Nicole Goin with Dr. Marshall (Sonny) White, Jr., president of Midlands Technical College. On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Nicole Goin, a student at Midlands Technical College, received the phone call from her brother in Haiti that her family home in Port– au–Prince collapsed that day from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Nicole’s two brothers, two sisters, two nephews, and a niece were killed in the collapse. The entire family was in the southern part of the country prior to the earthquake and had only recently returned to Port–au–Prince. Her brother, who remained outside the city, survived the earthquake. Her mother was in America visiting Nicole and planning to apply for residency. Their plan was to bring their entire family to the United States.

Upon learning of the tragedy in Nicole’s family, Professor Mary Rawls, director of the human services program at Midlands Tech, arranged for money to be provided for Nicole and her mother to travel to Haiti in February 2010. Two of her family members were still in the hospital with injuries from the earthquake, and Nicole and her mother were able to take 12 suitcases of food and supplies into the country.

Nicole came to the United States when she was 14 years old under political asy- lum. She lived in New York City and graduated from South Shore High School in Brooklyn. During high school she became a permanent resident and after five years became a U.S. citizen.

A friend traveled to South Carolina and suggested she consider moving. Nicole says the climate and atmosphere of South Carolina reminds her of her native country. She moved here in 1999 and followed her dream to pursue a formal education by applying to Midlands Technical College in 2007. Nicole plans to graduate from Midlands Tech in August 2010 and begin work on her bachelor’s degree in human services or social work. Her final goal is to earn a masters degree in counseling.

At the annual honors ceremony for students of Midlands Technical College on April 15, Nicole received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award from the department of human services. “I am so humbled to receive this honor,” Nicole said, “Midlands Technical College has been so supportive of me through everything.”

Nicole says she has always considered it a blessing to live in America. She says the struggles of life in Haiti are difficult. She has never forgotten her homeland and sends shipments of supplies to her family and friends annually paid for from her own paycheck.

Nicole has a formal mission in Haiti that sponsors several children to support their educational success. She normally sends financial support for two or three children living in Haiti. Currently, she is sponsoring six children. Over the years she has had a few supporters, but this year many new supporters have joined her efforts to send supplies and financial gifts.

If you are interested in supporting Nicole Goin’s mission to support the children of Haiti, send your financial contribution to Adoration and Praise Bible Church for “The Goin Haiti Children’s Foundation” 106 Bonair St., Mauldin, SC 29662.