Frequently Asked Questions

What language is used in the school?

Both Creole and French are used in the school depending on the class. Creole and French are the two official languages of Haiti. All Haitians speak Creole while French is more the language of the educated. Creole is derived from French and several other languages.

What grades does the school include?

The school was initially kindergarten through sixth grade.  For the 2016-17 school year, classes were available for pre-kindergarten through grade thirteen (a required additional year) and the first graduation ceremony was held. Unfortunately, the financial cost and difficulty in maintaining a quality education in the upper levels led to the decision to discontinue the high school program after the 2017-2018 school year. 

Where do the teachers come from?

Most of the teachers are ones that Johny and Rosadite have helped finish their training and education and who have then returned to teach in their community. The others are from outside the community that friends have recommended to them.

Will there be additional children to sponsor in the future?

Yes, each year there will be new younger children starting in pre-kindergarten. There will likely also be some new students each year in the older grades.

Can I sponsor more than one child?

Initially it was requested that each family sponsor only one child. Since the school has grown significantly, families may sponsor more than one child.

What happens if my sponsored child stops attending school?

You will be notified and given opportunity to sponsor another child when one becomes available.

Why do the children sometimes stop attending the school?

Families periodically leave Merger for various reasons. For example, a few families left after the Jan 12, 2010 earthquake in hope of finding more assistance in one of the tent settlements.Families may leave the area to find better employment options closer to Port-au-Prince.

May I write my sponsored child?

Yes!  We strongly encourage sponsors to write your sponsored child.  Many of the children will not have received letters before so these will be very special and encouraging to them.

When may I write?

The school in Merger has requests that sponsors send letters or cards for Christmas, Easter and for the student’s birthday. You may also send a letter or card of introduction when you begin sponsoring. Receiving most correspondence at about the same time helps with translation and to distribute the letters more efficiently. 

What is the appropriate length of the letters?

Letters should be no longer than one page in length so there is room for translation to be written on the back.

What should I include in my correspondence?

Here are some suggestions of things you could write about:

• Describe your family and include a photo.
• Write about the terrain/climate/people where you live.
• Share your favorite Bible stories and verses.
• Remind your child that you pray for him or her regularly.
• Explain how your family includes your sponsored child in daily life (e.g., praying for him or her or displaying his or her photo in your home).
• Express what a privilege it is to be your child's sponsor.
• Affirm that God loves him or her and has a great plan for his or her life.

What should I avoid in my correspondence?

When writing, be sensitive to the child's economic situation. Avoid discussing things like the size of your home or the kind of car you drive. When sending photos do not include ones that show your possessions. Be aware of what is in the photo's background. Please do not include your address or phone number in any of your correspondence.

Where do I send my letter?

The letters should be sent directly to the student and NOT to Glenwood. Send letters and cards to:

ECOLE MIXTE NOUVELLE VIE   
c/o Your Student's Name & MSP #
UNIT  2109 UEBH
3170  AIRMANS DRIVE
FORT PIERCE, FL. 34946
 

How long will it take for my letter to get there?

It can take two weeks minimum for your letter to get to Johny so please allow for this time.

Will my child write me back?

All correspondence from your student will come to Glenwood first and we will forward it to you. Due to the large number of children, correspondence does not happen frequently, although we do receive letters periodically from random students via email. Please note that due to the language barrier, the students have help from teachers when writing these letters so they may sound formal or above the communication level of your student’s age.

Why can’t I send gifts to my child?

The children in Merger live in extremely poor conditions. It is hard to know what would be an appropriate gift and it would be difficult to be equitable with other children in the family or at the school. Every year a Christmas party is held at the school where each child receives a gift. If you would like to give financially to the Christmas party, you may write a check payable to Glenwood Community Church with a note attached designating it to “Merger Christmas Party”.

What is the vision for the future of the school?

The school is currently under evaluation by the Glenwood Haiti Ministry Team. The desire is that the school would continue to function in a healthy way in order to allow future generations to attend.