Philippe

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First of all, I want to thank God for the way that He invests in me. I bow before his Holy Spirit. I thank the Bridge Scholarship program for all that they do in my life to teach me to be a very strong leader and to be an important man in my society. My name is Phillippe. I am 23. I got a degree in Electromechanics last year and now I am studying Industrial Mechanics as a specialization.

I have a very large family with six brothers and three sisters. I love them so much. They are always in my heart everywhere I have go. On December 31, 2017, before I got my Electromechanic degree, I was at church. We prayed for the new year. When midnight arrived the pastor said “everyone ask God everything that they want for the new year”. I had a lot of things to ask God for and I couldn't see even where to start, but i realized that God had a plan for my life. I don't have to worry about anything. Then I started to ask about my USA Visa because I will was going to apply for a Visa in February, and my Electromechanic degree and a good job.  I said “please God this is my request for the new year it's not like rejecting your plan but if you see I am not ready for them please let me get my Electromechanic degree”. God heard my prayer as i said , the USA embassy rejected me I didn't get any job but I got my degree!

Then on December 14th, 2018 one of the employee of the Bridge Scholarship told me I got a opportunity to meet with the Human Resource department at Brana on January 14, 2019. At the same time I understood that God's plan wasn't getting a job in 2018 but rather a hope so I needed to stay faithful and patient. I couldn't wait to meet with the human resource department and I researched Brana to know about what they do and their products. Before the meeting I was like normal without stress. I felt confident that I was going to get the job, but when it was the day to meet them I felt a little stress but that day was one of my favorite days! The meeting was in English and i learned a lot about them even though I don't speak English well. The two Bridge Scholarship Program Managers were with me and we had a wonderful time. But they said they would like for me to come back in a month for another interview.

Unfortunately the interview could not happen because there were protests and demonstrations in Haiti and all companies had closed for security reasons.  I went to Brana that day anyway so that they could understand that I was very interested to get the job opportunity! When I called them and told them I was in front of the gate they completely forgot if it was that day of my interview. They rescheduled to for 2 weeks later. The interview was good and I think I did well. It was three people who interviewed me. At the beginning I felt a lot of stress but fortunately I overcame it. And now I am waiting for their call. Please pray for me and this job opportunity!

“Political unrest” from a Local Perspective

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Recently, there were some small troubles in the streets of Port au Prince. We continue to hope that Haiti will have peace. Last Sunday in our meeting with the students, I said that they are chosen. Why? Because in spite of all the troubles of the country, we have enough to eat and to drink in this unfortunate (poor) country. There are people who do not even have a piece of bread ....wow. We must say thank you to GOD at every moment in our lives. Despite the difficulties, the moments we are experiencing in this country, I hope that someday I will be able to see this beautiful Haiti that we have been looking for all this time.

On Tuesday, some of our students at INUKA took their ways to go to school to learn and continue to fight and have a job in the future. We had been waiting for the reopening of the schools this week. After a long week waiting for it to be safe, Davidson and I went out with the aim of providing us with necessities in case the country falls into turmoil again. Thanks to God we had a driver was also there to help us in the transport. For now, we have some things that we can use as: first aid drugs, food, water, gas, etc in case there is trouble again.

This morning I went to English class, but I heard in the news that there will be demonstrations in the streets so I was obliged to leave the class as soon as possible so that I can return home. It is so difficult to be productive when demonstrations could occur at any time. You always must be prepared and that takes most of your time.

I wanted to share with you my personal point of view on Haiti's crisis. I am a student in Human Resource Management. This major gives me the mission to contribute to a new Haiti. Since I was born in this country, I know that the overthrow of presidents come from people who think only of their pockets. I dream that one day the Haitian youth will take the head of the country because from 1986 to our current days, they (the old politicians) have only used us to create troubles in this country in all its forms (tires burning, looting in stores, supermarkets, etc.). We need a new generation of leaders. I hope that the system will be completely changed, namely the Presidency, the Prime Minister, the Parliament and the systems of justice so that we can have a country where Haitians will have the possibility to go to the hospital and to the school (university and vocational school) and live their lives in safety. Only then will Haiti have another face in the eyes of our brothers and sisters and in the eyes of strangers from other countries. I do not belong to this party that claims to be an opposition to the current system. I am also not from this current ruling party. I stand in the name of Haitian youth. The time has come to leave room for young executives in the country to do the work to bring Haiti back to life. Please pray with me for Haiti. 

Thank you,

Junior (Student Liaison for Bridge Scholarship)