***This young woman, Bithja, has been adopted by IAMCP WIT New England and IAMCP Boston,which is spearheading her fundraising efforts.***

Big Goal: Open a school to teach English to Haitian students, allowing them to compete in the global economy

Big Obstacle: Tuition fees, computer literacy

What Bithja Needs: Tuition support, computer access, ongoing English lessons and mentorship

Bithja Milord is a 24-year-old student who lives with her aunt in Carrefour, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. She comes from a family with three brothers and two sisters but went to live with her aunt after the tragic loss of their father in the 2010 earthquake. Unable to survive on her own after the death of her husband, Bithja’s mother had to move to the countryside to live with two of her children.

Bithja and her aunt live in a small house, with limited access to running water and electricity. Despite these challenges, Bithja is determined to remain in Carrefour so she can pursue her dream of completing her education.

She feels fortunate to have received outside financial support that allowed her to complete one year of a four-year Business Administration degree at the Institut des Haute Etudes Commerciales et Economiques (IHECE). Her favourite classes in university were Economics and Finance but now, without the financial means, her educational future is uncertain.

Although her dream of completing university is on hold, Bithja still feels lucky to have access to a computer through the small computer lab at her school. In 2013 she was able to take a course and was thrilled to learn how to use Microsoft Excel and Word. Bithja wants to continue to learn about technology, as she knows that without technological skills she will not be able to function successfully in an increasingly digital world.

Bithja also knows that, in the business world, fluency in English is important. She is determined to continue to improve her English skills and hopes to start taking English classes again this year. Her dream is to someday open a school that teaches English to Haitian youngsters to prepare them to compete in the global economy.

You can help Bithja finish her degree and make her dream of educating others come true. Please donate to support our Haiti Project.

Help Bithja Now!

By Raquel Lasenby