My HCM Story
by Thonny Fabien, HCM/PIF Athletic Director
It is always a great opportunity for me to talk about the role Haitian Christian Mission has played in my life. Being part of HCM is a total blessing to my wife Idele and I.
It was in 2001 that I met Pastor Etienne Prophete, Donovan and Dorothy Kimball, and Sara Nott at the HCM translation school in Port-au-Prince. It was at that time that my life began changing. One month later, after I had been attending Dorothy's summer English class for two weeks, she and her husband decided to sponsor me. At that time, I spoke a little bit of English. But through the translation school, I had the opportunity to continue improving my English. I learned from Sara, one of the best English teachers, who spent three years teaching English at the school.
After completing my high school at the mission, the Kimballs kept supporting me in my computer studies at Canado-Tech, one of the best congregation schools at Port-au-Prince. In 2009, I graduated from my computer school after three years of study. In October 2009, while I was interpreting for HCM at Fonds-Parisien, I met Wendy Zehner and Alison Gaddis who are now both doing many things in my life. In January 2010, after the earthquake, I became HCM's computer technician. It was my first job. Then in April 2010, Alison Gaddis, through HCM, chose me to be the director of Play It Forward (PIF), a brand new youth sports program. I can now say, education is not easy for anyone, but it is the key to succeeding in life.
Now with the job title of HCM/PIF Athletic Director, it is an honor for me to use my expertise in the work I do for HCM. HCM invested a lot in my education, so it is such a pleasure to join in their work and go as far as possible. I believe with God's promise, and with Alison's and director Edwens's assistance, PIF will make a difference in people's lives in Haiti. Since I got the job, I have devoted myself to making a positive impact in the community. My job is to teach, coach and mentor others in order to create a new avenue for the young players and staff.
We now have 120 players in the PIF program. Our main purpose is "Evangelism through sports for peace and development". Each staff member and player receives a copy of the coaching protocol with the director's, head coach's and parent's signatures on it. Those who disobey the rules which are set in the protocol can receive up to three warnings. After that, they can no longer be in the program. At PIF, our players have to keep good grades at school, they have to behave well in society, and they must act like future leaders. We don't tolerate drugs, discrimination, sexual abuse, injustice, alcohol, sex before marriage, criminal activity, etc.
The leadership style I use to make things happen is delegating the responsibilities to others, once I know the strengths and weaknesses of each individual. My main role is to know if everything is running well. If it's not, I have to go over everything and make it work.
Now we have many people and players in Fonds-Parisien and also in Fond Cheval who are growing spiritually, mentally and educationally because of our efforts we make in the work of God.
Finally, I can't let this moment go by without giving a shout out to everyone who invests their time in the work of HCM, especially HCM's board, my staff and my wife. And then my boss Edwens and Alison for their belief in me to do the job.
