March 10, 2011

Wilkerson Here:

• Roughly half of Haitians are illiterate, especially in rural areas like the Northwest.
• 80 percent of Haitian children who attend school attend private schools.
• Haiti’s per capita GDP is $480 (US) a year, and school fees are prohibitively expensive at an estimated $70 – $80 dollars a year per child.

NWHCM schools target the lowest-income students in a community, offering them classes and Christian teaching from pre-school to the sixth grade.  They provide an education that sharpens young minds.  The school in Saint-Louis du Nord also offers classes for deaf and blind children.  Since all the classrooms are staffed by Haitian teachers, the schools provide valuable jobs to Haitians in a region where most people are unemployed.  They also combat malnutrition and hunger through the schools.  More than a thousand children receive daily meals in the school-lunch program – without which, many would eat almost nothing.  Your contributions will go for clean water, food and medical help for these people.  We could use your help now. 

Training Prep:  Did a combo work out tonight.  Did a swim (Getting a little better.  Heater was broken in the pool and it was cold).  Then went into a spinning class and rode the bike with the class and finish a 10 mile ride.  Tomorrow is a day off but may try to do weights.  Off schedule a little and need to get to a full set of weights.