Silentor Esthil-Henderson

History
Davenport, Iowa

Young Man on a Mission

Silentor Esthil-Henderson has experienced poverty first-hand. When he was seven years old in Haiti, unable to walk and given six months to live, Silentor was rescued out of a life with no resources and entered a new world full of opportunities. Now the twenty-something is working to give back in appreciation for all he has received.

Silentor finally had the opportunity for health and an education when Tommy Henderson, a missionary from Iowa, adopted him from Haiti. After receiving medical care, Silentor began American school in the fourth grade and will soon graduate from Iowa State with a major in history and a minor in political science.

Step One: Start Student Club

His unique story of survival and determination is not only a good anecdote for the parents and students he meets as a Cyclone Aide, but is also the reason Silentor started the Iowa State – Haiti Collaboration. The student group's purpose is to work to eliminate poverty in third world countries, with a focus on LaCroix, Haiti.

Silentor founded the group after a recent return visit to his home country. "I forgot what my people are going through," he said. "I decided to utilize the student body at Iowa State, put our minds together and put into practice what we're learning in the classroom."

Some of the group members will travel to Haiti with Silentor in December 2009, where they hope to build playground equipment, paint school buildings, dig a well, and teach English to Haitian women and children.

Step Two: Establish Non-Profit Organization

After graduation, Silentor plans to return to Haiti again with Hope on the Horizon, a non-profit organization he and his father are starting, which aims to build teamwork and cooperation among the people of Haiti. He said he will utilize his history major and political science minor within this role to improve the conditions in Haiti and the Haitian government.

"I don't care if I only make $200 a year to live there," he said. "Someone heard my cry in Haiti, out of almost three thousand children. I came a long way and I'm not going to hold anything back."

For more information about Hope on the Horizon, visit Silentor's blog at http://hothhaiti.blogspot.com