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I am super super excited to announce the Bonas and Beyond program!
This fall approximately 20 Haitian students will be coming to St. Bonaventure to participate in over 2 weeks of classes and cultural exchange. It will be a great way for the Haitians to learn about America and for members of the Bonaventure community (including local residents) to learn about Haiti.
It is going to be GREAT!
Bonas and Beyond Pamphlet
How will it work?
Haitian students will take part in a series of classes and seminars on campus and will make trips to experience local businesses, farms, and regional tourist attractions. In addition to the organized educational activities, the Haitian students will be immersed in the US culture daily. They will also have the opportunity to share lessons with their hosts on Haitian Creole, history, culture, and the Haitian economy.
After the conference, We will also be launching an online- not for credit learning program to help educate people while also making friends and associates from around the globe.
Classes will be taught on a volunteer basis by professors, students, and experts from the Bonaventure community. The classes will be in English and available online for free
What will they do?
Although visiting the US is a dream for many Haitian students, we recognize that it is a massive investment for them. It is our goal, therefore, to keep the students very active during their stay so that they can get the most out of this cultural exchange. Planned activities include:
Classes
(1 hour each)
Seminars
(1-2 hours each)
Trips
(tentative; not yet approved)
Accounting
Economics*
Finance*
Marketing
Environmental Science
Computers and leadership
*These will meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Note: Economics and Finance may be combined
Sanitation
Water
Irrigation Kits and Gardening
Solar Energy
Teaching (Standards)
Teaching (Practical Tips)
Project Management
St. Francis Week: We Are All One
NGO Management
Job Readiness and US College Preparation
Political Science
Physical Education
Yoga
Niagara Falls
State Park
(Allegany, most likely)
Olean Wholesale Group
Olean General Hospital
Canticle Farms
Large Dairy Farm
Local Business -TBD
Police/Municipal Building
Restaurant - TBD
Mount Irenaeus
How can you get involved?
Host a meal (or eat out with them at a local restaurant)
Sponsor a student (food alone will cost over $200 during their stay)
Allow them to present to your class or group on Haiti
Attend presentations on campus
Attend a meal on campus with the students (BBQ or wrap up meal)
Be a community host (assisting with logistics and tours)
Provide transportation to off-site activities
Donate school supplies for the students to take home
Donate soccer equipment to be shipped to Haiti
Other details:
The Haitian students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the Buffalo International Airport. From there we will pick them up, drive them to campus, and host them in an on-campus dorm. We will also provide their daily meals, through the dining hall and off-site accommodations (including local church groups, picnics, a BBQ, etc).
Approximately 25% of the students will speak English fluently. If you know of a Haitian Creole speaker who would be willing to volunteer to be a translator, please let us know.
Transportation will be a challenge. Please let us know if you would be willing to drive.
The students will be attending men’s and women’s soccer games, watching a MNF game, etc. Participating in tailgate events would be a great cultural experience for them.
Bonagany and Francis Week will both take place during their stay.
Depending on the budget, students would ideally be provided with “goodie” bag, as well.
A pamphlet is available here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YrwPGXlc9DrrFlSLnzfcgpf2x30U3IEzVh0jy89-8GE/pub
