I want to share the story of a close-knit, fun, and happy Haitian family! Why? Because there is HOPE in the midst of chaos. There is hope for the future. When an opportunity is available, there’s potential for change!
The Ambranne Family…
I first met the twins, Fransley & Francia, when they were preschoolers. I actually met their mother, Monette, before they were born! And had visited their tiny concrete block 2-room home several times. It’s within walking distance of Apparent Project.
You walk carefully through the ravine. When it rains, the ravine is filled with a torrent of water, depositing trash & transporting little creatures that float down the “temporary” river during the storm. It dries out quickly, so people regularly use the ravine to easily get to “Little Claireville” where the Ambranne family lives. The ravine often has pigs & goats scrounging around the trash for some food. Need to watch your step!!!
Several years ago Monette wanted to show me the new tiles on the floor of her home! She had used money that she earned working as a housekeeper to purchase the tiles for her main room. Definitely an upgrade from the bare concrete floor! She was so proud!
When you enter the Ambranne house from outside, you enter the “main room” of a 2-room house. On the left is a double bed… almost completely filling the left side of the room. There’s a narrow walkway through the middle, and a large dining room table that fills the area on the right side. The walkway in the middle leads to a curtain. On the other side of the curtain is another tiny room where all 7 kids sleep. Monette once told me that they look like fish lined up next to each other! Tight quarters!
There are steps around the outside wall going up to the rooftop which will eventually have 3 more very small rooms. The last time I visited, the walls were in place upstairs, but there was no roof. However, there was a great view of the sky! It’s been at least 10 years since the first visit. Maybe next time the roof will be in place, and the kids won’t be sleeping like sardines in a can!
The Book…
In 2019, we talked about the possibly of creating a picture book about Haiti in general, and include interesting information about a family whose child attends AP Haiti childcare or school. I immediately thought of the twins… Fransley & Francia! These kids are characters!!!
My relationship & connection with Monette was strong, so I asked her & her husband if we could photograph them & their home and be able to share what we learned about their family in a picture book about Haiti. It was a yes! After the book was published, we sold copies or gave them as gifts to donors so they could feel more connected to our AP Haiti families. *Available at markethaiti.com.
We also gave a book to the Ambranne family! A special treat for them! When we delivered the book, I asked if there was anything we could do for them. The immediate response came from their oldest daughter! “I want to learn computers!”
The Opportunity…
What a fantastic opportunity to bless this family!!! The AP Institute provides job skills training! We train people in typing, basic English & basic computer skills!
A couple hours later, all 7 Ambranne kids walked through the ravine to the AP building! They were thrilled to spin around on the computer chairs & roll everywhere! It was definitely a party! We also shared food with the kids. They were obviously hungry… and grateful! When they finished eating, they cleaned the table, and saved some food to take home to their parents.
Very thoughtful, well trained, fun and loving kids! I was impressed! They are a happy, close-knit family! Rich in relationships!!!
The Results…
The 2 oldest kids, teenagers Hacheley & Fedwidge, were offered free AP Institute training! They both understood some English but typing & computer training weren’t part of the public school curriculum. Computer training in Haiti is costly & the Ambranne family couldn’t afford it. Both Hacheley & Fedwidge completed our training… and did well!
Fedwidge continues to practice her typing, computer & English skills at API, and has also completed a sewing training in the area. She is ready to start earning money as a seamstress!
When Hacheley graduated from high school, he was hired as an assistant to Pierre who is our AP Schools Director. Pierre is also the AP Institute Director & teacher. Hacheley is a natural teacher. When he was attending the public school, if the teacher didn’t show up, he taught the class! So he actually finished high school with experience as a teacher. He is brilliant, a fast learner… lots of fun… a joy to be around! He is like a sponge soaking up everything he can learn. He continues to grow & learn new skills and has become a valued employee at AP.
Hacheley & Pierre both completed courses in advanced software skills through Carnegie Mellon & Michigan State University. They will begin teaching others under the guidance of the experienced software engineer who trained them. Both Hacheley & Pierre grew up in humble circumstances, each of them as 1 of 7 kids, experiencing a deep level of poverty. They appreciate & take advantage of the opportunities given to them.
But wait… there’s more!
The youngest Ambranne child, Francescarlie, began attending AP preschool a couple years ago & is now enrolled in our Kindergarten. She is a joy & a delight!!! That’s 5 of the 7 children. The other two sisters will be able to enroll in our job skills training in the next year or two.
These opportunities have already brought change to the Ambranne family. Who knows what plans God has for each of them. I’m grateful to serve in ways that can bring lasting results… with the potential to bring change & to influence many people and groups in Haiti! Yes… they need to do the work & learn the skills. But the door is wide open!
This is what Apparent Project provides… Opportunity, and HOPE!
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Making a difference in the lives of our Haitian friends!
