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Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in the United States, is seeking a part-time Administrative Coordinator. This position will report to the Development & Communications Manager and will work regularly with the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. The role is mostly remote with possible occasional travel within the U.S. Organization Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc. was founded in 2015 originally to fund three Lutheran preschools. After seeing increased growth and need, later three more schools were added throughout Haiti .Today, around 1,800 students are anticipated for the 2025-26 school year, about 100 of whom are orphans. Branch Schools provides funding for a superintendent, three orphanage and school directors, three other school directors, and 65 teachers, all Haitian nationals. We also fund nutrition, clean water, building projects, emergency support, and other needs that impact students on an as-needed basis. Our schools have experienced rapid growth and gained an excellent reputation in the neighborhoods they serve. Our hope is that Branch Schools’ students will have a positive impact in their communities and share the love of Jesus with others. For more information, please visit branchlutheranschoolshaiti.org. Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
Desired Qualifications & Skills Education & Experience
Technical Skills
To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]
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It is with both sadness and hope in Christ that we share the news that Lee Petersen, Board Chair of Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti since its founding over 10 years ago, has been called home to his Savior. Lee was a faith-filled, mission-minded, kind, and caring leader whose heart for children in Haiti and for sharing the Gospel shaped our ministry from the very beginning. His steady leadership and deep love for the Lord impacted countless lives, and he will be truly missed. We invite you to read Lee’s obituary and join us in giving thanks to God for his life and legacy: Read Lee’s obituary here Please keep Lee’s wife Linda, their family, and all who loved him in your prayers. We rejoice knowing that Lee is now at rest with Jesus, whom he served so faithfully. Note from the family: The memorial flowers and trees options are auto-generated by the newspaper (StarTribune). The family prefers memorials to go to Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti. If you would like to donate to Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti in memory of Lee Petersen, please click here or the donate button. You can leave a note for the family by using the note section and the "in memory of" option at the bottom of the donation box. This year marks a significant milestone: 10 years since Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti officially registered as a nonprofit organization in 2015. Far more than a date on a calendar, this moment invites us to celebrate God’s grace, community dedication, and growing impact in the lives of Haitian children.
From Humble Beginnings to Lifelong Learning From its origins in three orphanages serving around 100 children in 2015, Branch has grown into a network of three orphanages and six Lutheran schools, now educating over 1,600 children each school year. Located across Haiti—including schools in Port‑au‑Prince (elementary), Pilate (middle school), Les Palmes and Cap‑Haitien (preschool-kindergarten)—we’ve built a mission grounded in faith and service, guided by our WELS affiliation. Why Education—and Why Haiti? Tuition-free education is transformative in Haiti. With 75% of the population living on $2.41 or less daily, school fees are often unattainable. Branch ensures education remains accessible for God’s children. Literacy in Haiti remains low (around 61.7%), making each classroom a beacon of hope and empowerment. Daily spiritual formation—memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments—is integrated into academics. Children hear the Word of God in every classroom. Ten Years of Grace: What We’ve Accomplished Thanks to donors, partners, and prayerful support: Branch now supports six schools and three orphanages, with over 1,600 students served annually. Education is offered completely tuition‑free, alongside care for orphaned children. Haitian staff lead classrooms and programs—rooted in local culture and Gospel-centered leadership. Even amidst political unrest and national challenges, Branch has worked diligently to maintain safe and consistent schooling. Vision for the Next Decade As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we remain committed to expanding and deepening our mission. Our goals include: - Adding classrooms to meet increasing demand. - Investing in teacher training and bringing more people to Christ. - Extending outreach to new communities and regions across Haiti. With your partnership, we can move confidently into the future, trusting God to exceed all our hopes. Join the Celebration Thank you for helping Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti reach this milestone. Whether through prayer, financial support, or sharing our story—you make all the difference. Let’s celebrate 10 years of Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc., and look forward to many more years of welcome, Gospel hope, and Christ-centered education. To God be the glory! January 12, 2010, marked a devastating moment in Haiti’s history. The catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, displaced over 1.5 million people, and left countless children without parents or homes. Yet, amidst the heartbreak, the resilience of the Haitian people shone brightly.
In the immediate aftermath, Rev. Terry Schultz and his wife Mary, who had been stationed in the Dominican Republic, joined the WELS Christian Aid & Relief effort to help in Haiti. They developed relationships with, and ultimately supported three orphanages in Port-au-Prince, providing shelter and care to children who had lost everything. These orphanages became the foundation of a transformative mission that, in 2015, evolved into Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti through the support of generous donors and volunteers. What began as three orphanages serving 100 children has grown into a network of three orphanages and six schools, now educating over 1,600 children.This remarkable growth reflects the enduring commitment to the mission of nurturing Haitian youth with education, faith, and hope. Fifteen years later, Haiti stands at a crossroads. While the earthquake response brought about some progress, the nation continues to grapple with political instability, economic hardship, and escalating violence. Yet, we remain steadfast in our hope for a brighter future, trusting in God’s plan to overcome these challenges. Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti continues to fulfill its mission of addressing the educational, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of Haitian youth. For many of the children attending our schools, education and the opportunity to learn about our Lord and Savior would be unattainable without Branch Schools. We ask that you continue to keep the children, Branch Schools, and all of Haiti in your prayers. “We had lost loved ones, friends, and family members, and we still mourn their brutal and sudden departure. We’ve lost a lot, but we received a lot. Thank you for 15 years of support, accompaniment, and solidarity. On one hand, we are saddened by the loss of our loved ones; on the other hand, we are happy to have met you through this painful event. God gave, He took away, and we celebrate life!” – Orphanage Director, Port-au-Prince School and Orphanage We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your incredible support this GivingTuesday. Because of your generosity, and the $15,000 matching funds by a few incredible anonymous donors, we not only met but exceeded our goal, raising an astounding $57,800!
Your gifts will have a profound impact. Despite the immense challenges in Haiti, our six schools remain open, serving as beacons of hope and places where children grow academically, spiritually, and in their faith in God. Through your kindness, you’re helping provide a brighter future for hundreds of children who might otherwise not have access to education or the word of God. As we celebrate this success, we ask you to continue keeping the children who attend Branch Schools, their families, and our dedicated staff in your prayers. They face daily challenges, yet their faith and resilience remains strong. Praise God! Thank you for being part of this mission. Blessings to you, Becki Lonnquist Development and Communications Manager Four and a half years ago, I sat down at my computer and wrote an email that began with “My name is Emily and I have recently been blessed to begin work at Branch Schools as their Development Coordinator. This ministry is near and dear to my heart and I am so grateful to the donors like you who have supported Branch Schools and the work in Haiti--and I would love to get to know you better!” Since then...wow! Getting to know you all has truly been one of my greatest blessings of the last few years. This ministry has only become dearer to me as I’ve been amazed again and again by the impact you have made in Haiti. There are not many jobs that have the privilege of witnessing such an outpouring of love, and I am so grateful to have experienced it with each of you. December 13 marks the last day I will serve as the Senior Development Coordinator at Branch Schools. I look forward to the exciting opportunities God has put before me, as I transition into college teaching, but I will treasure these years at Branch Schools. You have made them so special. May God continue to bless this ministry and all those who support it! Merry Christmas! Emily Helmen, Senior Development Coordinator Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc. 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 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. |
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