Genalda Baptist Lemanchigel
needs your help
Genalda Baptist Lemanchigel is a nine-year-old girl who lives in the impoverished town of Duval Roche, Haiti. Genalda lives with both of her parents and her two younger brothers in a one-room house, but she says neither of her parent’s work.
Genalda’s grandmother used to have a business buying and reselling groceries, and she would use some of her profit to support Genalda’ family, but Genalda says her grandmother has been out of work since February. Genalda says her grandmother is no longer able to continue her business because she ran out of funds, and since then, it has become harder for Genalda’s family to get by.
Genalda says her family is nearly always sick, and they are able to visit the hospital when it is necessarily, but the financial strain means her family must go without other necessities. Genalda says, in the past, even before her grandmother lost her job, she had to go has as many as two days without eating. She has also had difficulty attending school regularly. “Whenever I go to school,” she says, “they kick me out for school money.” Genalda has had to spend several years not going to school so, although she is currently enrolled, she is only in 3rd grade.
To help her family, Genalda says she does chores around the house such as wash dishes, sweep, and make the beds. Besides work, Genalda says she enjoys jumping rope, studying, doing homework, and learning how to read. Genalda says she loves going to school, and she is happy for the most part except when she gets kicked out of school. If Genalda can complete school, she says she would like to become a nurse “so that I can help people.”
Genalda attended FAIRE Gardens’ kids’ club for the first time on March 4th, 2017, and she says she loves it. At kids’ club, Genalda says she plays games and learns how to sing. If kids’ club could do more to help Genalda and her family, however, she says she wishes they could have more toys, games, and new songs, as well as provide a school for the children. When asked how her family could be helped the most, Genalda’s simple request was, “Just feed us.”
The cost for Genalda to finish third grade is $390 for the year, and she can have a chance at a better future and sustainable income. With your help, a monthly donation of only $49, Genalda will be able to pursue better job opportunities in the future and bring resources and ingenuity back into her community. Please consider helping Genalda so she can have hope for something beyond poverty.