This is an immigrant story. It is not about a threat. It is not about an illegal crossing or an arrest. It’s about hope. Most immigrant stories are.
Jhonas Nelus was born in Haiti 23 years ago. When he was 9, a massive earthquake hit his country and left his family homeless. Like tens of thousands in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, his relatives sought refuge in a filthy, overcrowded, tent city.
That was where I met him.
Jhonas’ sisters were in an orphanage I operate in Haiti. I had come to the tent city to meet the rest of their family, all of whom were squeezed inside four pieces of tin, with a blue tarp tied over top. Their floor was dirt. There was no sink. No running water. One mattress for everyone. When it rained, they slept atop old wooden chairs, so they wouldn’t be lying in mud.
The toilets were several hundred yards away, holes in the ground surrounded by a small mountain of plastic bags. When I asked what the bags were for, I was told, “Toilet paper.”
Over 2,000 people shared this camp.
Jhonas, at the time, was a thin, angular boy with piercing eyes and a huge smile. He was drawing when I met him. A cartoon. It was excellent. He also spoke fairly good English, which was remarkable given his young age.
“Where did you learn to speak so well?” I asked him.
“In school,” he said.
“You like school?”
“Yes. I love school.”
Promise brings hope
This is an education story. The next month, when I came down to Haiti, I visited Jhonas’ family again. This time, I brought a few comic books. To say Jhonas liked them would be like saying teenage girls like Taylor Swift. Every subsequent visit, I brought him more. I noticed his artwork improving. He also wrote me a thank-you note.
In my heart, I wanted to take Jhonas into our orphanage, but he was already older than the age we accept most children, and since we already had his siblings, it went against our policy. But I realized he would soon be of the age when Haiti’s oppressive poverty and general desperation might tempt him to quit school in search of quick opportunity, money or gangs.
So I made him a promise.
“Jhonas, if you stay in school, get good grades, and don’t get in any trouble, I will make sure you get to college.”
“College?”
“Yes.”
“In America?”
“Yes. In America.”
His eyes bulged. Never mind that his “home” had no electrical power, no lights, no fans, and the idea of him even doing homework seemed far-fetched.
The promise inspired him. It gave him hope.
And hope is the most powerful weapon of all.
Hope brings perseverance
This is a graduation story. Jhonas took me up on my offer, and year after year, gave me his report card from his Haitian school. His English became impeccable. His voice changed. His body sprouted from a kid I used to pat on the head to a teenager who towered over me.
But his love of learning never wavered. Still forced to live in those tents, he studied by candlelight, and when his mother didn’t have the pennies to buy candles, he left the encampment to find a streetlight to sit under, where he could read and do his assignments.
Can you imagine, in the crushing heat and humidity of Haiti, being in the street at night, with nothing more than a pencil, a piece of paper, and your lap as your desk? And our kids complain about homework?
Jhonas completed his schooling with excellent grades. By that time, I had established connections with several colleges in Michigan, encouraging them to give our orphanage kids a shot.
One of them was Madonna University. They read Jhonas’ application. In it, he spoke about wanting to study medicine, because when he was younger, his little brother, Jameson, was taken to the hospital because of an ugly skin issue. No one took care of him. They wanted money first. When the family had none, they were sent away.
Months later, Jameson died in the same tent where the whole family slept. Jhonas came in from playing soccer and saw his younger brother gone. He decided, he says, to become a doctor that day.
Madonna wisely accepted him. He was granted a U.S. student visa and arrived here in the summer of 2021. On the way to our home from the airport, we stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings. When Jhonas saw how much food they brought to the table, he nearly wept.
Perseverance brings gratitude
This is a surprise story. Two weeks ago, Jhonas was set to graduate with his bachelor’s degree. We always make a big deal over our kids graduating, so all of his orphanage brothers and sisters who are also here studying, and many of the people he has impressed or touched, wanted to be there as well. This meant quite a caravan of people.
We did our best, but as folks who tend to be late for most things, we arrived after the ceremony began. I wasn’t worried. I had been to college graduations before. I knew there was a good deal of pomp and circumstance, and they called out every name for a diploma. Since Jhonas’ last name began with “N” we had plenty of time.
We arrived, sliding into our seats just in time to hear one of the administrators say the student commencement speaker this year had been specially chosen for his accomplishments, his willingness to help others, and his sterling academic record, including a 3.94 GPA as a chemistry major.
His name, she said, “is Jhonas Nelus.”
And sitting in that crowd, my wife and I stared in disbelief as this beaming, confident, young man — who never told us about this honor because he wanted it to be a surprise — walked to the microphone and delivered a pitch-perfect commencement address, beginning with, “When I first came to Madonna University, I was filled with excitement, curiosity, and, if I’m being honest, a little bit of fear. …”
He congratulated his fellow students. He spoke about the future. He mentioned the challenge of leadership and his desire to go to medical school, to one day make life better for children in his home country.
He never mentioned his own story, or all the horrors he’d overcome with his tireless hope. He never congratulated himself.
So, I’m doing it here.
This is a story about dreams, belief and opportunity. In other words, an immigrant story. And one worth remembering, in light of the others we’re hearing so loudly these days.
Thank you for sharing this. Our trip to Haiti was back in 2008, it was life-changing for all of us from Southern California.
mitch reminds me of jesus when he said when youve done it unto the least of these youve done it unto me —well done mitch well done jhonas—may jesus light your way jhonas to make a difference in others lives as mitch has made in yours —-stay close to jesus he is truly the way truth n life —-may u both know him find him keep him in your heart n life n may he bless u richly—
I believe Jesus Christ is my personal savior. He is the king of humankind. He is the giver of everlasting life. But remember not all people see Him that way. That does not make anyone less important or negate their ability to do good for others on the earth – or to communicate the praiseworthiness of the ones making a difference. Mitch Albom is Jewish, not Christian. He is an excellent writer and a very fine man. His faith belief does not negatively color my opinion of him.
WOW! This is a special story! Having followed stories from Have Faith Haiti for many years, these stories continue to bring me to tears. I’m also part of the DIPG community and appreciate what Mitch and Jeanine have also done for children’s cancer research through their daughter Chika. As a retired teacher, I donate what I can to both causes. Thank you, Mitch and Janine, for all you do.
Your support is treasured, Winkie. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful, inspiring story! I wish my friends were more understanding of the reasons why people immigrate to America legally, and illegally.
Everyone deserves a second chance to live a better life.
It shouldn’t matter where you were born as we are one great earth with plenty of room for everyone to choose where they want to spend their lives.
Congratulations Jhonas ✨️ Your story brings tears to my eyes. Your strength and accomplishments are huge in life. Thank you for being you and bringing such inspiration and hope to others. God bless you and your family and the people of Haiti and Rest in peace to your beautiful little brother Jameson Amen
What a wonderful, beautiful story!
May God continue to bless Jhonas on his journey. Thank you for sharing this with us. I wish more people could be made aware of this.
An incredible uplifting story about resilience and perseverance. The joy I experienced made me consider how gifted I was in my educational journey.
Means a lot to read this, Art. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I follow you from Colorado, and didn’t see the Free Press story. Congratulations to Jhonas, and “bon bagay!” So inspiring to see a young man so focused and hardworking. But in my experience, that is so many in Haiti.
May Jhonas continue to excel and achieve his dream of returning to Haiti to improve the health of his fellow citizens.
Thank you from “afar” — and I agree with you. There are many dreams deferred by bright young students like Jhonas in Haiti. All they need is opportunity.
Congratulations to you all:
Jhonas for ‘sticking it out’, for graduating and holding onto your dream.
Mitch and all who work to make possible a success story like this!
We couldn’t do it without your support, thank you!
Such a beautiful story about Jhonas! I wish our President had a heart and morals and could see how people from other countries make our country even better.
Such a beautiful, incredible story. A huge thank you and God bless you all.
Mitch is too classy to say it so I will..the adversity & incredible hardship that Jhonas faced & overcame..with so much more promise & contribution to the world looking forward..is in EXACT OPPOSITE to the drivel & lies coming from our President & his minions.
Immigrants have..should & will long after Trump leaves office..be the backbone to our country’s strength.
I presume that with your guidance Jhonas will earn the medical degree he hopes for. Please keep us up to date on his progress. His is a truly inspiring story.
I think all of our children should know the sacrifices and hardships Jhonas faced in order to succeed. Thank you for giving him hope and congratulations to the future Dr. Nelus!
Congratulations Jhonas! What an amazing story you’ve lived so far. I believe it’s only going to get better for you because of your commitment and strong character. God bless you on your journey.
Thanks for the great story Mitch.It is truly inspiring, and I love being a small part of the light shining from the orphanage!
Thank you for sharing this story, Mitch and all the other heartwarming stories about the people of Haiti. Jhonas is such a wonderful, hardworking person, that doesn’t give up. He is such an inspiration to all of us. I am so glad he could come to the US and complete college! We wish him the best in anything he does! And, thank you to Mitch and Janine for all you do for the wonderful children in Haiti!