As many of our friends and neighbors know, St. Joseph Academy is sponsored by the Felician Sisters. What many people don’t know is that the Felician Sisters also have a ministry in Haiti, where sisters work to assist young people and the elderly in need.

Haiti is currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. A massive earthquake struck the country in 2010, killing over 300,000 people and leaving some 1.5 million homeless. The earthquake is considered to be the worst in this region over the last 200 years, and the effects of the disaster linger today.

We believe that once a family becomes self-sufficient, that family will in turn help build up a struggling community. In Haiti, the Felician Sisters teach English as a second language, and help young students learn a trade so that they’re able to give back to their own people.

SJA felt called to raise money for the Haiti mission. Throughout the month of May, teachers collected spare change from generous students and families–and 100% of the donations will go directly to people in need.

Children that donated all colored a “Helping Hand,” which SJA displayed proudly on a special Helping Hands wall in our Great Room through the end of the school year.

To the families who shared what they could, thank you for your generosity in supporting the Haiti mission!