On January 12, 2010, the world witnessed the most devastating earthquake in Haiti, which killed more than 200,000 people. Zakat Foundation of America decided to help Haiti in this crisis. I remember well when we rented five trucks filled with goods and entered Haiti when all systems were collapsed, and there was a chaotic situation. People did not have food for days. Families were devastated; the only thing you could see was despair, fear, and hopelessness. A typical one-hour drive between the Dominican Republic border and Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, turned into a six-hour drive due to the road conditions and traffic. Finally, we reached the rectory of the Catholic Church, where Zakat Foundation of America, with its partner, distributed warm lunches to 300 kids daily. Post-earthquake, we managed to distribute over 3,000 food packages to families. Lavarice continued to lead this effort for the next 10 years.
In order to keep the spirit of love of Father Jean-Juste, we decided to open a school close to the hill, where his rectory was. In the primary school named Father Jean-Juste, today hundreds of students are studying and getting the education to build the future of Haiti. My beloved friend Lavarice was the architect of that project. Along with our partner, "What If Foundation," we were lucky to have Lavarice by our side.
Indeed, Haiti lost one of its beloved sons. The grief of losing such a humanitarian leader is heartbreaking, but I hope that the school he built will raise many Lavarice for Haiti. Then we know Lavarice’s dream will become a reality, and he will live in that reality. He will be forever in my heart. Rest in peace, my brother Lavarice.