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A UMNS Commentary
7:00 A.M. ET March 19, 2013 | MIZAK, Haiti
Monique Gaston (third from right) stands with staff and visitors outside
the Haiti Artisans for Peace International compound in Mizak, Haiti.
From left are: James Lazarre, Eddy Joassaint, Yolande Gabriel, Paul
Prevost, Gaston, Jean Claude Gard and Valerie Mossman-Celestin.
A UMNS photo by Neelley Hicks.
View in Photo Gallery
I am Monique Gaston. I am 34 years old, and I have been married for
14 years. My husband’s name is Liphete Content, and he is 43. We have
two children, a girl named Sarah, age 13 years, and a boy named
Anderson, age 10.
Today I am very happy to talk with you about how I lived before I was employed by HAPI.
When I was newly married, I had a teaching job at a private school,
but the pay was very unsatisfactory. At this time, my husband was
employed at a neighborhood store as a maintenance person. The store
also did not provide much income, but we worked together to manage what
we received each month. We were able to put the children in school,
pay the doctor, and provide food and clothing.
When the kids started growing, I saw they cost more money because
the school became more expensive. I had to look for other work to pay my
expenses, but I could not find another job. I had to leave my job at
the school because the pay was so low that it could not even cover the
costs of me leaving my house each day. I spent more than three years
looking, but I could not find work. I spent my time giving my children
education (home schooling) and I helped other children in the
neighborhood in their lessons. Their parents gave me a little money to
help me to survive.
In September 2011, HAPI came to visit my neighborhood to make
formation for the young people. Thankfully, someone noticed me, and I
was chosen to participate in a seminar on project management.
I was hired at HAPI in November 2011. I was like a baby that is
breastfeeding: Valerie gave me milk and Paul held my hand while I took
my first step. Today, the only name I will remember working for is
HAPI. With money I am paid from HAPI, I can run to the doctor if my
child is sick. In my teaching job, my voice was always hoarse, and I
had a constant stomachache. Since I entered HAPI, I am not sick
anymore, only maybe a small cold or fever.
Valerie sent money to pay a teacher to give a course on computers.
It was a wonderful program for all the people who are a part of HAPI
staff but who could not send reports by email (lacked the knowledge).
What made me the saddest is when I received an email that said Valerie
will stop the program because the funds were finished. I cried. With
this in mind, we took what we had learned to do our work, but it was
not yet enough.
We continued with Ash (Global Ministries mission intern) who gave us
short, daily lessons until today. His contract with HAPI is now
finished. However, I believe we will be able to continue.
Before I came to HAPI, I paid for a computer course. I can say I
lost my money. With the program HAPI paid for, I have the courage to say
I feel that I know how to use a computer!
In my closing words, HAPI is a light that shines for me wherever I go!
Thanks,
Monique
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