We wanted to let you know that the crates, which were filled with donated sewing supplies, made it safely to Port-de-Paix and Mole St. Nicolas. Here's a photo of the Port-de-Paix crate being unloaded.
Special thank you to everyone who donated fabric and sewing supplies, and for our wonderful volunteers who helped sort and pack thousands of pounds of supplies in our warehouse. The annual shipment is an important part of the ministry, and it wouldn't be possible without our generous donors and volunteers.
Mole St. Nicolas sewing class graduation
The 2021 Mole St. Nicolas Sewing Program Graduates
The Mole St. Nicolas sewing students graduated with great fanfare on Saturday, October 16, 2021. This was the first graduation for the Mole St. Nicolas sewing program, marked the completion of the three year sewing class.
More than 200 people from across Northwest Haiti traveled to Mole St. Nicolas to participate in the festivities. The graduation ceremony and reception were planned by Professor Johnson and the students. They made their red and white graduation gowns and the teal clothes they wore underneath.
Like most graduation ceremonies, the Mole St. Nicolas graduation included a number of speeches. But, unlike a traditional US graduation ceremony, this ceremony also included a few short comedy skits, songs by various music groups (including the sewing students), and a couple of dance routines. Plus, they did a little dance as part of the procession - be sure to check out the video below!
After the ceremony, the students and their friends and families, gathered for a beautiful reception that included an assortment of delicious food and desserts. Our Haitian Director Pierre summed the day up by saying, “Everything went very well by the grace of our Lord.” We couldn’t agree more.
Thank You
Things have not been easy for Haitians these past three years - the assassination of their President, a dramatic increase in gang violence, kidnappings throughout Haiti (both foreigners and nationals), a massive earthquake, and the Covid-19 pandemic - are just a few things that have plagued the tiny Caribbean country. Yet, despite all the problems, the students have prevailed. We thank the Lord for His kindness toward our students and praise Him for all He has done through the ministry.
If you’ve ever supported the sewing students by donating, praying, or volunteering, then you too have helped make this special day possible. These students, who once did not know how to sew, now have a skill they can use for the rest of their lives - a skill that will help them provide for themselves and their families. Thank you for helping to make that possible.
Graduation Videos
Graduation Photos
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Using their new sewing skills for good
Roseline made this beautiful purple dress.
Back in June, the Port-de-Paix sewing students traveled 3 hours away to Mole St. Nicolas for a special sewing competition. As part of the competition, students from both schools made clothes for children who live in the Mole St. Nicolas Children’s Home. The students enjoyed using their new skills to make clothes for children and the children loved getting beautiful new outfits. It was a win-win for everyone.
Roseline, an August 2021 graduate of the Port-de-Paix sewing program, made this pretty purple dress for this sweet young lady. We think she did a great job.
Your support of the sewing students makes special moments like this possible.