Thankful people: Zonta Club member helps Haitian attend medical school

While growing up near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Lorinord Dufresne always wanted to become a doctor, but he knew his chances of making that dream come true were slim.

In Haiti, he said, whether you go to college depends entirely on the economic situation of your family. There is no student-loan program in Haiti, so if your family can't pay for college out of pocket, you don't go. Students are lucky if they get to finish high school, rather than quit school early to help the family make a living.

As for medical schools, Dufresne said, there are only a few options, and they're private schools -- and expensive.

Dufresne worked most recently at the Haitian American Caucus, a grassroots organization that provides a children's school, along with adult literacy and computer classes, microfinancing for businesses, agriculture training and more. Because Dufresne had been studying English for years, he also served as an interpreter for volunteer groups that came to HAC, which is how he became acquainted with the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau.

"One member, who I am living with now, was looking for someone she could train and who would eventually go back to Haiti," Dufresne says. "It was a good and fortunate thing."

Lorinord Dufresne, right, sits with Dr. Danette Miller and her family inside their Cape Girardeau home. Also pictured arem from left, Kiefer, Blake, Ben Austin and Holly, the family dog. (Laura Simon)

That member was Dr. Danette Miller, a local primary-care physician who was participating in a Zonta medical clinic at HAC. HAC director Samuel Darguin introduced Miller and Dufresne, and the two hit it off.

It took about two years for Dufresne to complete his entrance exams, college applications and paperwork to live in the United States. In August, with help from other local donors and volunteers, he moved in with Dr. Danette and Blake Miller and started classes at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I had heard a lot about the U.S. and was a little bit nervous to leave my family and my mom and my friends and my work. I worked in a school, and I love to work with kids," Dufresne said. "I was nervous, but this was the best way to reach my goal of going to college and becoming exactly what I want."

Dufresne's path eventually will take him back to Haiti. After completing his undergraduate degree and medical school, he plans to return to his home country and work as a doctor.

"For 100 people, there are only one or two doctors. People don't have enough access to hospitals," he said.

Lorinord Dufresne tickles Kiefer as he sits on the lap of his mother, Dr. Danette Miller, lap inside their Cape Girardeau home. (Laura Simon)

It's not uncommon to go to a hospital and not be able to find a doctor, he said, and many medical workers in Haiti are unqualified.

"I would love one day to ... help people in a country where they need medical staff," Dufresne said.

For now, Dufresne, 26, is making straight As in his freshman year of classes. He also is practicing to obtain a driver's license and hopes to teach Creole and French classes as a way to earn his own money.

"Everything is all good so far. I'm getting used to it," he said of adjusting to life in the United States.

But he misses his family. "My mom is my best friend, and I'm the baby of the family," he said.

He also admits to being a "nervous and quiet person," but said he's made friends by attending university bonfires, playing soccer and going to church. He also enjoys tumbling around with the Millers' two young sons, Ben Austin and Kiefer, and the family dog, Holly. And he's done his fair share of sampling the American food and drinks.

But above all, he said, "my favorite thing is going to college."

Miller said after getting to know Dufresne at HAC, she had no doubt he would be successful in this endeavor.

"He was a hard worker, and that's necessary for success in an American college, especially if you're going to complete school in a second language," she said.

"Through the whole application process, he was thankful and humble and he didn't ask me for anything. Anything I needed, he got it together -- high-school transcripts, copies of his passport. ... He was full of questions and very motivated. I could very much tell he was eager, and he wanted the opportunity to do this."

As for Dufresne, he said, "I feel very lucky to be here, and I'm thankful for the people who helped me be here. Everyone has supported me while I reach and try for what I want to be."