Click on link to check on the first steps: fitting the kids with uniforms
for your splendidly generous response to our annual back-to-school appeal – “Uniforms 2024-5”
Bonnie Vigeland (convener Haiti ministry) on station, Lorie Healy with pen & check book – thank you Lorie! TV behind: students tell of their lives and their school with thanks.
To get notification of each update:
# 1 in a series of glances back as we look forward to setting up the kids for the coming school year 2024-2025
2008: first visit, 35-40 children, 5 grades, 5 chalkboards
May 18th, fete du drapeau, is a national holiday in Haiti commemorating the the ripping of the central white section from the French Tricolor to form Haiti’s blue and red flag in 1803. Independence followed in January 1804
And an occasion for fun at St Matthieu : click to see
… … of the mind. Although nourishment of the body remains in jeopardy in Haiti, still l’école St Matthieu offers education and hope for the future. Seventh and eighth grade have been added in the past two years; thank you to The Church Periodical Club for funds to buy these classroom necessities. https://churchperiodical.com.
Though social disorder reigns in the capital, in Bayonnais they are preparing for the future. school is in session, upper grades get a first experience with computers thanks to Brighten Haiti and Bethel Computers for Education. CLICK HERE
March 3rd: in Port-au-Prince and Gonaives too, convulsed
Gonaïves : Students without schools for 2 months
After 2 months of stopping school activities in Gonaïves following anti-Government demonstrations, the return of students to school planned for Monday February 26, 2024, did not take place due to violent threats from members of the union of owners and drivers of motorcycle taxi who demand the release of their President, Wilio Datus Joachim, arrested last week for insults and defamation against judge Clovis Aldajuste.
……. HaitiLibre, March 5th
BUT St. Matthew’s is functioning as always. Thanks to the devotion of teachers, staff and kids.
The winter soupfest, Dine In, Help Out Haiti was a resounding success; for funds so raised, l’école St Matthieu says “mesi, mesi” – “thank you, thank you”. And we re-echo with “thank you, thank you” to the matchless cooks of the parish :
Laura Klock, Suzannah Fabing, Tom Baker, Mary Hocken, Patty Appelbaum, Brown Kennedy, Diana Spurgin, Alison Ash, Walter Huston, Harold Norris.
And, with equal fervor, “thank you” to the local restaurants who also supplied soups : Diemand Farms, Esselon, 30Boltwood, Stables, Johnny’s and Black Sheep.
We who packed and distributed your wares, astounded by your culinary skills, salute you:
Grace and St James' mission to Haiti 