Volunteer Viewpoint September 2008

By Nicky Harter

My name is Nicky Harter and I am the 2008-2009 Campus Minister for Louverture Cleary School. I am originally from Decatur, Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Education. My first year after graduating was spent as a volunteer in Baltimore, MD with Mercy Volunteer Corps and last year I was a volunteer with The Haitian Project. I am excited to be spending another year on campus here serving the staff and students of Louverture Cleary School. This year we have three wonderful volunteers who are very excited about the year that lies ahead of them.

John DiTillo is the youngest and only boy in a family of four children. His parents live in Hannibal, Missouri. He went to the University of Notre Dame where he majored in History with a concentration in Revolutions. Spring semester of his junior year he spent in Notre Dame’s abroad program in Angers, France. He also spent a month in Burkina Faso, West Africa where he volunteered at an orphanage where his sister was working. John was drawn to The Haitian Project’s motto, “What you receive as a gift, you must give as a gift. Mt10:8.” He hopes to meet the needs presented here both in and outside the classroom, to teach the importance of service, to grow spiritually, and to live simply.

Laura Gelsthorpe is the youngest of five children. She grew up in Godfrey, Illinois. Laura is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she studied Human Development and Family Studies. During her time at U of I, she was an active volunteer in the community by mentoring at an elementary school, working with victims of sexual abuse, and leading a Bible study. Laura chose to volunteer with The Haitian Project because of its commitment to education and its desire to improve the lives of Haitians. After this year of service, she plans to finish her graduate degree in Social Work.

Kristin Laboe spent her childhood in Bow, New Hampshire and is the second of six children. She attended the University of Notre Dame where she studied European Studies and Finance. Kristin also participated in the Notre Dame Angers Program, which sparked a passion for discovering new cultures and languages that would prove to be pivotal in her decision to become a Haitian Project volunteer. Kristin visited Haiti in 2001 on mission, and has since kept Haiti close to her heart. Kristin is mindful of the fact that education extends beyond the classroom and, with the grace of God, she hopes to be a role model in the community. She appreciates the opportunities LCS creates to touch the lives of everyone involved and to help people grow in their spirituality as individuals and as a community.

As you can see, the volunteers are both willing and able to begin another strong school year! We are very excited to see what this year has in store. Please keep the staff, students, and volunteers in your prayers as we prepare for school to begin in September. Of course, we are very grateful to all our supporters and would like to thank you for making all this possible! You truly live the motto, “Se gratis nou resevwa, se gratis tou pou nou bay. Mt.10:8.” Thanks and God Bless.