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Haiti Mission Trip

A team of 12 amazing, dedicated and compassionate, people planned a trip to Haiti in 2019. Unfortunately, the trip has been postponed due to unrest in the country. We are looking to reschedule while maintaining our mission to help from afar.

The goal of this trip is to build relationships with the community, staff, teachers, and children at the school Centre D’Etude Luminere in Mariani, Haiti. To continue to foster excellence in education through collaborative teaching, providing teaching supplies, and developing relationships. Our mission team feels that this year’s trip is critical in building the relationship aspect of the trip. It demonstrates the value of the community, teachers, and students.

Planning this trip began in the fall of 2018. Exciting things are in store for this journey. We want to share this trip with you as we embark to Haiti to work with the community, teachers, staff, nurse, and our sponsored children.

Our Trip Team

Nicole Waite


My first trip to Haiti was in 2014. I went as a chaperone with the youth from Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Naperville. Truthfully, my main reason for this trip was to experience this journey with my daughter, Jaycie. Being a professional photographer, my job on the trip was to be the main photographer. Little did I know, looking through a lens, watching and observing this community, that this experience would change my life. My story is on the Haiti Scholars website, "Tell our story." Last year's mission trip brought 19 people to this community. Their goal was to discern if this mission was a healthy one. Haiti Scholars is what it is today because a group of people felt pulled to this community, held hands, held our breath, trusted in God's plans and took the leap of faith. What a huge leap that was, but we believed that together we could change the lives of children in a small community in Haiti. Fast forward a year, Haiti Scholars in now a nonprofit organization, we have donated 4,000 dollars worth of teaching materials that this school needed, hired a a local Haitian man named Wilhem to oversee our students and work with the staff, created an active board and team, and had several fundraisers. We will be taking the school their first 20 computers on our future trip.

I was a photographer for 15 years, but my first occupation before having my three children, (Patrick, Nicholas, and Jaycie) was being a first-grade teacher. I love working with children. Last year I closed my photography business and am now a special education teacher's assistant. I love my new job and the people I work with. I have a fantastic husband, Greg, who supports me on this path for it has required much work, time and meetings. He came last year to Haiti to see first hand why my heart has been pulled to this place in the world. Every day, I want to pinch myself and see if this is all just a dream. I am seriously overwhelmed by the many people who make up Haiti Scholars and have made this journey possible. There are those who are in the background, who have never visited this special place, yet dedicate hours to help this community. There are those who have held hands with the children, hugged the staff and listened to this community's concerns and hopes for the children of Mariani, Haiti, who then return to the states knowing they are called to walk alongside these people in partnership, compassion, and love. There are those who have donated money to pay for scholarships and school supplies. This tapestry of many people have the same goal in mind - to provide hope, self-esteem, and empowerment through education to change lives. My heart is open to all the amazing possibilities of this trip.

Sue Sheehan


Since my first visit to Mariani, Haiti, last year, I have been looking forward to visiting this beautiful island of wonderful people. The Pastor, educators, and students of Centre E’tudes Lumiere, the staff and children of Good Shepherd Orphanage and the interpreters of Praying Pelican left an everlasting impression.

Haiti Scholars, Inc. and its members have given me the opportunity to be a part of furthering the education of Haitian children. I pray that I can fulfill their needs and my desires to succeed in this endeavor.

I have been involved in education for over 40 years, teaching and providing educational opportunities for students in STEM fields. I am also a wife and mother of 2 grown sons. My hope is that one day they may also get the chance to visit Haiti.

Rachel Mayszak

My name is Rachel and I am blessed to be returning to Haiti for the second year in a row. I am currently a 1st Grade Special Education Resident Teacher in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I will receive both my licenses for special and elementary education in May from Carroll University. When I’m not with children in the classroom, I spend most of my time nannying 4 beautiful kiddos (all under the age of 7).

Haiti is a place that has been deeply rooted in my heart. Though this will only be my second time back, there is no doubt in my mind that I will fall in love all over again. Haiti has given me more than I could have ever possibly imagined, and I pray that I will connect, serve, and learn with prior and new relationships once again from the community we visit.

Caryn Borgetti


My name is Caryn Borgetti. This will be my first mission trip.  I was supposed to visit the children of Haiti February 2018 but I lost my father suddenly right before the trip so I feel I am finishing work that was calling me one year ago.  I have been a music teacher in Naperville Elementary schools for 14 years and an early childhood music teacher for the last 20 years.  My heart is open for what God wants me to see and share in Haiti and I know I will be changed forever.

Cayla Borgetti

Hi! My name is Cayla Borgetti and I’m 25 years old. I’m a 3rd year special education teacher and am currently teaching in Naperville 203 school district. I’ve been to Haiti 3 times now and I am SO excited to be going back. Each time that I have gone has been different from the last. There are new relationships built, new adventures, and countless beautiful memories made. I don’t know what God has in store for me this trip, but I look forward to the journey he has planned for us all, when we return. 

Susan Ferguson

I am so excited about being a part of this amazing group and traveling to Haiti.This is my first trip to Haiti. I feel God’s call in making this journey, and my heart, head and hands are open to using my gifts to contribute to our mission.

I was a high school teacher and department chair for 33 years, and was also an assistant professor of education at Northern Illinois University. For many years I also consulted and worked in staff development in the areas of reading and literacy.

In Haiti I look forward to working side by side with teachers to focus on how best to help students learn, and of course to interacting with students. God will help us to build strong relationships.He will also show us how we can best use this experience once we return to strengthen the work of Haiti Scholars. My heart is filled with anticipation and excitement for this journey.

Christine Robinson

I have been hearing about Haiti for over 6 years as all three of my children have traveled on mission trips to Mariani several times. Seeing the church that they all helped build will be an amazing experience. I am especially looking forward to meeting the joyful, spirit-filled Haitian people I have heard so much about.

I spend the majority of my time volunteering and being involved at church. Being part of Haiti Scholars is very exciting and I can’t wait to see the school, meet the teachers and staff, and see the students who are part of the Haiti Scholars mission.

Debbie Phillips

This will be my first mission trip out of our country. That said, I am filled with many emotions ranging from excitement to wonder, with a splash of anxiousness, to see what God has in store.

My first job was 25 years ago as a Pediatric Rehab Nurse caring for children who suffered from a wide variety of traumatic accidents or chronic illnesses. After 5 years as an RN, God blessed my life with a husband and two children who are now 19 and 20. My career shifted from nurse to full-time wife and mom; volunteer, including mentoring children through their faith journey; and gymnastics coach, sharing one of my greatest childhood passions with young children. Seeing a need for children to develop healthy life skills, I also became a trainer, focusing on helping teens develop proper nutrition and exercise habits.

People and circumstances along life’s journey have thankfully led me to Jesus and building a stronger relationship with God. Doors have continually opened to help and love children. And now the door has opened once again with the amazing opportunity to join this wonderful team as God leads us to help serve and love the community of Mariani. – “ I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut…” -Revelation 3:8

Camilla Daly

My name is Camilla (Cam) Daly.

I’m very thankful to have this opportunity to travel to Haiti for the second time with the group Haiti Scholars, Inc.

I’ve lived in Lisle, Illinois with my husband Ray for 25 years. We’ve been married for 32 years and have a son, Bobby, 26 years old and a daughter, Kaitlyn, 23 years old.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Loyola University of Chicago. I've been a Registered Nurse for 35 years. I've worked in Maternal/Child & Women's Health for the majority of my career. Currently, I work part time as a triage nurse at the Women's Center for Health.

I love to read; exercise and bike; cook; travel and spend time with family and friends.

On this trip I’m looking forward to continuing to develop our relationships with the Haitian people of Mariani; interacting with the Haitian children and getting to know the 20 students that we support, and their families; and learning more about the educational as well as healthcare needs of the children.

I pray that God guides our group to be open to all possibilities as we partner with Centre D’Etudes Lumiere De Mariani.

Viktor Rusenas

I am a 24 year old Elementary Special Education teacher. I have done numerous mission trips to Lithuania, volunteering at after school programs for the less fortunate. This will be my first time in Haiti, and can’t be more excited. I heard about this trip from his co-worker and friend from high school, Cayla Borgetti, who will also be joining on the trip.

Hannah Johnson

Hi! I'm Hannah Johnson.

I currently live in the Rockford Area.

I majored in Photography & Glass Blowing, at Illinois State University, and I minored in Art History. I graduated in the Spring of 2016.

I currently work full time at Camera Craft, the ONLY local camera store in the area. I have also worked through the Rockford Park District for two summers with kids with disabilities & I absolutely loved that!

The last time I went on a mission's trip was when I was a senior in high school in 2012.

I went to the Dominican Republic for a week & it was life changing!

I'm over the moon ecstatic about going to Haiti for the first time this year!
I cannot wait to photograph all of the special moments that I will get to witness firsthand. I will also being working on putting a short video together while we are in Haiti, to recap the week :D 

Be ready to be photographed! 

Stacey Siambekos

My name is Stacey Siambekos and I am an elementary school teacher from Naperville, IL. I have been a member of OSLC for 25+ years along with my husband, Chris, and 4 young adult children. Over the years I have participated in a variety of youth and adult outreach programs, including as an adult participant/chaperone for several youth trips to Haiti. It was a privilege to work along side so many amazing Haitians to rebuild the church and school in Mariani. I am excited and humbled to be a part of the new team and look forward to partnering with the Mariani teachers and community leaders. I pray that God will use our team for His purpose.

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