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D.C. yoga instructor builds strength, community in Haiti

By Rachel Nania

WASHINGTON — Practicing yoga can improve one’s physical state and mental well-being, but can it ignite change within a community?

D.C.-based yoga instructor Faith Hunter says the confidence and self-esteem one gains from yoga helps build a sense of leadership and service — especially in developing countries.

Hunter, who has been teaching yoga for 12 years, traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, last year to practice yoga with young Haitian women and adolescent girls with the help of Lizandra Vidal of Ayiti Yoga Outreach.

“For us, it’s really important to help these young women feel empowered,” says Hunter, who owns Embrace Yoga in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Northwest D.C.

Since the 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti four years ago, gender-based violence has increased in the country, especially against girls and young women in poor, rural communities.

Hunter says one in three Haitian adolescent girls has been a victim of gender-based violence, and one in four Haitian adolescent girls think such violence is justified.

The U.S. Department of State refers to sexual violence in Haiti as a “chronic problem” that is intensified by poor security and lack of awareness. Poverty also plays a role, and half of Haitian adolescent girls live in extreme poverty.

Hunter says yoga can help Haitian women escape this cycle, starting with the physical strength the practice builds. The confidence, self-esteem and breath work that follows are all aspects women can take off the mat and use in their daily lives.

“We all have challenges, struggles, problems, and that stuff is not going to go away. But it’s how we deal with it, how we handle it. [Haitian women and girls] are using the tools that they’ve gained on the yoga mat to make a shift and change in their lives,” Hunter says. “That’s really what’s happening to these women through the physical practice.”

To expand yoga’s positive reach in Haiti, Hunter and Vidal launched Spiritually Fly ChangeMaker, an organization that trains women in yoga, leadership and activism.

This July, they’re planning to bring three women from Port-au-Prince to D.C. to participate in a 21-day, 200-hour yoga teacher training course, which will include a community-building and advocacy component. U.S. yoga students are also encouraged to sign up for the teacher training program.

To finance the trip for the Haitian women, Hunter launched a crowdfunding campaign on YouCaring.com. The money raised will go toward the travel and lodging costs of the Haitian visitors. When the women return to Haiti, money raised will also help finance a community service project of their choice, as well as fund currently operating programs in the country.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about service. And that’s what we hope to be able to share with all of the teacher trainees,” Hunter says.

Spiritually Fly ChangeMaker will also include a mentorship program to provide on going guidance and advice to the newly certified instructors.

Hunter says she doesn’t want to stop after this summer’s training program; she plans to take it to other communities.

“As we cultivate the relationships, help these young women and continue to build an amazing yoga community in Haiti and Port-au-Prince, our belief is that we’ll stay connected through our mentorship program, and then within a couple of years we’ll shift to another country.”

Watch how yoga impacts young women in Haitian communities:

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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