Ecole Agape Students Tell Their Stories

Because it is true, as former student Marie Michelle wrote: We have Agape love in our hearts. We will not give up. We will not let go.

Please find all testimonies as they are added on our Student Testimonies page.

I remember we were 25 girls in the house! She  (Manmei) loved us all equally even though it was tough for her to raise alone 25 children in a house.  She would tell us all the time that there are 2 important things in life: Church and School.  The others would come after. I believe this is why she founded Ecole Agape. She was sure it was the best way to give us the best education.

After my years at Ecole Agape, I passed the Primary School state exams and went to high school. Afterwards, I attended Auxiliary Nursing School and a Cosmetology School thanks to Manmie. In 2007 I help her create a Cultural Center in the community called CJHAC (Cultural Center for the future of young Haitians) in order to help the young in the community find their way.  I have learned a lot with Manmie.  If I have succeeded in my life, it is thanks to her. She guided me in the right ways. I will never thank God enough for that blessed day she has accepted to take me in.   May her soul rest in peace.

I pray every day that other children find the same opportunity I have received at Ecole Agape.

~ Testimony of Clecia St Fleur Beauvais

Manmie would love everyone, but she had special attention for children.  She did not like delinquency and she would repeat that children who do not go to school would mostly become thief, assassin or criminal tomorrow. I have realized over the years that her words were true.

But she was not just speaking words.  She turned her words into action by founding Agape School with the help of God and of many people who loved the idea and agreed to help her succeed. I did not know those people who were helping her. I never spoke to them but I had the desire to meet them to thank them personally and tell them how they saved so many families.

My dear Manmie is no longer here, but I feel that these people are still there because Manmie’s dream is still alive. My biggest fear when Manmie got ahead of us to Heaven was for the school. I was afraid it would close. I was afraid Manmie’s dream would stop because times (are) more difficult now and life more expensive; we are going from bad to worse. 

But when I look up, there is no reason for me to worry because there are strong men and women who are continuing the fight, who are continuing to struggle so that the dream can keep on going. I am saying to the families who were crying, families who were desperate and lost hope: Manmie is gone, it is a fact, but she left valiant men and women, people who have Agape love in their heart, people who said they will not give up, they will not let go. It is true we will never be able to repay them, and saying “Thank you” is not good enough.

~ Testimony of Marie Michelle St Vil