The US - Haitian Partnershipon la Gonave Island:

The last 20 years

God at work on the island of la Gonave, Haiti.

The Partnership Program between the US and the Episcopal Church on the island of la Gonave, Haiti began in 1988 in Anse a Galets, the capital city of the island. A church and rectory were there but in great disrepair.

A school was started as soon as possible A school was started as soon as possible andand a wall was built to provide a boundary a wall was built to provide a boundary aroundaround the compound.the compound.

The mother church of the island (St. Francis of Assisi) in 1988.

St. Francis of Assisi Church and the new school building

as seen from the main street in 1992.

The wall that surrounds the compound is

beautifully decorated inside and out.

In 1992 the school buildings in the compound are going up quickly.

But, no blue paint, no second story yet.

The School’s administrative building on 1st floor and classrooms on the 2nd floor in 1994.

The school administrative building in 1995. Notice the cinder blocks that have been hand made,

waiting to expand the church.

The expansion of the church began in 1995.

The number of students enrolled in school was expanding as well!

The expansion of St. Francis of Assisi in 1999.

The church expansion was loosely modeled after St. Philip’s in Charleston, designed by the priest in charge at the time, Father Valdema, and built by Haitians using indigenous materials and craftsmanship.

St. Francis of Assisi Church in 2004

St. Francis of Assisi in 2008

Inside St. Francis of Assisi in 2004

Inside the church in 2006 during a kindergarten graduation.

St. Francis of Assisi Kindergarten Graduation 2007

Construction of churches and schools also began all over the island.

There are 10 Episcopal churches with adjoining schools scattered about the island—only one ordained priest.

Each church has a lay pastor for their church and a headmaster for the school.

The first church to be built was up in the mountains in an area called Plaine Mapou. The church-St. John the Baptist.

St. Jean the Baptiste began around 1990-one cinder block at a time.

Everything was hand made by the Haitians themselves.

They just need help acquiring the resources.

Haitians have the man power, the skills, and the time.

It takes a lot of paint to cover all those raw cinder blocks.

But look at what a little paint can do!

In 1998 the new three room school building was dedicated.

The kindergarten class was still under a thatch roof, but they were learning!

In June of 1999 the outline for the new kindergarten is drawn in the dirt

as the “Soldiers for Christ” stand in the foreground.

The beginning of the kindergarten straight from Pere Val’s brain to the ground!

The foundation is laid effectively even without fancy instruments

In 2000 the new kindergarten is progressing rapidly.

This is the kindergarten school building and school office in 2002!

.

They also started a bell tower for the church in 1999.

Here it is in 2002!

Lotore 1999

Lotore 2004

Bois Brule 1999

Bois Brule 2004

Nan Mango 2006

Nan Mango 2009

Ticotellette foundation in 1999

Ticotellette school office and school building in 2004

Ticotellette finished in 2009

The Bill Rice Health Clinic (dedicated in 2000)

The clinic is centrally located at Nouvelle Cite. Many Haitians visit the clinic regularly for check-ups and screenings.

There are community health workers based at the clinic who are trained to go out to the communities all over the island to teach healthy practices and administer the nutrition program.

There are children in each community enrolled in the nutrition plan. The babies are weighed regularly, given vitamin supplements and a specially prepared food. This has dramatically reduced malnutrition in the areas being served but more nurses and materials are needed.

The Clinic is vital to all of the programs of the partnership

One of the

dental chairs.

The front door to the clinic.

Little girl patient on IV at the clinic-2009

Carmel Valdema helped develop the nutritional supplement that is vital to the

success of the nutrition program.

The Old Clinic Pharmacy (1999)inside and out.

Solar panels on the roof of the health clinic and the batteries they charge

provide necessary lighting in the interior rooms.

The Goat Project is another project that is

helping to change the island for the better.

A parishioner is given a pregnant goat after receiving training about the care of the goat and how the program works.

The goat has more goats. The new goats provide food and milk,

and they can be sold for income. One of the baby goats is returned to the

project to keep it going.

This is the enclosure where the goats are kept. It is located near the clinic where the training

for the program takes place.

This is one of the large Nubian goats that was imported to mate with the Haitian goats. The

hybrid goats are healthier and meatier.

The goats and the Haitians are participating.

And the program is growing and successful.

Pwojet Famn-Women’s Project This project is specifically for women. It is a little like a technical school for

high school age and up. The ladies learn various cottage

industries like sewing, jewelry making, cake decorating, cooking, and marketing skills.

They also gain self esteem and learn life and family planning skills.

Sewing

Beading

This is Dr. Sandy Chai who helped start the program and maintains it in the states. She helps train the ladies in beading and sewing and is working on selling their products in the states.

Cooking

One of our partnership goals is to help the ladies market their beautiful handmade items more

broadly.

The ladies project is busy and growing.

Pwojet Famn (Women’s Project) First Graduating Class- Class of 2004

PUSH stands for the Program for University Sponsorship in Haiti.

Since 1988, we have built elementary schools at each of the 10 churches on the island.

Some of the brightest of the elementary students are now able to attend high school at St. Francis of Assisi in the capital city of Anse a Galets.

And thanks to PUSH, we are now able to send the brightest of the high school students to college on the mainland in Port au Prince.

There are no colleges on the island. One of our plans for the future is a technical college on the island.

Here are some of the students who have been a part of PUSH.

Michel Cenatus- graduated from medical school after 6 years. Now in his residency

Napolean Johnson-graduated

with medical technician degree.

Volmy Exilien- electrical engineering

The Music Education Program Music calms the soul Music is an international language Music education is good for the brain Music enhances ones life Music is one way to praise the Lord

Music is an international language.It creates unity and teamwork

Music education begins in kindergarten at St. Francis of Assisi. The various bands and choirs are

an important part of all Haitian activities.

New instruments, proper storage, and the tools to properly maintain them are needed.

This is a few of the many changes that have occurred on la Gonave

Please come with us.

You do not need any special talents only a loving smile and a heart for the Lord.

But you really can’t imagine it until you have

touched it, smelled it, tasted it, and seen it

with your own eyes and heart.

If you go, you will be glad you did!

You will never forget the Haitian friends you make.

And you will never be the same-

Thanks be to God!