Vocational school students and staff
Welcome back! If you are one of our many longtime donors, you may have noticed that the name of the project you have supported so faithfully occasionally changes. We believe that has come about due to the realization that a first-class secondary school has been created requiring a more “formal” designation. The president of one of the most respected colleges in Cap Haitien has said that our students are the best prepared of any that apply … standing ovation, please, for the Institution Maranatha!
Providing Jobs and Opportunities to an Entire Community
An important “spin-off” from the original goals of the community’s effort in creating this project has been significant employment. It is encouraging to learn that 99 adults are now employed as educators, house moms, caretakers, cooks and so on — 79 are full time and 20 are part time. Secondary school teachers commuting from Cap Haitien (45 minutes) to teach specialty subjects like advanced mathematics, English, economics, French, etc. are the “part-timers”. Salaries are determined by the Grison-Garde citizens who run the project.
Thanks to you, we have never missed meeting a payroll for over 13 years! Our Haitian friends tell us that it is a near miracle, given their life experiences in general.
Just imagine: 750 children in free primary and secondary schools; 100 employees; as many as 400 meals served each day; 40 to 50 orphans housed and raised per year; dozens of wells drilled; a first-class vocational school with more than 40 enrolled in carpentry and tailoring; homes offering peace for the homeless elderly; students in college; a community education center ... on and on.
All of that, and more, from largely personal gifts given by our 400 donors (more are welcome, by the way). Don’t worry for a moment about your dollars being wasted, folks! That is our promise. We will make every penny work hard for you.
A Celebration for Mothers
Our Haitian directors came up with yet another first: a celebration day for mothers of students, simply to honor them because they are our mothers. “Yo paske yo te manman nou” (or something like that). The celebration included singing groups, prayers of welcome and thanks, refreshments and, of course, the magnificent Institute Maranatha brass band! We are told that rural Haiti had not seen a celebration like this -- only for mothers — ever.
The Secondary School Is Finished!
Please see the photo of our beautiful new secondary school building created through the work of Building Goodness Foundation using workers from the community. The school now has nine secondary classrooms, an additional computer lab and adequate office space. We are working to find funds for desks, educational supplies, etc. (offers gratefully accepted :>)
New Midwife Project
Robert Ford Foundation has created a midwife education project with the support of the Health Minister of the North and Dr. Eugene, whom you have heard mentioned several times. There remains a desperate need for improving the terrible neonatal/maternal morbidity in rural Haiti, Grison-Garde included. Through this program, women who wish to be midwives will receive education, clinical instruction and certification, as well as supplies such as sterile gloves, soap, pads, umbilical ties and more. Funding for the midwife project, like the well drilling effort, is separate from your gifts. Please consider spreading the word and contributing to this cause. Yours are the blessings that have allowed projects like these to continue on a day to day basis through the years.
Lost Schools Need Your Help
Our friends in two nearby communities are in great need of primary school buildings and long-term faculty support. Their schools have deteriorated beyond redemption. What a great way to honor or remember a loved one … build a school in their name! You may be amazed at the low cost and great reward. Contact us to learn more. We know how to do it, seeing that all funds are fully protected and IRS approved.
As always, thank you for your interest and continued support!
Providing Jobs and Opportunities to an Entire Community
An important “spin-off” from the original goals of the community’s effort in creating this project has been significant employment. It is encouraging to learn that 99 adults are now employed as educators, house moms, caretakers, cooks and so on — 79 are full time and 20 are part time. Secondary school teachers commuting from Cap Haitien (45 minutes) to teach specialty subjects like advanced mathematics, English, economics, French, etc. are the “part-timers”. Salaries are determined by the Grison-Garde citizens who run the project.
Thanks to you, we have never missed meeting a payroll for over 13 years! Our Haitian friends tell us that it is a near miracle, given their life experiences in general.
Just imagine: 750 children in free primary and secondary schools; 100 employees; as many as 400 meals served each day; 40 to 50 orphans housed and raised per year; dozens of wells drilled; a first-class vocational school with more than 40 enrolled in carpentry and tailoring; homes offering peace for the homeless elderly; students in college; a community education center ... on and on.
All of that, and more, from largely personal gifts given by our 400 donors (more are welcome, by the way). Don’t worry for a moment about your dollars being wasted, folks! That is our promise. We will make every penny work hard for you.
A Celebration for Mothers
Our Haitian directors came up with yet another first: a celebration day for mothers of students, simply to honor them because they are our mothers. “Yo paske yo te manman nou” (or something like that). The celebration included singing groups, prayers of welcome and thanks, refreshments and, of course, the magnificent Institute Maranatha brass band! We are told that rural Haiti had not seen a celebration like this -- only for mothers — ever.
The Secondary School Is Finished!
Please see the photo of our beautiful new secondary school building created through the work of Building Goodness Foundation using workers from the community. The school now has nine secondary classrooms, an additional computer lab and adequate office space. We are working to find funds for desks, educational supplies, etc. (offers gratefully accepted :>)
New Midwife Project
Robert Ford Foundation has created a midwife education project with the support of the Health Minister of the North and Dr. Eugene, whom you have heard mentioned several times. There remains a desperate need for improving the terrible neonatal/maternal morbidity in rural Haiti, Grison-Garde included. Through this program, women who wish to be midwives will receive education, clinical instruction and certification, as well as supplies such as sterile gloves, soap, pads, umbilical ties and more. Funding for the midwife project, like the well drilling effort, is separate from your gifts. Please consider spreading the word and contributing to this cause. Yours are the blessings that have allowed projects like these to continue on a day to day basis through the years.
Lost Schools Need Your Help
Our friends in two nearby communities are in great need of primary school buildings and long-term faculty support. Their schools have deteriorated beyond redemption. What a great way to honor or remember a loved one … build a school in their name! You may be amazed at the low cost and great reward. Contact us to learn more. We know how to do it, seeing that all funds are fully protected and IRS approved.
As always, thank you for your interest and continued support!
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