GEP FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 7 P.M 1555 Mass. Ave., Cambridge (Harvard Epworth United Methodist Church) PLEASE COME AND HEAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL LAURENT DISCUSS A NEW MODEL FOR HAITIAN EDUCATION You have heard news from Haiti about the earthquake, cholera, and political unrest. Now come hear positive news about a quiet, grassroots revolution to reform the Haitian education system. At this fundraiser to support the Gep Foundation's efforts in Haiti, Daniel Laurent, Gep's Executive Director, will give a short talk on Gep's accomplishments in Haiti so far and its plans for the future. Daniel, a veteran teacher and an alumnus of Cambridge Rindge & Latin and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Jean Robert Louis, an experienced artist and youth worker, have partnered with young educators in Haiti to create a new education model that will respond to the current and future development needs of the Haitian people. Following a trip to Haiti after the January 2010, earthquake, Daniel and Jean Robert were both inspired to permanently move to Haiti to continue their work with victims of the catastrophic earthquake. They realized that Haiti's most crucial need is a better-educated populace that can rebuild the country's devastated infrastructure. To meet that need, they began to train teachers with the goal of starting free schools that will provide kids with an education focused on science, math, and performing arts. In November 2010, Gep opened its first school in Lapleine, Haiti. The following people, all current or former educators, are on Gep's Board of Directors: Larry Aaronson, Marion Gillon, Ben Griesinger, Mel King, Eddy Toussaint ("Tontongi"), Brenda Walcott, and Doreen Wilkinson. We all believe passionately in Gep's mission and Daniel's ability to execute it on the ground in Haiti. We invite you to join us next Friday to learn why we are so excited about this project. The Gep Foundation is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation. We have retained pro bono legal services to assist with filing for tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) status with the IRS, but we are not yet registered as a tax-exempt organization. Since September, 2010, we have raised more than $10,000, all of which we have directed toward teacher training and school operations in Haiti. We now seek to raise at least an additional $5,000 to continue to fund school operations. All money raised will go toward Gep's projects in Haiti. Please RSVP to the person who invited you so that we will know how many people to expect. We look forward to seeing you and sharing more information about these exciting developments!