Charles Jean-Marc, 15 years old in 2001 

How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I have two brothers and one sister. My father and one of my brothers died of sickness.

Who lives in your house?
My mother, and my brothers and sister.

What is your favorite subject in school?
French is my favorite. I like to study a lot.

What does school mean to you?
It's very good. They teach the work very well.

What do you do with your free time (for fun)?
Play basketball and soccer.

What is your favorite (most important) possession?
My donkey.

What is the greatest distance you have traveled from home?
I've been to Port Au Prince. I wish I could say the USA!

What do you want to be (do for a living) when you grow up?
A mechanic. I would like to drive a car but I never have.

What do you feel about your country?
Haiti is not a good country because there are many thieves.

What do you think about Americans?
The Americans are comfortable. I like Americans. I am not comfortable and I have no freedom.

What makes you happy? What do you like most about your life?
Only Jesus makes me happy.

What makes you sad? What is your biggest complaint about life?
It makes me very sad to remember that my father and my brother are dead from sickness.

What is your greatest wish/hope?
I would like to travel.

What would you change about your life if you could?
I would like to have a job and a nice house.

Is there anything else you would like to say?
In the future, I would like help so I can go to college.

Charles Jean-Marc was the only interviewee who came right out and asked if I could help him. He wants to be in the USA where the people are comfortable. He is not comfortable and feels he has no freedom.

Charles' father and brother died of sickness, leaving Charles, two brothers, a sister and his mother in their hut. He wishes he had a job so he could help out his family and maybe go to college.

Charles does well with what he has though. He likes school and appreciates the teachers' hard work. In his free time, Charles plays basketball and soccer. He keeps his eyes open for someone who can help him.