Wilbraham & Monson Academy Admission officer and Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach Chris Sparks ’95 returned to school after winter break both humbled and energized by the time he and seven WMA students spent in Haiti. They traveled to the village of Montrouis, where they painted a school that educates over 200 students in grades K-12 and is totally funded by private investors. The students who went with Sparks were: Casey Berg of Wilbraham, Laura Dederichs, an exchange student from Germany, Jack Humsey of Somerville, Teresa Kennedy of Wilbraham, Kelsey Tomlinson of Brooklyn, New York, Jeannette Viens of Wilbraham, Scott Watson of Kellyville, Australia, and Scott’s friend Joe Orlandi, who is a student at Dean University.

For Watson, it was a life-changing experience. He commented, “Although they lacked the basic necessities of clean water, a roof over their heads, and the luxury of having a meal every day, the Haitian people are so appreciative of what they have. Being with them, even for a short time, changed my outlook on life. I’m very grateful for my life.”

Haiti is by far the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, where according to the World Bank 78% of the population lives on less than $2 a day and 54% live on less than $1 a day, where the literacy rate is around 50% and the life expectancy is 52 years. The country had not really recovered from a hurricane last August when it suffered the latest disaster, a major earthquake, centered near the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Sparks and the students, who approached him about helping with the project, managed to paint both the classrooms and the exterior of the building in just three days. They paid for the paint and were able to hire four painters to help at $10.00 a day. On the fourth day, they went to a village and spent some time with families who lost their homes in the hurricane, and then went to a local market on Main Street. They also served meals at two orphanages, where they donated 100 pounds of rice. The first orphanage was home to 17 children, and the second place had 27 children living there.

Sparks commented, “The projects were great and did a lot to help the community; however, I think the biggest benefit is how the WMA students connected with the local community.” He found this opportunity through two friends who had previously worked with Life Connection Mission, a multi-denominational non-profit focused on educating the children of Montrouis and bettering their lives. Kennedy remembers the happiness of the people, too. She says, “Everyone we met there seemed to be genuinely trying to be happy and to share their joy with those around them. One thing I have gained from this experience is a greater global view, as well as a better idea of the lifestyle and customs of people in different parts of the world.”

We are grateful that the town of Montrouis suffered minimal damage in the earthquake, and hopeful that soon the generosity of people around the world will bring the citizens of Haiti the help they need. Students, faculty, and staff at the Academy are participating in a fund drive and students in Blake Middle School at the Academy are conducting “Penny Wars” to contribute to the effort.