Dieula Samson is a courageous woman and mother who is deeply admired by her community. Despite her lack of formal education or ability to read, the more she speaks, the more apparent her intelligence becomes. Diuela was born and raised in a small town called Krebalye (located in the commune of Pignon). She shared, “I come from a family that didn’t know the importance of education. My parents never put me in school, but I received communion at a young age because they were true believers.” Not going to school, she says, pushed her to work early in life in order to support herself and her family.
Daily she works from dawn to dusk, or even later. To ensure that her children are provided for and receive an education, Dieula sells charcoal, cultivates corn, and pistachios. In addition to her long day working to earn income, she used to spend long hours collecting water and fuel, and preparing meals. Fortunately all of that changed in 2018 when her community received a water well from Haiti Outreach.
Her diligence and intelligence have earned her a reputation as an exemplary model for her community. She humbly shared, “The women in my neighborhood admire my courage so much that they appointed me as guardian of the well. Every day, around noon, I ensure that well is open for people to gather water and that it is kept clean for my community.” She considered her role an honor but admits, “it’s not always easy. The people who use the well know that they have to give a fee so in order to have access to water at the end of the month, but quite often they refuse to do so and are ready to jump on me to take water without paying. ”
Despite having endured many trials, this humble and modest woman remains steadfast in her faith and her commitments to her family and community. She doesn’t let the challenges of managing the well inhibit her dedication to service her community.
