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We invite you all to join us this December 3 for our 2024 Annual GivingTuesday fundraiser!
At Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, we know that Christ has the power to transform lives through education. But for so many children in Haiti, access to the word of God and a quality education often remains out of reach. Together, we can change that! This GivingTuesday, we aim to raise $35,000, with generous $15,000 in matching gifts to double the impact of your donation. Your gift will help us provide:
In Joshua 1:9, we are commanded: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Please pray with us that the children and people of Haiti continually be strong and trust that the Lord is with them. You can donate now or on GivingTuesday (Dec. 3) by clicking the "donate" button above or donate via check: Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc. C/O Kathleen Menke, Treasurer 1627 Dunlap Street North St. Paul, MN 55108
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 Thanks to your support, over 1,400 children, including about 80 orphans, received a Christian education, nutrition, and clean water this past year. Despite challenges like increased gang activity in the Port-au-Prince area, your generosity helped fund classroom expansions, new teachers, and emergency support during crises.
We invite you to read the full 2024 Annual Report. God grant us the ability to continue this work so that we may continue to be a source education, support, hope and strength for the children of Haiti. "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." – Psalm 18:32  GivingTuesday takes place this year on Tuesday, December 3 and we invite you to join us!
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that inspires people to take action for causes they care about, like Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, making it the ideal time for you to make a meaningful impact. This annual event, held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, harnesses the power of community and creates a collective moment of giving, multiplying the difference you can make. Here is why Giving Tuesday matters for us:
How you can get involved:
Galatians 6:10 ~ "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." God Bless! For any questions, please reach out to our Development & Communications Manager, Becki at [email protected].  Becki is a Minnesota native and currently lives with her husband Peter and their young daughter and two cats in Minneapolis, MN. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead where she graduated from in 2014. She also studied Media in 2012 at the University of Lincoln in England. During college she went on mission trips to Grand Rapids, Ontario, Canada, where she taught at a pop-up Vacation Bible School to Cree (formally First Nation) children living in and around the community and enjoys volunteering locally through organizations like Habitat for Humanity - Twin Cities and food shelves.
She comes to Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti with a plethora of experience in development and nonprofit communications through her work with faith-based and human services nonprofit organizations. She first learned of Branch Schools as a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN and through some members her husband’s family, who are involved through volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors. Becki and Peter have become supporters and continually pray for Branch Schools and Haiti. In her freetime Becki enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on walks and hikes, being outdoors, attending live music concerts, volunteering and is somewhat of a foodie who loves trying new cuisines.  John Alan Sebald has been immersed in education, leadership, mission advancement, and fundraising for almost four decades.
Currently, John serves as Director of Development at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WLHS is the largest private high school in Milwaukee—and one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse high schools in the country. John is a sunshine and espresso lover. He believes God has wired him with the unique ability to find coffee shops without asking for directions. John is also a husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoys live music, audiobooks, lifting heavy things, cooking, and adventures with his wife, Kristi. Most of all, he’s a firm believer in the power of God’s grace to change hearts and lives.  Dawn and Brian met at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN. Dawn graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication and they got married while Brian went on to Seminary. They moved to Cottage Grove, WI for his vicarship and then to Sebring, FL for his first call. He then went to UCF to get a second master’s degree and Michigan State for a PhD in Communication. Dawn kept everything together and had their two daughters, Brynn (11) and Madison (8).
Now 21 years and 9 moves later they live back in Mankato where Brian teaches at both Bethany and the Seminary. Dawn is a substitute teacher at several schools and an active volunteer at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. In her spare time between car pooling, activities, homework and events, she loves to read and garden and is always growing something odd, dragging Brian along with her. Both Brian and Dawn are passionate about mission work, from helping set up a video ministry to the Hmong people and underserved areas of the U.S. to raising money and awareness of Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti. They both feel very blessed and humbled to serve the Lord Haitians are in the midst of trying times, especially in the Port-au-Prince region; a state of emergency has been declared and a curfew has been issued for 72 hours as order is restored to the nation's capital.
We are blessed at Branch Schools with skilled and formidable directors and teachers who have lions' hearts when it comes to adversity; keeping the safety and hope ablaze in the eyes of the children and the surrounding communities. They truly hold the fort. All public administration, businesses, and schools will be closed as this state of emergency has been issued from 5:00 a.m. Monday until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6th. The curfew does not include police enforcement, fire fighters, or first responders. We are confident in the skills and commitment of our directors and teachers in the Port-au-Prince region and across Haiti. We pray that, if it is God's will, all the citizens, directors, teachers, and children will be kept safe. Heavenly Father, please give strength and resolve to all who restore order and determination to the citizens who have been affected by the disruption. -Lauren Frey In 2010, a historic and catastrophic earthquake rocked Haiti, killing over 220,000 people. Shortly after, Hurricane Sandy plowed through.
The WELS Christian Aid & Relief organization immediately responded. These WELS members had an opportunity to support our Caribbean neighbors, seeing how many children, families and communities were left in need after the natural disasters. But, relief funding is only intended to be temporary, to help get a community back on its feet post-disaster. When the time came for WELS funding to end, congregation members from St. Paul, MN worked hard to set up a registered charity. They would continue to raise and channel the funding required for the Lord's work in Port-au-Prince and across Haiti. Lee & Linda Petersen and Rev. Terry Schultz & Mary Schultz, along with Darryl & Pam Folkens, Tom & Judy Kuster, Michael & Jas Klebig, and Kathleen Menke were instrumental in the founding of Branch Lutheran Schools as a stand-alone charity. The registered nonprofit, “Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti,” was born. The work at Branch Schools has been blessed; the grassroots project continues. Thirteen years later, there are now over 1,100 children in six schools that are eating nutritious meals & learning crucial numeracy and literacy skills, and growing daily in the knowledge of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amidst high inflation & difficult times, political corruption, floods, earthquakes, poverty, and gang-related crime roiling through Haiti, children are grateful for the opportunity to go to school. And teachers and academic staff are paid competitive salaries. All of this is encouraging for the next generation of courageous Haitians. All because of the generous givers to Branch Schools. This #GivingTuesday raised over $48,000 for our Haitian neighbors in Christ. The work continues and is blessed. Thank you! --Lauren Frey, guest blog author. The directors and teachers at Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti candidly answered what they were up to in the summertime in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Director Boursiquot shared: “Firstly, for the children, the summertime represents a moment of respite; they are always happy after a long period of study to go on vacation. For teachers, this represents a “phew”. With vacation, it’s rest and time for other things, like visiting with family. For me as Director, it represents a reset, the charges are deposited for a short time, [then] time to take stock and time for major calculations for the new year."
Director Yvette in Smyrne shared that “the summer represents a moment of rest [for the children], some of them were always tired during the school time”. Play is equally important as rest: the boys at Branch Schools are usually found kicking a soccer ball around, for hours lost in their own goal-keeping and trick-playing. The girls prefer mostly board games. Rest and restoration was the resounding answer given for all. Consequently, the Branch Schools leaders are now refreshed and ready to tackle the new school year. Summer sessions were held to keep the children engaged and connected. Director Boursiquot confirmed: “This started August 7th.” Director Jeanot stated that after the teachers' summer break, they get ready for the upcoming year with a seminar. Director Boursiquot detailed that during the training seminar, held by the Branch Schools Academic Dean, teachers prepare the course book and review classroom strategies. It’s an exciting time at Branch Schools! The bustle of school is ringing with energy and drive after a restorative break for all throughout the summer. Lauren  What are the board members of Branch Schools doing today? How have things changed since they joined Branch Schools? We checked in with the board members and, in this blog series, we'll share the answers with you!
Up next is Emily Helmen, the Senior Development Coordinator for Branch Schools. Emily has been part of Branch Schools since May 2020. Find Emily's updated bio below! "Emily grew up in Mankato, MN, and graduated from Bethany Lutheran College with a Bachelor's degree in English in 2020. In August 2023, Emily will graduate with a Creative Writing MFA (Master's of Fine Arts) from Emerson College. In her spare time, Emily is likely found writing fiction or playing board games. She is married to Caleb, who was ordained as a pastor in the ELS in July 2023. Emily and Caleb spent the last year living in Naples, Florida for Caleb's vicarage, and now reside in Thornton, Iowa for Caleb's first call as a pastor. A trip to Haiti in 2016 created a deep love for the Haitian children there, and she has been truly blessed by the last three years serving Branch Schools." |
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November 2024
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