Haiti native and in-country coordinator for Many Hands for Haiti, Silentor Esthil-Henderson will share his story of survival and discuss his humanitarian work at Central College Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Graham Conference Center.
Facing an advanced infection, Esthil-Henderson was given six months to live as a boy living in La Croix, Haiti. Out of options, his mother took a leap of faith that would ultimately save his life. She placed him on the steps of a Haitian mission, where he was found by Tommy Henderson, a missionary from Davenport, Iowa. Understanding the crucial medical attention the child needed, Henderson brought him back to Iowa to find the best hospital care and later adopted him. Esthil-Henderson went on to graduate from Iowa State University.
Today, Esthil-Henderson leads the 180 for Haiti campaign through Many Hands for Haiti, a Pella-based humanitarian organization aimed at providing youth development, economic development, clean water and healthcare to Haitian communities. The 180 for Haiti initiative will provide the funds for locals to build a school and work as teachers and staff in Gonaives, Haiti. This primary education school will serve 130 children.
A model of the school to be built in Gonaives, Haiti.
Since returning to Haiti, Esthil-Henderson has also started an outreach program for children, founded a soccer program for young men, built a church and drilled a well to improve an entire community. In recognition of his contributions, and for his role in establishing the Iowa State-Haiti Collaboration, Esthil-Henderson’s alma mater recently awarded him a STATEment Maker Award.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Treva Reimer, director of cultural affairs, at 641-628-5334 or reimert@central.edu.
