Meet Gernise Petit-Frere May 16 2012, 2 Comments
"Hi, my name is Gernise Petit-Frere. I am 24 years old. I grew up in Croix-de-Bouquets with my mom and my two sisters and brother. In my family, I am the only one that has a job. I feel proud to have a job! That way, I can help my family eat. I also love to go clothes shopping, and I love cleaning my house so it is beautiful.
At the time of the earthquake, I had actually just begun nursing school. I was in class when it hit, and the whole school collapsed with me in it. I was stuck under the concrete for the first night. Everyone around me died, and two people died on my legs. Then next day, people came in and rescued me. They took me to the yard of a Catholic church where many other earthquake victims were. Thankfully, my family found me there, and they took me to another hospital, but no one could help me for a week. Because I had to wait so long, my leg became infected, and they realized they needed to amputate it. After one week, I went home from the hospital and I was really sad. Then, I heard about Mission of Hope through a friend, and I came to get my first prosthetic leg and I was so happy!! Mission of Hope not only gave me a leg but a job too. My heart is so happy now. With the money I make, I buy food for my family. One day, I would like to go back to nursing school. Right now, I study French every Saturday so I can prepare to be a better student."
To add, Genise is one of the most loving people on the planet, someone who never complains, and who is able to laugh at herself when she messes up. Her joy is so beautiful, and the way she cares for her family is one of the sweetest things we've ever witnessed. She travels 3 hours each way to and from work so she can make money for her family to eat, and they are all so proud of her. One day a few months ago, Gernise invited us over for a meal at her house, and her mom made us THE. MOST. INCREDIBLE haitian meal! It was so delicious, and so generous of them. Gernise's sweet spirit is truly a gift to everyone in 3 Cords. <3
Comments
Jaimie on
blown away by her precious heart!!!!!!! she is beauty-FULL! would love to give her a hug right now!!
Tonia Bartley on
Wow Gernise, your story is so powerful! I am so happy for you. I wish for you the best.
I found your site through a blog called http://asmallsnippet.blogspot.com/. She had a link. I plan on passing it on to my friends and family. I tried to add myself to your mailing list but could not get it to work. Please add me if you can! Thank-you.