In some parts of the world, children are born with very little. In Haiti, most children are born with little or no access to food, clean water, electricity, or education. Such was the case of Kervince Parayson aka Gama, who was born 32 years ago in Leogane, a port city west of the capital of Port-au-Prince. After he was born, his mom and dad split. His mom went on to have 9 more children and his dad went on to have 10 more. Access to food, water, and education are hard enough when you are just one kid, but your prospects diminish greatly when your parents are busy feeding nineteen others. Gama, however, was born with something that exists in every human. He was born with hope. And with that seed of hope, he found his way through grade school and high school in Haiti. He also found his way to America where he went to college. He eventually returned to Haiti after the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, where he has remained ever since. He successfully found a better life for himself in Haiti and now he's helping others do the same through his own non-profit organization, TreeofHopeHaiti.org.
Tree of Hope Haiti is an organization that provides purified water to the communities of Haiti. As well, it provides the hope of education for children that may otherwise never attend school. The program also provides much needed housing to families in and around Grand Goave. How does a young child survive in a world that barely nourishes him? How does he grow into a man that creates a movement that will forever change the face of Haiti for the better?
I recently visited Haiti where I sat down with 32 year old Gama Parayson. He's the husband of Angela and dad to 6 year old Nathan and 1 year old Nyah. He's building the Tree of Hope Haiti foundation. In short, he's changing the world. Here are 4 lessons on building a better life from the simple foundation of hope.
Believe In Yourself, Because Someone Else Does: What I was most interested in learning from Gama was how someone finds the strength to believe in himself, when he is surrounded by so little. He says that he knew from a young age that he wanted to grow up and start a mission to make Haiti better. Gama says that for most of his life, he's been powered by other people who believed in him. "If you believe in me, then I have to believe in myself." Gama explained that he was lucky enough to have the benefit of education ever since he was 6 years old. Many children in Haiti never get to go to school because their families cannot afford the estimated $35/month it costs to attend. Gama got to attend school because of an American sponsor with whom he was fatefully matched through a non-profit educational foundation. Without that sponsor it is doubtful Gama would have received any education at all. Gama says he had to believe in himself, because someone else did. Gama never met the sponsor who changed the trajectory of his life, and has since learned that many of the records from the mission who matched him up with that sponsor were ruined in the earthquake. He hopes that someday he will be reunited with that person so that he can offer thanks for the impact he has made on his life, and on the future of Haiti.
Fast forward many years, Gama was living in the United States in 2010, when he received an introduction to Len and Cherylann Gengel. Their beautiful daughter, Britney, had passed away in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the Gengel family was on a mission to build a world class orphanage in Grand Goave, and they were seeking Gama's help. "I had to believe I could do it, because Len and Cherylann Gengel believed in me and I couldn't let them down." Gama played an important role in building the Be Like Brit Orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti. Gama helped Len and Cherylann navigate the complexities of working and building a non-profit in Haiti, and in return the Gengel's coached Gama on how to change the world.
The Only Stupid Question: So how does one go about changing the world in Haiti? According to Gama, the most important lesson he learned from working alongside Len Gengel was this; "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask." According to Gama, Len taught him how to go out into the world and ask questions, lots of questions, until an answer was to be had. Gama says that building an earthquake proof orphanage for 66 children in a third world country is a daunting task to say the least. However, if you go out every day and get in front of people who know the answer, or who know someone who might know the answer, anything is possible. Gama says that this is more challenging than it might sound because when you ask a ton of question, it wears on people. As well, when you ask a lot of questions you begin to feel stupid for not knowing the answers. Gama says that it's vitally important to keep asking until you've squeezed out every ounce of knowledge from the people who have the ability to answer your questions.
Start Now: Gama's Tree of Hope Haiti mission has already built its first well that provides purified water in Grand Goave, Haiti. More than 500 people come down from the hillside, walking miles each way, to access the water. The well is not quite a replica of his vision, but he will build toward his vision over time. First, his goal is to add a second tank, which would allow for another 1000 gallons of water to be stored each day. As well, he hopes to add benches and landscaping around the well, so those that travel for miles to fill their jugs of water have a place to rest. Finally, he plans to eventually add showers on the back side of the well so that people can cool off from the long, hot, humid days. The initial well cost about $25,000 to build and install. It will cost another $15,000 to finish it the way he wants. The money is all raised through donations, mostly US contributors, who see value in investing in a better future for Haiti. The goal of Gama's Tree of Hope Haiti non-profit is to provide purified water, education to those who can't afford it, and better housing conditions to Haitians. As of now, he's provided one well and he has a handful of children who are receiving educational sponsorships. Gama says, "It's a start. It's small right now, but it's a start." Gama says that the need is so great in Haiti that he has pre-dispositioned himself to always "start now," even if he has not fully perfected his program. As the donations roll in, Gama's team at Tree of Hope Haiti, finds the best use of funds so to provide immediate relief to the greatest number of people.
Be The Hope: Gama says that of all his responsibilities in life, the one that is most important to him is being an ambassador of hope. Gama says that he wants to be the poster child for what is possible for Haitian children if they simply stick with their education. One of Gama's biggest mentors is Pastor Lex, his uncle who runs the Mission of Hope Haiti, a school that educates the children of Haiti. Gama says that he tries to find time regularly to visit Mission of Hope to talk to the kids and to inspire them so that they can see that it's possible to thrive in Haiti. Gama says it's essential that the next generation can see that each and every person has the ability to make powerful and long lasting changes in the future. Gama says that when anyone asks him what the key to success is in Haiti, he explains that education is vital, and the ability to speak English opens tons of doors that would otherwise never be opened. He says schools don't teach English in Haiti, but for the kids who figure out a way to learn it, English is the equivalent of a college degree in his country.
Kervince "Gama" Parayson is the future of Haiti. He is making a stronger, more beautiful, self-sustaining country than the one he was born into. Gama's story is one of strength, humility, perseverance, and hope. Gama's simple lesson that all of us can embrace is this: Anything is possible, because there is hope.
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