Be a Difference Maker Program: Bringing Education to Love Orphanage

Created by Sam Milano, Girl Scout Silver Award Recipient Going for the Girl Scout Gold Award!

The Be a Difference Maker Program was created in 2014 by 13 year old Sam Milano as the focus of her prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award project with the sole purpose of bringing formal and supplemental education to the children of Love Orphanage. Enjoy reading the history of what inspired Sam as an eighth grader to take on such a large undertaking and perhaps you will feel called to support her mission to continually expand educational opportunities to the deserving children at Love Orphanage.

Sam was inspired

by the Girl Rising movie, which depicted the plight of girls around the world, mostly in developing nations. This film was deeply disturbing and Sam left the theatre wishing she could so something to help. She was especially aware of the young Haitian girl in the film, Wadley, who lost her ability to attend school when her home and her mother’s work were lost in the 2010 earthquake.

WITH YOUR HELP, AND THE ASSISTANCE OF SO MANY CARING PEOPLE, MY DREAM OF SENDING THE LOVE ORPHANAGE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IS FINALLY A REALITY.

SAM MILANO

Three days later,

Sam met Ahaji Schreffler, Founder of We the Village, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of impoverished children in Haiti by providing a stable and loving home that nurtures the whole child – Love Orphanage. After a number of exploratory meetings with Ahaji, Sam decided to create her Girl Scout Silver Award project for the benefit of children at Love Orphanage. She was led to work in partnership with We the Village and be mentored by Ahaji Schreffler.

Sam’s Silver Award project

focused upon raising awareness about the educational challenges facing the children of Love Orphanage. The difficulty in obtaining a quality education is complex due to the loss of parents/family in the earthquake, living in an impoverished country, and a substandard educational system that many can not afford. Despite the challenges, Sam’s focus was clear: “I believe a loving home and a good education are the way these children can rise out of poverty and transform their lives.”

With quality education as the overarching goal,

Sam sought to learn about the obstacles for the Love Orphanage family and to educate people so they may choose to participate as Difference Makers. Sam identified three major goals for the Silver Award Be a Difference Maker project, highlighted below. She also inspired Community Partners to get involved as Difference Makers and grew a team of committed volunteers to support the goals. “Together we can make the dream of education a reality for the Love Orphanage children.” The Be a Difference Maker Community Partners invited Sam to speak at a variety of fundraisers. All of Sam’s Silver Award goals were surpassed thanks to the generosity of Difference Makers everywhere!

The Be a Difference Maker Program has provided:

• Delivery of a temporary classroom with backpacks, school, and art 10 suitcases were delivered to LO directly by Drexel University students in 2014
• Private school tuition, uniforms, and books were funded for 16 children in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. All children passed their end of year exams.
• In-home tutoring in French, basic skills, and art was essential to create the possibility of success in a private The LO kids spoke French which is the official language of Haiti’s educational system.
• A new kitchen and large table for the Nutrition is critical for the child learner and a comfortable place to eat, socialize, and do homework is important for every student.
• Sustainable tuition program – 12 out of 17 children are already funded for the 2016-2017 school year.

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Girl Scout Gold Award

Upon the completion of her Silver award, Sam started her Gold Award in the hopes of expanding the project and getting more of her community involved. She worked with We the Village to continue to raise awareness about the need for education as a way to rise out of poverty. Sam also realized, after traveling to Haiti in 2016, that supplementary forms of education are necessary in helping the children learn more about their country and where they come from.

Sam set a goal

of purchasing a van for the orphanage so the kids could go on field trips outside of their town. Growing up doing field trips in her own schools, Sam was inspired to extend the same opportunity to the kids at Love Orphanage. This van provides an even larger impact on the wellbeing of the children as Gabriel can set up a transportation business. With these goals in mind, Sam returned to Haiti in July 2017 and reunited with the children.

The Be a Difference Maker Program has met these Gold Award Goals:

• Sustainable tuition for all children for school years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Ongoing donations are building the Be a Difference Maker fund for future schooling.
• Purchase of a van was made possible with donations and a grant.
• Culture Camp – June, 2016 and July, 2017
• Solar Suitcase (installed during 2016 Culture Camp) bringing electricity to Love Orphanage
• Classroom-library for new building is funded
• Temporary library of French books and learning games delivered – 2016, 2017
• Two years of supplies for arts and crafts delivered – 2016, 2017

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Gabriel and Sam’s Words of Gratitude about the Be a Difference Maker Program:

Gabriel:

“Education means the world for our children. Before living here, most of them had never once been to school. Without school there is no future. Especially in a country like Haiti, education can make the difference between poverty and a stable life. The children realize this, so to them education means life! You working for our kids to have education is actually working for them to have LIFE.”

Sam:

“I am a Difference Maker who knows the power of a community coming together to dream the future for the children of Love Orphanage. These children have found a family in the US and we aim to continue helping them grow, learn, and prosper. We have a long way to go, yet we fully expect that the Love O kids will develop into Difference Makers who can influence Haiti’s future in a positive way. Thank you for being a part of our dream!”

Check out Sam’s blogs to learn more about Be a Difference Maker projects benefiting Love Orphanage. Perhaps you will be inspired to get involved, become a Difference Maker, and spread the word!