Esther, Haiti, enrolled in 2019
Esther, 22, comes from a long line of remarkable Haitian women—matriarchs who have shown that true strength, resilience, and success aren’t defined by wealth. These qualities take many forms, something Esther, her mother, and grandmother could each teach us through their lived experience.
Esther is the ninth of ten children. Her mother, Elcina, was not only the mother of ten but also the grandmother of eight—many of whom moved in and out of her home regularly until she passed in 2022. Esther fondly remembers her grandmother, who also lived with the family, sitting in their small courtyard with great-grandchildren curled up in her lap.
Throughout Esther’s childhood, her father worked tirelessly to grow enough food to sustain the family. But living in rural Haiti meant their crops—and their lives—were at the mercy of erratic weather, which often brought drought. But living in rural Haiti meant their crops—and their well-being—were often at the mercy of unpredictable weather and frequent droughts. On good days, the family shared a simple meal of rice; on harder days, they made do with just a small piece of bread. Still, hardship didn’t harden them. Instead, it deepened their generosity. With so little, they gave much—sharing what they had to ensure no one went without. It’s a virtue Esther carries with her to this day.
She became a Scholar with Mercy Beyond Borders in 2019, determined to pursue an education and become a pediatrician. But getting to school was never easy. For years, Esther lived with extended family and friends to be closer to her school. Sometimes, she had to miss class because of the chores expected of her by host families. Thankfully, MBB staff stepped in to work with those families and developed a plan that allowed Esther to meet her responsibilities and still attend school.
Esther (right) with her classmates and fellow MBB Scholars.
Esther has moved through life with grace and fortutide—never relenting, never letting go of her dream to learn. That dream has come at a cost: leaving home at a young age, mourning her mother from a distance, and being unable to visit her younger brother and closest friend because gangs control the only road between them.
Esther is on track to graduate from high school in 2026. Despite the challenges that still lie ahead, she will achieve her goal—not only of attending school, but of so much more.
Before her passing, Elcina reflected on Esther’s journey and said, “I cannot explain how thankful I am for the MBB program. I pray for each of you every day, that you will not become discouraged in your work, because this program enables my family to take a small breath of hope.”
Esther is that hope. And that hope is made possible by donors who believe in our Scholars as deeply as we hope they believe in themselves.