Back-to-school. The earthquake in southern Haiti has had ramifications beyond the region of physical damage. The school year has been disrupted even before its scheduled opening–Sept 6th. But St. Matthew’s, ever committed to the essential task of education of Haiti’s children, will delay but a day.
Rev. Wallin Decamp was installed as priest at St. Basile le Grand, Gonaives and thus at St. Matthieu, Bayonnais, on Sunday August 22nd. Welcome!
Re-check the preceding blog “Farewell” for expanded video
The Rev. Joseph Tancrel Diegue performed his final duties at St. Matthew’s this morning: the blessing and dedication of the multi-use, cafeteria/library, building.
It is with an immense sense of gratitude and affection that we bid farewell to this exemplary pastor and leader. May his retirement be tranquil and safe. Que Dieu le bénisse!
Back to school is September 6th. The active minds of children are opening before us just as the new library awaits books.
Click here to see the book cases. Click here to get to work
While in Massachusetts water falls in excess this season, in Haiti water is scarce and potable water is yet scarcer. Long hoped for the pit and pump for potable water was installed at St Matthew’s recently thanks to Food for the Poor
Despite appalling news from Haiti: assassination of President Moïse, dysfunctional politics, and a surge in Covid-19 that has carried off the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Rector and Vice-Rector of the Episcopal University, the sinews of civil society in Haiti show an admirable resilience. Here, in our new multipurpose space, report cards are distributed to parents and trophies to grades 3 and 5 for an interclass competition during the year now completed.
School ‘directeur’, Clibert Massillon has even gone as far as to hold summer teaching sessions to forestall the “summer slide” and as something of a substitute for our erstwhile summer camps.
The structure, there in the right hand upper corner ↘︎
The interior –coming along nicely click here to see!
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Next: books, more books ….. you’ ll want to contribute !
News from Haiti is often grim. Deterioration in security –kidnapping for ransom of ordinary citizens– has dominated recently.
First, check here for an outline of the state of education, the stage.
Then, applaud our actors, the children and teachers of St Matthew’s, on stage, who have steadfastly stayed in school and have just completed the third ‘controle’ according to the habitual calendar, outpacing the revised calendar.
Applaud too the directors Pr Dieque, priest, and Clibert Massillon, directeur, builders of a fine institution
And thank too the producers, generous and loyal donors, and join them for a sustained run
Grace and St James' mission to Haiti 