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To Care, To Share, To Make a Difference
by Christel House International
Christel House helps children around the world break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of their societies.
“To Care, to Share, to Make a Difference”…this is the passion that fuels the pursuit of the Christel House mission. Such a complex undertaking is not easily achieved. It requires a comprehensive and holistic approach to child development often implementing changes to existing social conventions and educational practices. The students served by Christel House live in poverty stricken slums, barrios and townships, often sharing crude dwellings with extended family members. Many of their parents and caregivers are day laborers who have limited educations themselves. Their living environments are rife with danger, gang wars and drug activity - a harsh contrast to the safe atmosphere offered within the walls of Christel House.
Christel House learning centers are non-residential facilities that provide the children with:
• Primary and secondary education
• Nutritious meals
• Regular health care
• Life-skills training
• Character Development
The organization currently serves more than 2,200 children at centers in Mexico City, Mexico; Bangalore, India; Cape Town, South Africa; Caracas, Venezuela and Indianapolis, IN in the United States. Grades are added annually until the schools reach full capacity of over 4,000 youngsters worldwide. All of the services are provided free of charge.
To ensure that each child is able to maximize his or her potential, Christel House regularly evaluates academic progress, physical wellness and psychological health.
Young adults are mentored through job placement and workplace integration and assisted in transitioning from school to work or university. Children also learn the importance of giving back to their communities and helping to make a better world through civic responsibility.
Some of the organization’s most recent successes include:
Christel House Academy - located in Indianapolis, IN
The Indiana Department of Education recently released a report on all public schools which rated schools based on improvement and performance as measured by the ISTEP (state standardized test). The five ratings range from "exemplary" at the top to "academic probation" at the bottom. Christel House Academy received an exemplary rating. Additionally, out of 21 charter schools in the state, Christel House Academy is one of seven schools scoring an exemplary mark.
Christel House Venezuela - located in the La Vega barrio of Caracas, Venezuela
Christel House Venezuela celebrated its first graduation at the end of July. Out of 120 students enrolled in 2001 (Christel House Venezuela starts at 7th grade and the country has an 11 year grade structure) Christel House retained 110 students --a 92% retention rate--of whom 105 students passed their exams--a 95% passage rate. The remaining students are studying to retake the exams. Seventy one students (67%) received admission to local universities, and thirty (30) students have been granted apprenticeships and paid internships with an insurance company.
Christel House India - located in Bangalore, India
Twenty one student participated in a 12 day summer theater workshop conducted by Arundhati Raja, an eminent Indian theater personality. She found the Christel House students to be extremely talented and full of enthusiasm. "It is hard to believe that they come from impoverished background," she said. "They have such an optimistic and energetic approach to life....This has been a learning experience for me as well."
Christel House Mexico and South Africa
Students from Culver Academies, the esteemed private boarding school located in Northern Indiana, visited Christel House Mexico and South Africa over their spring break. These visits sparked a wonderful relationship between Christel House and Culver Academies, culminating in Culver offering Christel House four scholarships to its renowned summer camp. Students enrolled in Culver’s summer program come from privileged backgrounds and many attend prestigious private schools. Given the socio-economic background of Christel House children, the experience provided an opportunity to assess the organization’s effectiveness in preparing students academically and socially to face the challenges of the world.
The week prior to camp, the Christel House International staff in Indianapolis hosted Tasneem and Angelique, 14 year olds from Christel House South Africa and 13 year old Tannia and Estefany from Christel House Mexico. Employees opened their homes and hearts to the girls, becoming surrogate parents and giving all four students a primer of what to expect at camp.
Once at Culver, the Christel House kids learned to make beds with “square” corners, pass white glove inspections of their dorm rooms and march in formation with 1300 other campers, representing 29 countries. Each day was filled with academic and physical education classes. The girls enrolled in classes that stretched their minds and their physical capabilities. They participated in team building exercises and mastered the “ropes” course in Leadership class. Tannia’s communication skills improved while enrolled in English classes. She also learned to swim. Angelique used scientific experiments to solve fictional crimes in Forensics class and learned that Indiana basketball is similar to “net ball” in South Africa. Estefany held her own as one of only two girls in the male-dominated crew (rowing) class and honed her technology skills in computer labs. Tasneem was hooked the first time she put on a pair of water skis and learned that Algebra equations are the same, regardless of where you live. Throughout the six week camp, the Christel House staff maintained contact with the girls through regular phone calls and weekend visits, and sent frequent care packages.
Tasneem, Angelique, Tannia and Estefany grew in countless ways from their Culver experiences—and not all were easy. They struggled to overcome homesickness and learned the art of compromise and negotiation in getting along with roommates. Likewise, they learned to budget their “allowances,” and make wise spending decisions at the snack shop - skills that will undoubtedly serve them well as they become young adults.
But it was the Leadership component of the Culver curriculum where the Christel House students truly excelled—and which answered the question, could they successfully compete in this rigorous environment? The answer, a resounding “yes,” came when Tasneem and Angelique were selected to have lunch with the Culver Educational Foundation Board of Trustees – an honor usually reserved for third year campers. “Tasneem and Angelique were chosen because their counselors were impressed with the eloquent way in which both girls were able to articulate their goals and their enthusiastic plunge into all that Culver has to offer,” said Emily Ryman, Culver Admissions Counselor.
Christel House International is a registered 501 (c )3 public charity which was founded by Christel DeHaan, the co-founder of RCI. Ms. DeHaan has made arrangements to fund all general and administrative expenses in perpetuity, enabling 100% of all contributions to be used for programs and services directly benefiting the children. To learn more about Christel House and please visit www.christelhouse.org.