A letter from Jean Marc, past president of CRJMAS… Where there is love there is hope. Our lives have been significantly transformed by the meaning of these two words, “love and hope”, and through people whom God has placed us on their hearts. At a certain point in time, I realized that nothing else was as important than the opportunities that our beloved friends could provide. In 2003, my older sister Michele, my two little brothers, Noel, Coffy and I were brought to the orphanage named King’s Garden based in Port-au Prince, Haiti. It was such a paradise, not by the way it looked but because it was filled with joy and love. Neither my sister, my brothers or myself knew how to read, and so was the case for most of the orphans there. At home, our parents couldn’t afford to send us to school. I was 12 years old, not knowing what was in store for me. At King’s I went to school and was part of another family. When I turned 18, I eventually left the orphanage as an adult and was sent back home to relatives, similar to all others that turned 18. But still I wasn’t left alone. Through Hearten Haiti Project I was given the support to continue going to school and later attend college. Adding to that, I was sponsored monthly for almost 9 years, which allowed me to have food and to meet other necessary needs like transportation to school and school supplies when needed. Those opportunities meant a lot to me; they gave me hope for the future that I didn’t have before. It was such a blessing and a privilege for which I will always be thankful. Yet, there are many other kids that need to be placed on the right path. In fact, this continued support is vital to these young people. God willing later many of them in return will do the same for others. For it is says in Matthew 25: 35-36 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…” therefore we are all called to love especially when we know the difference it makes in a dying world. The opportunities that you provide for these young souls are monitored and given through Hearten Haiti project as it has always been. Hearten Haiti assists in their educational growth. These opportunities are precious, and the difference they make are tremendous. Please give as to your heart and these young lives will be blessed. Let there be hope as long as there is love. Thank you and may God bless you! Jean Marc