Vi Bella artisan Yliomene, shown above, wasn't able to continue school past the third grade — she was needed to help on her family's farm. Now, she's grateful that her job allows her to send her own daughters to school.

This blog post is written especially for our friends starting a new school year!  Parents - use this as a tool with your children to spark conversation about privilege, stewardship, and practical ways to give back.

Hey friend! 🎒

Well, another school year is in full swing! Maybe you love school, or maybe it's not exactly your favorite thing — but either way, it's here to stay!

As your school year gets off to a great start, we want to share something that might just change the way you look at your backpack, your desk, and even your Tuesday morning alarm clock.

First, Let's Celebrate

Going back to school is a gift. Seriously — it is. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 9:9, 'Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.' God cares about your learning and growing, not just in math and reading, but in wisdom, kindness, and knowing Him better.

So today, we're cheering you on! New year, new grade, new chance to shine the light God gave you.

But Here's Something You Might Not Know

Right now, while you're still figuring out your locker combo, there are kids your exact age living in Haiti who want to go to school so badly... but they can't.

Not because they don't care. Not because they're not smart enough. It's because their families simply don't have enough money to pay for it. In Haiti, school isn't free like it is here. Families often have to pay for tuition, uniforms, books, and even the exam fees just to move up a grade. When parents are working hard but still can't earn enough, school ends up being a "someday" dream instead of a Monday morning reality.

Imagine waking up every day, wanting to learn, wanting a future — and having the door closed because of something you can't control.

Part of the reason for this is that Haiti has been going through a really tough season. The country has faced a lot of instability, and that's made it hard for many businesses to stay open and for people to find steady jobs. When jobs are hard to come by, families struggle just to cover the basics — let alone extra costs like school fees.

That's a hard reality. But here's the good news: you can actually help change it.

Meet Vi Bella Serves

Vi Bella Serves is the part of Vi Bella that helps meet needs like this one head-on. When someone gives a donation, that gift can literally send a Haitian child to school — covering things like tuition, uniforms, and supplies, so a kid just like you gets the chance to learn, grow, and discover who God made them to be.

One gift. One kid. One door opened.

You could even talk to your parents about giving part of your birthday money, or doing a small fundraiser with friends, to help send a child in Haiti to school this year. That's a pretty powerful way to use your allowance, right?

But Wait, There's Another Way To Help

Here's something cool: even shopping can make a difference.

Vi Bella creates handmade jewelry, dolls, and gifts — all made by artisans (that means skilled craftspeople) in Haiti. When a family buys something from Vi Bella, that artisan gets paid a fair wage for their work.

That might not sound like a big deal at first, but think about it this way: when a mom or dad in Haiti has steady work and steady pay, they can afford things like food, a safe home, medicine when someone's sick... and yes, even school for their kids.

So every Vi Bella purchase isn't just "buying a gift." It's helping a parent provide for their child's basic needs — the same way your parents provide for you.

So What Can You Do?

• 🙏 Pray for kids in Haiti who want to go to school this year.
• 💵 Give — consider donating to Vi Bella Serves to help send a child to school. One $250 donation supports a child for a full school year, and a $34 donation provides a Haitian child with a high-quality backpack made by Vi Bella artisans in Haiti.
• 🛍️ Shop with purpose —  Celebrate your family bond with bracelets or necklaces for the whole family while strengthening families in Haiti.
• 📣 Tell someone — share what you learned with a friend, your class, or your youth group.

One Last Thing

As you walk into school this year — new backpack, new pencils, new teacher — remember this: education is a gift, not something everyone gets to take for granted. And because of that, maybe this year isn't just about your new start. Maybe it's about helping open the door for someone else too.

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these... you did for me." — Matthew 25:40

Have a great year. Go be a light. 💛

Want to learn more or get involved? Ask a parent to check out Vi Bella Serves and see how your family can help send a child in Haiti to school this year.

Family Discussion Questions

1. What's one thing you have (like school, a backpack, or new shoes) that you might start seeing as a gift instead of something you just expect to have?

2. If our family could do one thing this month to help a child in Haiti go to school — pray, give, or shop with purpose — what would we choose, and why?