Our Story

Christie Charles and Esther Dupervil are Haitian-American students attending the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Together, Christie and Esther hope to create an air of optimism that will become contagious and spread in the lives of all they come in contact with and that will continue to grow well after they leave.

Christie Charles: As a Peace Corps Master’s International student in the Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) program, Christie has ambitions of using her first semester experience in a hands on manner through service in her country of heritage. She wants exposure to communities that will provide her with inspiration and understanding of what it means to be a true educator of the masses and to inspire a new generation of students in a different country.

For their service project, they will volunteer during winter term 2013 with the Haitian American Caucus (HAC) located in Croix des Bouquet, Haiti. One of the HAC’s main goals is to provide the tools, education, and finances necessary for the community members to attain sustainable income and ultimately provide a more promising life for themselves and their families. They offer English courses to teenage and adult students, teaching them grammar, vocabulary and communication skills at the beginner and advanced levels. Many of HAC programs focus on the children of the community. Their major activities include maintaining an elementary school and educating 85 children between the ages of three and sixteen each year. They also provide a child friendly space after school hours, where students can complete their homework and participate in academic and recreational extracurricular activities.