Miala's Journey: From Port-au-Prince to Pursuing Dreams

Hello, everyone! My name is Miala Arnold Raymond, and I want to share a bit about my journey with you.

From Port-au-Prince to New Beginnings

I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where I built my life with my wonderful husband and our three children—one beautiful girl and two energetic boys. Unfortunately, the challenging circumstances in Port-au-Prince led me to make a difficult decision: to leave my home in search of a better life for my family.

A dear friend of mine living in the North welcomed me and my children into her home. Now, we live together with seven others, and my friend is the sole breadwinner, working as a teacher. While she supports us, I focus on caring for my young children.

Discovering Extollo

It was during this time that I heard about Extollo, a training program, from a friend who had already benefitted from their courses. Knowing my passion for the construction field, he encouraged me to enroll in their electrical training program.

A Transformative Experience

Training at Extollo has been nothing short of enriching. Over the course of just two weeks, I gained invaluable knowledge and skills that I didn’t have before. More than that, this experience helped me develop strong character traits in myself and impart important lessons to my children.

Electrical Level 1 - From Instructor Dan: "She is incredibly detail-oriented and stays deeply engaged in every lesson, always seeking clarity to master her craft. We are proud to have her in our electrical program—she is a shining example of why we need more women entering the trades in Haiti."

Welding Level 1 - In addition to a certificate of completion, Miala earned the award for High Initiative!

Although I haven't secured a job yet, I am actively searching for opportunities. I am determined to learn and grow because I know my children's future depends on my success. Construction may be seen as a male-dominated field, but I firmly believe that I can thrive in it.

Looking Ahead

I take pride in where I trained and the skills I have acquired. I am ready to put everything I learned into practice and seek out job opportunities that allow me to do just that. For me, Extollo is the perfect place to push beyond my limits and chase my dreams.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions, no matter the obstacles!