News Article

Edison State’s Dr. Mireille Lauture Invited on Humanitarian Mission by JetBlue Airways

May 12, 2014

MAY 12, 2014 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – In April, Edison State College Professor Dr. Mireille Lauture was invited to join JetBlue Airways on its “Inspiring Humanity” mission to deliver medications, personal items, clothing, laptops and books to areas that are still recovering from the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Born in Haiti, Dr. Lauture is an American citizen and has lived in the United States for over 40 years. She has traveled to Haiti many times; however, this was her first trip since the earthquake.

“I was happy to be there, but at the same time, seeing the poverty and the living conditions was heartbreaking,” Dr. Lauture said.

During the trip, the group visited a school and two orphanages where Dr. Lauture read and distributed her books to the children.

“Most of these children have never owned their own books before,” she said. “They were so excited to be given a book of their own that they would not put them down. They would smell the pages and hold them in their hands with such amazement. In the United States, we can’t really comprehend it because books and education are such easy access for us. That is my reason for doing all of this, to inspire the children of Haiti, to support education and literacy, and to encourage these children to read and stay in school.”

“I am extraordinarily grateful to JetBlue Airways and the people who have purchased my books in helping me continue my mission and for allowing me the opportunity to help them continue their missions,” she said.

Her books are available at Authorhouse.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. The proceeds from her book sales go directly to the non-profit organization she created, Mancy’s Haitian Folktale Collection, Inc., which provides access to learning and reading to underprivileged children in Haiti.

About JetBlue Airways: JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries 30 million customers a year to 85 cities in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America, with an average of 825 daily flights. JetBlue was the first U.S. airline to allow customers to use their personal electronic devices throughout all domestic flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For more information please visit JetBlue.com.

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Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, Edison State College is Southwest Florida’s largest, most accessible and ranked nationally as one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Serving more than 22,000 students per year regionally, nationally, and internationally, students are also active in a wide variety of clubs and programs that cater to their interests. Nationally, Edison State is ranked 45th among associate degree producers and 26th for its prestigious associate producing Nursing program.

Last Updated: May 26, 2020