Trio of Suffolk Grads Taking Education, Inspiration to Haiti
Philvie Daniel, Stephanie Gayotte Bonbon, Migline Pier -- A trio of students graduating from Suffolk University took special meaning from the words of commencement speaker Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who has devoted his life to helping the people of Haiti.
Three of Suffolk's graduates are from the earthquake-ravaged nation, and set to invest their educations in their homeland.
Philvie Daniel, Stephanie Gayotte Bonbon and Migline Pier have dreamt of this day their entire lives.
"When Haiti pulls out of its slump, it's going to be this generation who does it," Dr. Farmer said. "I'm very excited to be part of it."
The country faces a long road to recovery, with infrastructure having crumbled in the earthquake. But the trio of graduates looks to Dr. Farmer for inspiration.
"He's been to Haiti, so I know he knows the struggles that the people in Haiti are facing right now," Daniel said.
"It's a lot to put yourself up for a nation that's not even yours," Gayotte Bonbon said.
"It makes me feel really proud that someone from outside the Haitian community took his time to do important work in our country," Pier said. "I'm actually inspired."
These three young women want to take this inspiration back to Haiti.
NECN, May 23, 2010