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 has been accepted into university in Haiti, but is unable to afford the costs. ACCESS was first made aware of Phanuel by Stella Petrone, a retired Catholic 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 will he be going to school? Phanuel was accepted at Universite Notre Dame d'Haiti (the University of Notre Dame of Haiti). He is studying in the Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Studies (EPSU). As a private Catholic university, Universite Notre Dame d'Haiti extends the current role the Catholic Church plays in primary and secondary education to the post-secondary level. The university's website is www.undh.org.
Why can't Phanuel just earn the money, or find a local scholarship?
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%. Even if Phanuel were to get a
job, half of Haiti's population earns only $60 or less per year.
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 from the
GTA, 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.
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 Phanuel 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, surplus funds 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 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
