Their stories are heartfelt and inspiring examples of how the experience of receiving a primary education empowered them to continue with their studies, train for jobs, and secure careers. A common theme in the testimonies is the immense gratefulness for not only the opportunity to attend school, but for being well fed. All students receive a meal each day they are in school.
They recall with fondness their experience of being cared for by the school’s founder, Myrtha, or Manmei, as the students call her, crediting her for motivating them with both discipline and affection.
In November, one of the Friends’ members is going to visit the school in Lilavois, Haiti, to film some of these young women and their testimonies. Stay tuned for more developments on the video, and in the meantime, look for photo updates on what a life-changing education does in the lives of Haitian girls.
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.
Marie Michelle St Vil
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.
Clecia St Fleur Beauvais
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.
Sainnilia Lumines
I do not have a mother. My mother died when I was 11 years old. We were living in the countryside. After my mom’s death, a lady took me to Port-au-Prince , but she did not put me in school. Another lady in the area asked me “Do you know sister Myrtha?” I said “no.” But this lady was a cook at Ecole Agape. So I went to Ecole Agape and told sister Myrtha that I would like to register.
After my sixth year at Ecole Agape, Manmie told me that she is going to send me to a cooking school. She paid 3 years of a good cooking school for me. If I am a good cook today in charge of the cafeteria at Ecole Agape, it is thanks to Manmie.
Luronne
Manmie took me in her house and took care of all my needs. I was 20. I will always remember how she would take care of me when I was sick. I did my 2 last years of primary school at Ecole Agape. After that I went to College Coeur de Jesus at Santo. And then I took some technical courses in professional training schools like Cosmetology and Sewing.
I also studied culinary art at Les Filles de Marie. My first job was at an orphanage where I used to sew for the children. And then I worked as a supervisor at a restaurant. Actually I am working as a Cafeteria Supervisor at a Police Department.
Nathalie Maxi
If I have to say everything Mamie has done for me I will never have enough words to express myself. But I will give you a small resume. I was just 6 when I came to live with Manmie. She immediately put me at Agape School. For her, school and church was the 2 instruments that we should always keep to succeed in life. She was very careful about our studies. She taught us to live like sisters. One should watch upon the other. We should always share and love God.
Manmie was not only our mother in the house, she was also the mother of the whole community. With Ecole Agape she has founded, she gave many parents the opportunity to have a good school where their children would find a good quality education, and she also taught them, parents and children, the way to church.
I wish that, Ecole Agape which is Manmie’s dream come true will always stay alive. Manmie would treat us with love and wisdom. She was a true mom for me, the ideal mom.
Gina Jeanty
I am a former student of Ecole Agape and I am one of the many children Myrtha Manigat used to help a lot, and really a lot. She gave us a very good education, raised us and feed us well in her own house.
I used to live in a very poor area. I did not have access to school. I did not have access to food either which is a necessity especially for a child and any human being.
Myrtha Manigat, or Manmie as we used to call her, offered me a home, a free school and a good education. It is thanks to her that I know how to read and write. She gave me all the framing I needed to be who I am today. After Primary School at Agape, I went to High School and then to a Secretarial School where I obtained my diploma. Now I am the owner of my own business!
If today I can stand in front of an audience and speak, it is thanks to Manmie.I will never forget that if I did not die of hunger when I was a child, it is thanks to her! I was hungry and she feed me. I am happily married and the owner of a gym where I work!