ATHENS, Tennessee — Many people dream of going to college, but not everyone has the opportunity to. An East Tennessee couple needs the community's help to make that dream a reality for three young women from Haiti pursuing a college education.
Six months ago, an unexpected connection for Allison and Kevin Goins of Athens became an opportunity to transform three lives. That's when Allison met Fredleine, Fredeline and Youzline while on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
"This is the lottery. It's a life-changing major deal, so we just want people to get on board and help change their lives," Kevin said.
Life hasn't been easy for the three women originally from Haiti and now living in the Dominican Republic. In Haiti, their parents weren't able to provide for them. The two sisters and friend considered family have been inseparable for 17 years, spending most of their lives in an orphanage.
"It's not safe to be in Haiti; it's not safe to be in the Dominican," Allison explained. Hostile relations between the two countries make it nearly impossible for the women to work or go to college.
"What's really hard for them is there's always goodbyes. People are always coming and people are always leaving," Allison explained. She vouched there would be no goodbyes from her.
Allison and Kevin are raising money to get Fredleine, Fredeline and Youzline to the United States. The women have been accepted to Tennessee Wesleyan University, where they want to study nursing, law and business.
"I think people with their stories have the ability to have a tremendous impact all around the globe, and I have no doubt these three girls will do that," the university's president Tyler Forrest said.
Getting the women to Tennessee, however, is going to take work. Allison and Kevin are raising money to pay for their visa paperwork and all four years of college.
"100% of this money — not one nickel of this goes anywhere but to these girls," Kevin emphasized.
Every dollar, the couple said, gets Fredleine, Fredeline and Youzline closer to fulfilling a lifelong dream. "Our dreams coming true will give others hope also."
The Goins are asking for donations totaling $275,000 to pay for the visa process, schooling and all other expenses needed over the next four years. Their immediate need of $69,000 to get the women to the United States and through the first year of college has been met.
Donations are accepted here to help get Fredleine, Fredeline and Youzline to Tennessee.