Lake Forest alum speaks about Haitian problems, solutions

By: Marissa Mazza

Posted: 2/7/08

Illiteracy, kidnappings, disease, and child prostitution are among the evils that threaten the youth of the poverty-stricken country. From building schools to writing a children's book, Lake Forest College alumna Ruth Paul-Caudle '98 is fighting to improve the lives of children in her native country.

Paul-Caudle spoke to an audience of 25 Lake Forest College students and faculty members last Wednesday in Buchanan Hall. Bridging The Gap, a support group for teachers preparing to teach in high needs schools, and the Office of Intercultural Relations cosponsored the Paul-Caudle event.

She told of her efforts to alleviate poverty among Haitian children. Haiti is currently the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with 80% of its population living below the poverty line and roughly half of the population is illiterate, according to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

"The poor of Haiti do not have a fighting chance," said Paul-Caudle. "As a human being the question to ask is this: would I want someone to help me if the situation were reversed? I believe that we have a moral duty to serve others and to really try and make a difference."

Born and raised in Haiti, Paul-Caudle, 34, grew up in a family of twelve. Although she considers her family to have been "a part of the smaller privileged class," Paul-Caudle's family still lived below their means. Her father, a minister, helped build schools, roads, and an orphanage for the people of her native country.

"We had to live below our means so that others had a chance to live at all," Paul-Caudle said of her childhood.

In 1992, she left Haiti for Lake Forest College, where Paul-Caudle had the opportunity to travel abroad to Paris and work with the United Nations, where became aware of global issues such as child labor and child prostitution. At the college, she studied under French professor Cynthia Hahn, who now admires her former student.

"She is a real role model for our students," said Hahn, who, last semester, invited Paul-Caudle to classes to talk about her unpublished novel Invisible in Plain Sight. "She was a wonderful student, always interested in learning more about socio-cultural issues affecting French speakers. Her warmth and enthusiasm are infectious and she sends a powerful message to our students that one person can indeed make a difference."

Paul-Caudle began her journey to make a difference in 1999. After her father's death and a visit to the orphanage he founded, Paul-Caudle and her husband, Brian, saw firsthand the hardships Haitian children face. Paul-Caudle was troubled by the children's two-and-a-half-hour walk to school each morning. She and her husband asked how they could help the children. The unexpected answer: build a school.

"My first thought was, 'with what?'" said Paul-Caudle.

"What" turned out to be a gospel concert held in a Lake Villa church, which raised over $20,000 to help build the Spirit of Truth School. While organizing the concert, Paul-Caudle found herself in line at Jo-Ann Fabrics with over $300 worth of fabric and no cash or credit card to pay for it. A generous patron footed the entire bill for her. This unknown woman restored Paul-Caudle's faith in humanity.

The school opened in 2001 on the premises of her father's orphanage to fewer than 50 students. Today, the school, funded by the Ebner Paul Foundation co-created by Paul-Caudle and her husband in honor of her father, provides free education to over 300 Haitian children.

"I firmly believe that education is a pathway needed to break the cycle of poverty that has plagued Haiti for decades," she said. Quoting one of her favorite writers Maya Angelou, she added, "When you know better, you do better. We want to teach the children better so that they can do better."

Paul-Caudle claims that her school's test scores on a national exam were among some of the highest in Haiti.

"I thought it was amazing to see that such an underprivileged school can have such amazing educational outcomes," said senior education major Merissa Martin.

But Paul-Caudle says that she hasn't done it alone; she's had support from many individuals and corporations along the way.

In January of 2008, while packing for her most recent trip to Haiti, Adidas and other sport suppliers sent four boxes of complete soccer uniforms for the children of Spirit of Truth Orphanage, which Paul-Caudle had requested months earlier.

"For it to show up while I was packing for Haiti was nothing short of a miracle," Paul-Caudle said."When you are doing something that is right, when you are doing something that is good, doors will open and other people will see what you are doing and will come alongside you and lend a helping hand."

Paul-Caudle's latest project is the recent release of her first children's book Yvette, Annette, and Renette, the story of three Haitian sisters who alternate going to church every Sunday because they only have one nice dress between them. Paul-Caudle, who loves to write, said she often tells stories to her three children about growing up in Haiti. Her book was her opportunity to put those stories down on paper. All proceeds from her book sales go towards raising money for the Spirit of Truth School.

Erin Mink Garvey, program coordinator for the Office of Intercultural Relations, played a role in bringing Paul-Caudle's presentation to campus.

"I think it's important for the college to have talks like this because I think it helps students see things in different lights," said Mink.

The presentation shed light the poverty in Haiti for attendee freshman Catherine Cudahy.

"I didn't know what was going on in Haiti and I really like how socially conscious Ruth is about how she's going to bring about change," said freshman Catherine Cudahy.

Paul-Caudle's cousin Stephanie Paul, a Lake Forest College junior, also attended the event.

"Ruth has inspired me to strive to do better and help in any way I can. Watching my whole family go back to Haiti and get involved is making me want to do the same," said Paul. "If Ruth needs help, I'll always be there to help her."

Next on Paul-Caudle's agenda is organizing a walkathon in spring 2008 to raise money for Spirit of Truth Orphanage. Students interested in the walkathon should contact Paul-Caudle via email (paulcaudle@hotmail.com).

Paul-Caudle urged audience members to find their own causes to fight for.

"Don't be afraid to do what it takes to make a difference," she said. "Go out there and be your true selves."