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Haiti interns Chris Hornsby and Cal Oakley with their donors, Rick and Willie Sommer. Photo by Stephen Priest. 

A few weeks ago I was given the honor of speaking at the Fairbanks Brunch, an annual event that gives summer scholarship recipients an opportunity to meet and thank their donors.

I am frequently amazed by the multi-faceted effects that philanthropy can have. Through the generous donations entrusted to the Haiti Institute in Sewanee, the program has gathered five years of data on the effects of carbon payments on tree survival, had its first coffee harvest, began a partnership with Singing Rooster, and touched the lives of many individuals and communities, mine included. After three years of work with this program, there is not much else I can say to touch on how profound and inspiring my experiences in Haiti have been.

Thank you to all who support us, whether it be through time, money, or encouraging thoughts.

Below, the speeches given by myself, another undergraduate student, and two students in the School of Theology.

Fairbanks Brunch 2018 – Student Speakers from University of the South on Vimeo.

Endearments to the Zanmi Team

As I look up at the star filled sky, it continues to get harder for me to say goodbye to this place Friendships, the bond they have all given me with such grace. I have felt like my best self here Thank you, team, for being supportive so I could surmount my fears. You all… more →

Making Meaning

Our trip is winding down and I am faced with the aching in my heart that always accompanies leaving something that you love. I have learned so much about this country and culture, photography, and myself in these past five weeks that that I can hardly imagine what going back to the States will be… more →

Building Terraces…and Bridges

Today marks the last day of field work during our visit in Haiti. The occasion was celebrated in Bois Jolie with a kombit, a large feast with all of the farming families, the agronomists from CFFL, and our Sewanee group. As I sat there with my heaping plate of rice and beans, exhausted from just… more →

Through Sickness and Health

This last week has been the last full week here at Haiti and has been slow for me personally, but readying for the last trip which I feel fully prepared for now. Sunday evening I became pretty sick with a gut infection and as such decided to not make the journey to Bois Jolis, after… more →