In October 2010 the sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny, to satisfy the needs of the population, had founded at Hinche a primary school. The beginning was very modest, with only three classrooms, hopping to add other classes each year.
On January 12, 2010, our schools, located in the regions were shaken by an earthquake but continued to function under tents with a lot of difficulties.
Building materials are very expensive and we could not consider the reconstruction of our collapsed schools, the house of formation, the chapel of Ste Rose de Lima, the orphanage of “La Madeleine” without the generosity of numerous donors. In advance, we express our deep and sincere thanks to those willing to help.
Hurricane Thomas has spread panic in Haiti and caused many material damages in certain areas of the country, but, fortunately, there has been very few deaths. The passage of Thomas has transformed in a lake, the playground and classes on the ground floor at the normal, secondary, professional and primary schools in Gonaïves which were just coming up from the disasters caused by Jeanne and Anna. It took us a week to clean, in order to receive teachers and students in decent places while awaiting more important repairs to follow.
The cholera epidemy has made victims all over the territory. More than 2400 deaths and as many as 40.000 sick persons in the hospitals and health care centers. They are talking about 90.000 thousands hit by that epidemic disease though hygienic practices were taught in schools and other institutions to limit damages. That disaster never known before in our country kept the population in anxiety and had bad consequences on school works and citizens’ behavior.
Doctors, nurses and nurse assistants are remarkably devoted at the bedside of the sick ones, multiplying their efforts to put an end to that disaster. Doctors without borders who ran spontaneously to our rescue deserve our esteem and our gratefulness. We form a big family, which gives courage and hope. This is a marvelous human solidarity.
The result of the elections provoked political unrest and our schools had to close for 2 days. We wish that peace come back to this country already hard-hit by so many disasters, and that the students find the calm necessary to normally finish this term.
Thanks be to our donors!
The schools are functioning since the beginning of the first quarter of the school year 2010 -2011.
Our sisters from Ireland contributed a lot; especially with the teacher’s salary and food for our pupils. Some generous donors offered full or ½ scholarship to many qualified students. Former students of Sainte Rose de Lima financed the construction of 8 classrooms, and 4 other classrooms are waiting to be finished.
The center of “Rosalie Javouhey” containing a primary school and an alphabetization center works from 8 to 4 and also shelters “Mère Louise” school. The two AM schools work under tents. Unicef is building 7 sheds for the 2 schools. They promise to give more including the orphanage “la Madeleine”. Digicel promised 6 rooms for “Mère Louise” school, we are patiently waiting for them. As of now, the children have classes under a tree. 3 big shelters receive 2 classes of 80 to 100 pupils each. With a gift from Trocaire, we bought school furniture but many children are still under tents today.
All the schools but those in Port-au-Prince had their exams . The sisters in Guadeloupe and friends helped the children feel the joy of Christmas by offering them gifts and toys. The works at the provincial house continue even though we’re still eating under tents after almost a year.
Thanks to teachers, students, their parents, and anonymous donors who support us. Thanks to the team of the main house of our congregation for follow ups and transfers of all the gifts we received. Thanks to our old donors, our new donors and our future donors. May they find here our lively gratitude and the assurance of our brotherly prayers. The children thank and pray for all those who remember and support them.
From sister J.B, Principal of Bolosse:
Because of troubles following the elections, we lost 12 days of class and the first quarter exams will be held in January. Since I came back, I’m happy to see the reconstruction works putting up the fence of the school. Thanks to the Irish organization “Trocaire” and the Irish sisters too whose support has allowed me to pay the month of September to our teachers.
I thank God who is so good to us through our friends who continue to visit us in order to encourage in our behalf the movement of solidarity. I rejoice in seeing our children playing trumpets, saxophones, flutes and drums. Our music school, to fulfill the dream and the interest of the children in music asked “Food for the poor” to finance a fanfare. It was granted. Parents and teachers are very happy and grateful to them.
