“Kenbe fem.” Don't give up.

These are words that Pope Francis recently spoke to long-time THP community friend Sr. Paësie when he called to encourage and thank her for her devotion to the children of severely disadvantaged families in Cité Soleil, a commune located in Port-au-Prince and one of the most impoverished areas in our hemisphere.

Founder of the Famille Kizito Religious Community, Sr. Paësie along with Famille Kizito have been valued partners in The Haitian Project’s efforts in Haiti since the community was established in 2018. LCS students have volunteered at the community’s summer camps. Sr. Paësie has frequently visited LCS to teach in the religious education program and to provide spiritual support for students. Prior to that, Sr. Paësie was integral in THP’s collaboration with Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity.

Famille Kizito, named for the youngest of the Martyrs of Uganda who died for their faith in 1886, serves 2,500 at-risk youth in Cité Soleil through education centers, food support, summer camp, Catechism programs, and other initiatives. 

Patrick B., head of Fondation Haitian Project, THP’s partner foundation in Haiti, reached out to Sr. Paësie to ask her about her phone conversation with the Pope, along with her thoughts on education and Haiti.

Patrick: We were so pleased to hear about Pope Francis contacting you.

Sr. Paësie: Yes, I did receive a call from the Holy Father. This was a great surprise and a great blessing. And what really struck me was the tone of voice of the Pope. I felt by him calling me, he was really addressing the most vulnerable and the poorest people here in Haiti, and he wanted to give a message of consolation and hope to them. 

Patrick: What role does education have in Haiti's future, and in particular, Catholic education?

Sr. Paësie: The role of education is extremely important for different reasons. Children who are going to school are protected. Just by the fact that they are going to school, they are being protected from the dangers of the street and from being enrolled into gangs. Gangs do not recruit soldiers from among schoolchildren. They recruit from children who are not going to school. So, this is one way education is very important.

But Catholic or Christian education especially is essential. I believe this is only thing in the long term which can transform the reality of Haiti. Transmitting Christian values, the values of forgiveness, that a stronger one should protect a weaker one, love of God, love of neighbor … these are the values on which a society can be built, and this can be done through school through Christian education.

Patrick: What role do you feel established mission work, such as the work of Famille Kizito and The Haitian Project, plays in Haiti?

Sr. Paësie: I think our missions, The Haitian Project, Kizito Family … they are beacons of light and of hope in the lives of the people. The life in the school is a very important part of the lives of the children. And not only of the children who attend the schools, but their mothers and their families are impacted by the school.

AS ALWAYS, thank you for your support of our work for Haiti. Together, we can continue to make a difference and help build a brighter future for Haiti.

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