This week brought a reminder of the powerful difference one individual can make in this world.   CA Seventh grader Rachel Harris and renowned nature photographer John Fielder gave a public presentation about their newly published book Nadia's Good Deed: A Story About Haiti in front of a packed lecture hall in CA's Upper School building.

Rachel's friends and family members, faculty and staff, and many CA families attended the presentation during which Rachel told her story about coming up with an idea for a book that could be sold to raise funds to improve the lives of Haitians.  Demonstrating the tenacity we love at CA, Rachel lobbied John Fielder to help take photographs for her project.  After much effort on Rachel's part, Fielder agreed and joined Rachel on a trip to Haiti and CA's sister school, St. Patrick's, in Haiti's rural mountains to work on the book.  It is a very collaborative work with a story by Rachel, photographs by John Fielder, and artwork drawn by the children of the Nordette school.  

Proceeds go to The Road to Hope, the non-profit foundation created by the Harris family intended to provide relief for the Haitian people. CA is currently working with The Road To Hope, which is generously funding a project to build a school for St. Patrick's. Last month, a group of our students and faculty members went to Nordette to work on this project, and we hope to return soon.  

 

It is always amazing to see a student engage and follow through on such a sophisticated project. We are so proud of Rachel and her efforts to do something for the broader good of humanity.   It was fun to see her signing her book before her presentation. And, Fielder was very gracious to give of his time as he spent the day at CA speaking to and teaching our kids.  He had a lunch with a number our people who have been to Haiti to talk about the issues and what we can do to help, and he offered his insights about the environmental dimensions to the problems in Haiti.

 

So far, 18 members of the CA community have visited Haiti. We hope to have many more in future years.  Rachel's efforts are truly inspirational and show us what one person can accomplish with a kind heart and a creative spirit.  

You can purchase Rachel's book in the CA Bookstore. There are a limited number of signed copies. You may also purchase the book at the foundation's website at http://theroadtohope.org, or at John Fielder's website at https://www.johnfielder.com.

Watch for Rachel and John Fielder as they share their inspiring story with the community. They will appear live on Monday both on Channel 9 (8:15 a.m.) and on Channel 7 (11:20 a.m.).