Creating Local Jobs in Southern Haiti

In mid-May 2017, Peace Winds staff made its first delivery of textbooks and blackboards to four schools in Saint Jean du Sud, a rural area more than five hours from Port-au-Prince. The delivery was received by kindergarteners, primary and secondary school students, and their teachers who have been longing for necessary school materials.

“It’s been more than seven months since the Hurricane Matthew.  Yet 80% of our students are still without textbooks.” said Mie Odette, the principal at Ecole Nationale de Marescot, where about 300 students attend.  Families cannot afford to buy their children any school supplies as they are struggling to make a living especially after the hurricane.  “Parents are very excited about this support.  They will be happy to have these books, blackboards and materials for our schools,” said Ms. Odette.  “We thank Peace Winds for helping all our children.”

Hurricane Matthew totally destroyed the Ecole National de Debouchette.  Since October, these students have to go to the classrooms at the Ecole Nationale de Boulay.  “Some students have to walk over two hours to get to school.  It is very difficult to walk especially during the heavy rain like today,“ said Boulay principal Mr. Laguerre.

“I can see many families recovering after the hurricane having difficulties economically.  Many students are coming to school very hungry,” Mr. Laguerre continued.  “Students have to study at a different school. There are so many hardships after the hurricane.  It’s also been very difficult to teach without textbooks.  But now all the students can have textbooks significantly impacting our school as a whole.”

Additional textbook deliveries were suspended due to the heavy rain and winds.  Terrible road conditions stopped all vehicles. The deliveries resumed as soon as the weather and the road access improved.

With your generous support through Global Giving, Peace Winds had delivered textbooks and needed materials to four schools by the fourth week of May.   Peace Winds will continue to deliver needed school supplies to over 2,000 students at all seven schools in Saint Jean du Sud Commune.