books) it can be as much as $1000 and some months - quite less - roughly $450 - $500...

Which leads me up to this month - which is special - in many ways... And I just wanted to say "Thank You" to a very special couple on this forum. Last month, they made a donation in Memory of their daughter, and wanted her to be recognized in some special way... To their wishes - here is what I just sent to Denise (Denise is my "sister" in Haiti who is my "right hand" for the foster Mothers/children)..

Here is what I wrote:

Bsr Denise. Jodia m'ap voye ou de $500 dola, kontwole #XXXXX a WU pou manman yo ak tout pitit li nan mwa sa a pou lekol yo, toiles ak kek ladan pou nou manje. Mwa sa a yon ti kras espesyal paske mesye et madam Lyon fe l'fe nou konnen, pa bliye pitit fi yo. Rele l'se Kathryn Ann et li va viv ak Bondye ak Jezi, li pral domi pran nou, moun nan peyi Dayiti a l'kado espesyal pou yo. Tanpri, de madanm mwen, mesye & madam Lyon yo ak m - yon gwo anbrase mwa sa a pou tout moun yo ak manman yo de Kathryn Ann. Fre ou nan Etazini - John

Now - that might not mean much - but, I'm hoping this does:

Good afternoon, Denise. Today I send you $500 USD control #XXXXXX from WesternUnion for the mothers and all the children for this month for their schools, cloths and some for food. This month it is a little special because a Mr. and Mrs. Lyon do it to have you know and remember their daughter. Her name is Kathryn Ann and she goes to live with God and Jesus and will be watching the children in Haiti through her special gifts to them. Please, from my wife, Mr. and Mrs. Lyon and me - a big hug this month to all the children and the mothers from a special gift to remember Kathryn Ann. Your brother in the USA, John

Bill....

Simply....

Thank you, my friend.

John Dunkle