Q&A with Board of Director - Linda Petersen

Can you tell me about the volunteer work you have done with Branch Schools?
My volunteer work began almost as soon as Missionary Terry Schultz visited Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.  He asked if I would coordinate a group of WELS and ELS women to make pillowcase dresses for the girls.  Also he asked if I would organize a good-used shoe drive for boys and girls alike. Thus, I became the Special Projects Coordinator for Missionary Schultz’s mission work in Haiti. This led to many more projects and fundraisers for the orphans. 
Once Missionary Schultz was given permission to start the three schools, the projects list grew, as did the need for money for shipping, etc. I became completely absorbed by my work for the children in Haiti. I was blessed to be able to visit Haiti, beginning in 2014. The trips allowed us to take many, many items that the children and teachers needed. I felt so blessed to be able to make these visits.
After Branch was formed to take over funding for the schools in 2015 my volunteer work for the children continued, as well as three more trips to Haiti with suitcases full of supplies, clothing, toys, and small gifts for the children. As a Friend of the Board, and the wife of the Chairman of the Board, all travel costs, etc. were paid for personally. No money was taken away from the children to fund any of this.

How has Branch made an impact on your life?
Branch has impacted my life in so many ways. I found that I had a love for the orphan children who were our first students. Though we could not communicate verbally due to language differences, we felt their love for us also. Just playing simple games, giving out small handcrafted gifts from our volunteers, as well as fruit and crackers put smiles on children who had very little to smile about.  However, they were now being given a wonderful education and learning about their Lord and Savior.  Each trip found them healthier and happier than the one before.  Each of these trips also reinforced my commitment to these children and their families. 

What would you share with someone who is just learning about Branch or a new donor?
The people of Haiti have so little.  Most live on less than $2.00 a day.  Work is hard to come by. Food is becoming less available and more expensive everyday.  Many Haitians follow the “religion” of Vodou.  These children are taught about their Savior and his forgiveness every day.  They also share this knowledge with their families. Without Branch support none of the work in Haiti, with now over 1,600 students, would be possible. As money is now our only way to support these schools, our donors are extremely important to the work being done there.

What do you like most about being involved with Branch?
Knowing that these special children in Haiti are getting the opportunity to learn about their Lord and promise of eternal life in heaven is most important. Being able to promote Branch throughout the WELS and ELS; speaking at church groups, LWMS rallies, OWLS groups, and schools is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

What are some future goals and/or dreams you have for Branch?
To continue promoting the welfare and education of the children of Haiti. If God blesses Haiti with more schools and growing enrollments, I pray that Branch will be able to grow support from donors.

What do you love the most about Branch Schools?
We are a loving, caring, giving group of individuals who have come together to create places where Haitian children can continue to learn and live in Jesus. We support each other in our non-profit endeavors, as well as in our personal lives. I experienced this love and care when I lost my husband of 52 years to cancer in August of 2025. 

What’s a project you want to work on or get involved with for Branch Schools?
I would like to do whatever I can to foster awareness of the needs in Haiti. I enjoy traveling to other parts of the U.S. to spread the word about the children of Branch. God has blessed our work over the first ten years, and I would like to work in any way possible to spread the word to all corners of the country.

What is the biggest career challenge you see Branch Schools facing?
The biggest challenge in Haiti is space.  The three founding schools are at or nearly at capacity. They will need to find ways to accommodate more grades and more students.
Also, the schools are limited in their teaching as Branch had no high schools currently. There is a definite need, but with that comes a much larger budget.  Branch needs more large donors, grants, and support from WELS and ELS member-owned businesses.  

Why should people support Branch Schools?
We all need to support Branch Schools as they are educating children in the Word of God. Children whose souls would be lost to black magic if not given the chance to attend these schools. We already know that the few children we have lost to illness or crime were learning about their promised home in heaven and were given the gift of eternal life.

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