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Emory & Henry students create nonprofit organization to help Haitian school children

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Emory & Henry students Bendsondy Pierre and Jackson Kaze created UMEPAM, a nonprofit organization that provides the children of Les Cayemites, Haiti with school supplies, sports equipment, and food to eat, to ensure a positive learning environment for each student.

Pierre is from Les Cayemites, Haiti and moved to the United States in 2015 with his mother and brother.

“I created UMEPAM to give those who don’t have a dream something to fight for,” said Pierre. “I remembered going to school with an empty stomach, carrying my books, and getting sent back home because my mother couldn’t pay for my school. It all changed in 2015.”

After meeting Pierre on the men’s soccer team and listening to him describe some of the struggles that he had growing up, it became clear to Jackson that he wanted to help Pierre make a change.

“Pierre told me that some kids don’t have shoes to wear, or pencils to write with, and sometimes go days without eating,” said Jackson. “These are things that everyone should have access to, regardless of who they are or where they come from.”

​​The organization’s name is in French and stands for Une Meilleure Éducation Pour Un Avenir Meilleur, which in English means Better Education Brighter Future.

For more information, please visit www.umepam.org.

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Bendsondy Pierre and Jackson Kaze
Bendsondy Pierre and Jackson Kaze
I created UMEPAM to give those who don’t have a dream something to fight for.
- Bendsondy Pierre

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