April 6 will be the next step in the process of improving the lives of Haitians in the country’s peninsula.
On that day, the Clyde Christian Bible Church is putting on a dinner and variety concert to help raise money to build a trade school in the community of Port Salut.
“We’re just trying to help out from our end of it,” said Dennis Carbert, one of six people who are heading down to Haiti this November to lend a hand with the project.
Carbert explained the church community got involved with the trade school project through pastor Chris Lantz.
When Lantz was at bible college, he met Haitian pastor Ricot Leon, Carbert said.
Since that meeting, Leon has moved back to Haiti and started working to help orphaned and unemployed Haitians get back on their feet.
“He’s hoping to build a trade school near an orphanage to start educating these young people,” Carbert said.
A property has been found for the school, leaving securing the land and building the school as the remaining tasks, he added.
Carbert, his wife Barb and four other church members are covering their own airfare, he said, meaning all the money the concert raises will be used for supplies.
One thing Carbert said he and his peers need to be wary of is sending the wrong message by their presence.
“We’re not going down there to be the great white hope,” he said.
“That’s one thing we have to worry about being white people, we can’t think we’re going to save the world. We just have to help and pray that we can get these people going on the right foot.”
Barb said the dinner and concert is slated for April 6 at the Clyde Community Hall.
On tap for the show is a mix of singers and instrumental ensembles, she said, including high school soloists, a high school band, gospel singers and her own quintet of singers.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” she said.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
“Once everybody’s eaten, we will start our variety concert,” Barb said.
With all the proceeds going to the Haitian school, she said there’s no reason not to come out for an evening of food and good music.
“Come and enjoy the local talent and have supper with us,” Barb said.
“Every cent will go towards this building project in Haiti.”
