So many good things are happening!
Dear Friends of 509,
Our three students in the US have completed another successful year of study and we wanted to celebrate their progress with you! We hope you’ll enjoy their brief but inspiring life updates below.
In addition, we are very grateful to Trinity Church in Greenwich, CT, for making The 509 Foundation one of their “Trinity Serves Partners” and providing us with the opportunity to share our mission with the congregation during a service in June.
We’re also thrilled to see Madia, our first student studying in Haiti, stepping into the opportunity afforded her through 509. She has a few words of gratitude to share with you!
Gratitude from our newest student, Madai Andre
"Since the passing of my father on February 28, 2007, life has never been easy for my family. Yet through every difficulty, God has faithfully placed caring people on my path to help me move forward. After completing my classical studies, my mother was unable to afford even a professional school, much less a university education. I had begun to lose hope because poverty stood in my way. But God had another plan.
As a beneficiary of The 509 Foundation, I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend technical school in Haiti and learn skills that will enable me to provide for myself and pursue a life of meaning. This would not be possible if it weren't for you!
My story is proof that one opportunity can change a life. And one changed life can, in turn, impact many others." - Madai
Let’s catch up with Dieula at Lipscomb University!
“During my sophomore year I took a full course load and I had the privilege of working as a Personal Care Assistant for a SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) student on campus. Providing for the essential needs of this student and helping her on a daily basis really made me feel like I was the hands and feet of Jesus, and that was an honor.
Now I’m more excited than ever to pursue my nursing degree, which is the exciting news I want to share with you! After completing two years of coursework at Lipscomb, I was accepted into the nursing program, and I am super proud and looking forward to pursuing this dream in the fall of 2026. None of this would be possible without the support I receive through the generous givers to The 509 Foundation and I can’t thank you enough!” - Dieula
Kesnel (right) looks forward to his senior year with much excitement!
“Looking back over my last 6 months I realize I was juggling a lot, but I am so proud of the things I was able to accomplish. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with the admissions office and serve as a student ambassador to share the joy of Hope College with others. I also took on a leadership role as a hall residential assistant, and next semester I will continue in that role. I also had an amazing season with the Hope Soccer Club, and I intend to play next fall.
This summer I have the privilege of working as an environmental health and safety intern at Sherwin Williams, and I am so excited for this journey and the things I will learn from it.
And……. this fall I will start my senior year!! I mean, I cannot believe I am saying that, but soon I will have a double major in chemistry and global health, and I will pursue a career in public health and health management, which will allow me to do a lot of good in this world.
As the finish line gets closer, I am more grateful than ever for those who believed in me and invested in my life.” - Kesnel
Moise (left) looks back with gratitude!
“Looking back over the last six months, I’ve experienced a lot of growth both personally and academically. Participating in the Oregon Extension Program for four months taught me independence, gave me a new perspective on life, and truly prepared me for the work I will do when I graduate. Through every challenge I experienced, I learned more about my faith, my character, and the kind of person I want to become as I seek to make a major difference in this world through agriculture.
This summer I am working with the Admissions office as a campus tour guide. I love the team at Hope. They are so full of wisdom, love, and leadership, and I could not have asked for a better team.
It’s an honor I can’t really describe to have these opportunities and I want to express my deep gratitude for making all of this possible. I am making the very most of it!” - Moise
Our Recent Trip to Haiti
And finally, we wanted to share with you that many of our board members recently had the opportunity to spend time with the students who are still studying on campus at Danita’s Children. Though we remain unable to safely travel into the country at this time, we were able to host the students at a property on the DR/Haiti border and it was incredibly powerful to reconnect with them and listen to them share their hopes and dreams and fears and worries. We worshipped and prayed, we shared meals and played games, and we sought to encourage one another with God’s good plans for their lives that are still unfolding. So many incredible students remain hopeful for an opportunity to pursue a life of impact in Haiti as they graduate from high school. But first, we have an immediate need for our current students.
We Need Your Support!
In closing, we ask that you would consider partnering with us today to help our current students complete their education in the US. The need is great, but with your support, we can help our current students cross the finish line and pay it forward in the years ahead. As you can see from their updates, they are thriving and making the most of every dollar invested into their lives.
If you would like to partner with us, you can make a general donation or you can support a specific student through the link below. Your generosity makes all the difference in their lives.
And as always, please reach out with any questions or ideas you’d like to share with us!
With much gratitude,
Jeannie and Mike Cunnion, and Donken Andre
