It has been almost two years since I was in Haiti. When there I had the pleasure of meeting a young lady named Farmega Innocent. Farmega was assigned to me as my Haitian translator. I now think we were brought together as a mutual blessing. Farmega was by my side day in and day out. She not only translated the words being said to me, but she also filled me in on the cultural meanings of what was behind the words. She was patient, kind, and God's love was shining through her to others in so many ways. She took notes of what treatments we used for different ailments in order to continue to serve when no more "help" came. I think a graffiti picture on a wall said it best "Don't forget us". That seemed to describe the feelings I seemed to uncover in a lot of the Haitians. They were afraid the rest of the world would forget their plight. I too am afraid the world has forgotten them.
After returning home, I continued to think of Farmega and the life that lay ahead of her. She had planned to go to college, however, during her first semester there the earthquake quickly changed her plans. The University and many of the faculty were destroyed and killed. When I asked Farmega what she would do now, she replied "I will wait until they rebuild my University, then I will go to school." I knew that this dream would not be fulfilled in her lifetime.
Farmega and her situation lay heavy on my heart. One day I asked my husband, Tom, what he thought about the possibility of our bringing Farmega here to live with us and attend college here. Surely, God must have softened his heart to this because without hesitation he said, "Sure". I didn't have to use any of the prearranged arguments I had prepared in my head on him!
I sent Farmega and e-mail and asked her if she would be interested in coming to the U.S. and attending Nursing School here. She didn't respond for a couple of days. I think she thought it was a joke or something. When she did respond it was a resounding "Yes, when can I start?"
So began an almost two year process of hurdles and hoops to get Farmega's paperwork in order for her to travel here to study nursing at Calhoun Community College. Getting the paperwork from the school to her has involved month long waits between posting and receiving packages of needed paperwork. One time in order to mail a paper she needed to take to the Embassy in a timely manner, it cost $100 to have DHL deliver it to her home. Fortunately, we discovered we could scan and e-mail a lot of the paperwork she needed and she could print it on her end from a borrowed computer and printer. She has had to take an English proficiency exam. The first time she did not pass by about 2% points. She passed with flying colors the second time, however, it is costly to take the exam each time. Her perseverance has proven to me her commitment and desire to obtain her nursing degree.
If all goes well from this point forward she will have an appointment at the Embassy in December to obtain her student VISA, she will arrive here the last week of December, and she will begin classes at Calhoun on January 9, 2012.
Farmega's father, Atonic is a carpenter. Her mother Clemene is a homemaker. Her older brother, Abraham is still in high school. Her older sister, Christlaure is still in high school. All of her grandparents are deceased. Her family is very supportive of her coming here to study and will help support her as they can. It is an exciting adventure she is about to embark on, however, I'm sure she will be anxious as she has never traveled outside of her home town of Pernier in Haiti. I hope if you meet Farmega, you will make her feel welcome. Please pray for Farmega and Tom and I that this will be a blessing for us all.
