Helping boy won’t cost taxpayers

Published 12:01 am Sunday, January 16, 2011

I want to clarify possible misconceptions regarding the funding to bring the Haitian boy to the United States to attend school (Jan. 8 article, “Haitian teen denied visa to study at Marysville school”).

This is a very noble cause coming from the hearts of two very dedicated nurses who are knowledgeable enough to recognize the abilities of a young boy. A boy whose only dream is to become educated in a field which could help his fellow Haitians. He is working very hard in school in Haiti to learn what he can, but the resources to meet his goals are not there.

The money that will pay for his schooling, living expenses, as well as dental and medical expenses while he is here is not coming from taxpayers. Not one cent.

All of it is from co-workers, friends, relatives, one car wash and a very successful garage sale. I am one of the relatives, and we are still giving every way we can! We intend to keep raising the money.

This boy has no intentions to stay here. He has a dream! Just think of how this one boy, with our help, could help the Haitian people. It’s amazing!

It is the United States Consulate in Haiti which is denying the boy’s quest to have his dream, with excuses that he doesn’t speak English well enough, etc. He speaks as well as any other immigrant over the last 100 years spoke on coming here. What is wrong with our government, that it will allow so many to come in with no sponsors at all who do use taxpayers’ money and truly don’t speak English, and deny this young, brilliant man who could make changes in his homeland?

Doris Vanderway
Everett