Help with Food
Five years ago
January 12, 2010
Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake Devastates Haiti
We Will Never Forget
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It started with the news from the Haitian staff reporting substantial damage to a number of our projects; soon after contact with Haiti was difficult for many days. Still, Star of Hope both in the US and in Haiti immediately began their assessments, evaluations and planning for a suitable response. We worked day and night and some slept at the office for days. We just did not know; 250,000 deaths, thousands missing, injured, maimed and one million people displaced. Habitable houses, government buildings, churches, schools collapsed. A black moment for a very poor country that already knew a lot of misery before this great earthquake.Our staff all had missing friends and some lost family to the disaster, still they did more than could be asked and put others first.
The task was huge and the main question was, what do we want to "have done" one, three and five years down the road. This is a report that looks back and tells and shows you our appreciated donors what we have done in each of the 7 communities and more.
Bois Negresse,
If on mobile device see the photo sets here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/starofhope/sets/
Star of Hope works in seven villages in Haiti. These photographs are taken at the school in the village of Bois Negresse located about 65 miles from Port-au-Prince. The school is in a valley among high mountains and many of the children have to walk a good distance to get to school.
The school was founded in 1987 and Star of Hope's support began in 1992. We have also supported several development projects in the village during different periods. The school has approximately 400 students. The school gives the children and parents hope for the future and also give a good start in life for children born into the hardest poverty. The school also provides hundreds of poor parents a safe place where they can leave their children during the day.
The rebuilt school in Bois Negresse expanded step by step. Preschool building with the very popular playground is complete. Two classrooms for primary schools are ready. The water in the dry Bois Negresse is finished and the children have access to much needed drinking water. We hope to be finished with the entire school in 2015 to supplement school years.
Boyer
Star of Hope has worked in the Haitian village Boyer for over 20 years. These photographs are taken at the school in Boyer about 55 miles South of Port-au-Prince. The work has developed for each year that has passed. In recent years, the school received new water tanks, hand-washing stations, a new kitchen, a new preschool building, training for teachers and much more.
This school year, the school has 640 students up to grade ten. The community is very grateful to Star of Hope and the supporters for the continued development. Thanks to all who support the Star of Hope's work in Boyer.
Dano
Star of Hope has worked in Dano since 1989. These photographs are taken at the school in Dano. The focus has always been on education and community development. After the earthquake in 2010 the small community of Dano was in deep shock. Now, almost five years later it can be said to have recovered. A partially destroyed school building has been renovated and a ruined building has been rebuilt.
The new building includes a new pre-school unit, new dining room, new kitchen, and a new library. Also Dano has received a new playground and two water wells that help the school and community. In academic year 2014-15 Dano has averaged just fewer than 600 students from pre-school up. The community is extremely grateful to all donors.
Hesse.
The School in Hesse in Haiti was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 2010. These photographs are taken at the school in Hesse where Star of Hope rebuilt the school with the help of donors just like you. Now, almost five years later, the school has 350 students who receive education and school lunches. There are also toilets, clean drinking water and hand washing stations. Electricity is now available in Hesse as solar panels were installed.
The people of Hesse say warm thanks to all who helped to rebuild and develop the school, the development means everything for this small community.
Jeanton
Star of Hope has worked in Jeanton with education and community development since 1989. This school year, the school has 329 pupils and 22 staff. These photographs are taken at the school in Jeanton.
Over the past five years, the school has developed properly. It has, among other things, been given a new preschool building, a new primary school building, a water well and a hand washing stations. The original school building is now used for school dining room, computer room, parts of preschool and teachers' room and more.
The classrooms have new furniture and equipment. The teachers have received teacher training as well. A football field is built now.
All students with parents and staff look towards a bright future and thank everyone who supports their school.
Marigot
Star of Hope has worked in Marigot on the south coast of Haiti since 1998. These photographs are taken at the school. Since its inception, the focus of the work has been training and development. As the area most often affected by natural disasters, they have also received emergency assistance on several occasions.
This school year, the school has nearly 300 students who receive their basic skills towards a better future. The school has in recent years been renovated and among other improvements been given new kitchen, dining room, new toilets, new water systems and more.
Rigaud
Star of Hope has worked in Rigaud over 25 years with education. The work has gradually evolved and deepened. Rigaud is on the east side of Port-au-Prince.
When the earthquake struck five years ago, the damage to the main building with two floors was extensive. During the long and painstaking renovation the children were provided with a temporary building. It was a challenge for everyone involved. The building today is used for the upper grades along with computer room. The lower grades have been blessed with a brand new building. The classrooms have been furnished, equipped and more. Every day, hundreds of students learn here for a brighter future. They also get a much needed lunch and have access to clean drinking water and new toilets.
Also in Haiti
This year’s first sewing class is being held in Rigaud for about 30 people.
Meet Jutson Dezameau of Marigot a representative of the pay it forward program.
Jutson is nine years old. He is in second grade at the school in Marigot. Every day he and his younger brother who is seven years old walk to school, always together. They go through a banana plantation along the creek that will be used to irrigate bananas. Then they come to the gravel road that leads to the school. School starts at eight and ends at one in the afternoon.
His favorite subject is French which according to him, is fun. “I like to read in French, it's hard but I like to learn it” says Jutson, “and my teacher is good he really does a great job”.
In 2013 Jutson received a goat through the Star of Hope pay it forward goat program. He was thrilled to get the goat as it became pregnant and had four kids. Two were eaten by the family pig and two survived. “Dad got angry at the pig and sold it” says Jutson. “We have two kids left now. We'll give away one soon to a classmate and that's how it works, also soon the mamma goat will have more goats and we can give away more kids.
Here is a link to a United Nations report on the Star of Hope “Pay it Forward” program, it is in Creole but the visuals are interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVJNsRpoMEo
Right now we need new sponsors to help more children get into the program, also we need lunch-buddies-a low cost was to be the change and provide school lunches.
Your sponsorship donation is used to provide access to school, improved nutrition and opportunities to learn social skills and grow as a Christian.
SIGN UP NOW TO BE A LUNCH BUDDY
As a "Lunch Buddy" you will be helping to treat school lunch to children in our projects around the world - that way you will help to ensure they get the food and nutrition they need while in school. Your gift will go to purchasing food for all children in our schools. That's what "Lunch Buddy" means, that together we can secure access to food for these children into the future.
