All About Phanuel and You Who is Phanuel Estinvil? Phanuel (pronounced "fan-well") is a young man born and raised in Haiti. French is Phanuel's first language, but he has been learning English. Phanuel was accepted into university, but like most in his situation, he is unable to afford the high costs.
Phanuel is highly motivated to receive an education and to return to Haiti to help his country.
ACCESS was first made aware of Phanuel by Stella Petrone, a retired high school religion teacher from
Mississauga, who has dedicated herself to taking young people and adults to Haiti and the
Dominican Republic to expose them to poverty around the world.
Where is he going to school? With ACCESS funding, Phanuel began studies at Universite Notre Dame d'Haiti (the University of Notre Dame of Haiti) where he studied in the Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Studies for first year. However, due to the Earthquake in January 2010, Phanuel has since transfered to a school in Texas, USA where he started in August 2010. He is studying in a four-year BA in Theological Studies at The University of the Americas.
Why can't Phanuel just earn the money, or find a Haitian scholarship?
Even before the Earthquake when we began supporting Phanuel, Haiti is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere. Over 80% of Haiti's people
live in abject poverty and the unemployment rate is 70% to 80% (figures prior to January 2010). Even if Phanuel were to have located a
job, half of Haiti's population earns only $60 or less per year. Educational support from the Haitian govenrment is non-existent. Why is taking on this project so significant?
Normally, the chances of any student from Haiti receiving a post-secondary
education is very rare (only 27% complete primary education). Phanuel has worked tirelessly on his studies for the past several
years. For a body of students and educators in Canada, this project would demonstrate our value of education, and be an example of the
power that each one of us has to make a difference in the world.
When you help Phanuel you're also helping the poor and distressed that he will be helping as a Pastor. When you help Phanuel you're giving Haiti a much needed social worker.
What can Schools do to Help? By simply asking that students donate $1 for one of their dress-down days in participating secondary schools, we would have together raised more than enough money
for Phanuel Estinvil's complete university education! Duffern-Peel Catholic District School Board Suggestions for Simple Fundraising Dress Down Day: For your next regularly scheduled Dress Down Day, ask each student to bring in $2 for this cause, in order to dress down. Or, hold an additional Dress Down Day, with students being made aware of the specific cause at hand. Toonie Drive: Elementary schools could host a Toonie Drive, request a loonie to wear a themed outfit for that day, or charge small admission to a special school event. Above and Beyond: If your school also hosts an event or fundraiser (e.g. a bake sale or talent show), we would be thrilled to send our video crew to document this for future use. Students or schools wishing to write letters to Phanuel could also be arranged. What about other impoverished students, besides Phanuel?
After the fundraising goal of Phanuel's education has been met, additionalfunds will be proudly assigned to education projects in the developing world! ACCESS is planning a new joint project for the near future, so check back here for updates!
Educate. Experience. Evangelize.
Called to Action Innitiative
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