My name is Joseph Jonas Exilus.  I am the second of four children and the only son. My mother and father were married, but my father had other children by another woman.  My mother is Christian, but my father is not yet a believer. 

I accepted Jesus during a spiritual activity of the church and was baptized.  Now I am active in God’s work.  I work with the youth, help with worship music, and serve from time to time as a lay preacher.  I try to demonstrate my Christian values by the way I live my life in my family and my community.

The scholastic aid I received from the Josephine & Winfred Brendle Scholarship Fund came at a good time for me because it permitted me to finish with my university studies.  It changed my life because today I am an accountant.

In 2011 I completed my classic studies at Lycee Fito Gracia de Grand-Goâveand passed the baccalaureate exam administered by the Department of Education of Haiti.  I reflected on what I could do so that I could continue my education at the university.  I knew my parents didn’t had the means to help me, because they only make about 20,000 gourdes (about $350 US dollars) a year.  They do not have jobs, they just work the land.  Also, they have other children to feed, clothe and send to school.  The conditions in Haiti are very difficult.

Nevertheless, I continued to pray for God’s will to be done.  In that manner, with the little bit my parents had, and with the help of some Christian brothers and sisters, I was able to enter the university to study accounting.  Every time I had to pay my tuition and fees, it was very difficult for me, but with God’s help, I was able to complete my first year, my second year and then my third year.  In the fourth year, I ran into difficulty and was unable to pay for the last year of my studies. 

When I wasn't able to finish in the university, it hurt so much. At times when I saw other students advancing but I couldn't go, it brought tears to my eyes. I always asked God to help me find someone to help me finish my studies because my godparents hardly had anything to help me. I felt like it was a shame for me if I couldn't finish the university, because I was my mother's only son and she dreamed with pride that I would have a good occupation.

Read more: Jonas' Story with JWBSF

Principles and Values:

Scholars are selected because they embody the principles and values espoused by Josephine and Winfred Brendle:

• Strong work ethic
• Demonstration of strength of character and Christian values
• Leadership potential
• Academic performance or promise
• Willingness to give back to the community

In addition, there are a number of specific requirements to be eligible for the Josephine & Winfred Brendle Scholarship Program:

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Josephine & Winfred Brendle Scholarship Program, students must satisfy the following requirements at the time of application:

Awards:

Awards will be made on a year by year basis to students as funds are available.  The decision of the Josephine & Winfred Brendle Scholarship Committee will be final.  Notifications will normally be given to students approved for awards at least two months prior to the beginning of school.

In order to help future students and to give practical expression to the value of “giving back to the community,” students  must repay 33% of the aid they have received after graduating and securing employment.  These funds will be used to help other students.