parish: Petion-ville -> Petionville
notes: March 6, 2010 VIDEO - from - http://www.facebook.com/NYTimesHaiti http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=362915894200&ref=nf === Update, February 23, 2010- Temporary School http://www.sopudep.org/category/access/public It's just a month and a half after the earthquake and we are starting to hear about a new cause for a devastated Haiti. Development! Tourism, agriculture, "industrial parks", strengthening Haiti's government or removing it and installing a new one. This has been touted the magic "new beginning" to a country that has been under foreign control since Christopher Columbus sanctioned it fit for European agriculture production way back when. Some ideas are valid and responsible, but many are opportunistic and will move a much needed income for Haiti out of the country or into the pockets of Haiti's elite. It is a very important topic of conversation and we certainly should pay attention to what's in the works for Haiti's future, but the type of rebuilding forefront in our mind should still be about providing the basics of everyday life for these affected Haitians. (See website for full story) === Earthquake Update, February 14, 2010 http://www.sopudep.org/story/211 === Update January 30, 2010 http://www.sopudep.org/category/access/public Public SOPUDEP did have to abandon their school building about four days ago. It was being used as a shelter, but the stench of dead bodies was getting to strong. School director Réa Dol doesn't think it will ever work again as a school anyways because there was structural damage and all but three homes were destroyed in the neighborhood. It is time now for the school to relocate! Now that being said, SOPUDEP did start payments on a piece of land last year in anticipation of building a new school for 2012 (when their lease would run up on their current building). Thanks to a generous donor from San Francisco, all but $20,000 of the original $60,000 is owing on the land. Seth Donnelly from the Bay area will most likely head up this fundraising project to pay off the land that will secure the schools future. (see website for full story) ======= -> Hot Lunch Program Aside from education for the poorest children in the community, the Hot Lunch Program has turned into SOPUDEP Schools most important program as starvation is on the rise in Haiti. Now at a capacity of over 700 children, teachers and other members of the community including street kids and other schools, the Hot Lunch Program runs an average of five days a week to give many of these people their only meal of the day. Although the cost per student is a mere 14¢ to 25¢ they often have to greatly simplify and cut back on the program due to lack of funds and the current rise in food costs. This food program was originally government funded within the school from 2002 to 2004 under President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, but when he was forcibly removed from power the program ceased to exist. With the help of The Sawatzky Family Foundation and SOPUDEP supporters the program was reinstated in 2008, but has again fallen on hard times. They do receive help from the National Food Program now (PNCS), but this only covers 40% of the need. With your help, this crucial program can feed many hungry children in the community of Pétion-Ville. Teachers Salary Until today SOPUDEP School has only managed to survive with the dedication of a passionate, hardworking staff that often works for months without compensation. Their resilience is evident on many levels. Their average salary is only $500 (US) per year...They have no text books, electricity, or proper roof and windows to keep out the wind and rain... They are armed only with dilapidated chalkboards, rough desks made of planks and their ingenuity to teach their students to read, write, and do mathematics among other subjects. These university-educated professionals have done so much with very little and recognize the value of what they are doing for these children. Textbook Fund Initialy this fundraiser was started last summer for the 08/09 school year, but because of legal trouble that came in the form of an illegal eviction notice from the Mayor of Petion-Ville three years before their lease was up, things went sideways and much of the textbook funds had to go to legal expenses. So this year we are trying it again and it looks like we may have a decent amount to get going. This project would bring Math, Science, Language, and History textbooks to the older students for the very first time in SOPUDEP's seven year history. With the addition of proper textbooks from which the children can study, it will save on the long-term supply costs for the school as the books can be reused throughout the years. At this time all students regardless of grade use a workbook (except for the 08/09 school year as there was no funds for that) which contains both study material and exercises. It works well for the younger students and is cheaper but is not in depth enough for the older students. With the addition of real textbooks, the seniors will receive a more substantial education due to the more detailed explanations, diagrams, and pictures a textbook can provide. It thus closes even more of the "educational quality" gap that separates students in the upper echelons of the privatized education system and those trying to rebuild their lives and their society from the ground up. Street Kids Housing and Education Program SOPUDEP School’s mission has always been to help the poorest children in their community of Pétion-Ville and although they have had children facing all dimensions of hardships, including ex street children and Restevak’s (child slaves), they have never had students with no place to call home. On January 16th 2009 the school opened its doors to six homeless boys ranging in age from 12 to 17 to whom they were made aware of by a local activist only weeks prior. As of September 2009 the school is educating 31 street kids. School Director and Founder Rea Dol explains that they have always wanted to include the street kids of their community. Although SOPUDEP is now giving these young men and women an education in hopes to set them on a new path and meals from their hot lunch program (when they have the funds) they simply cannot afford to board them. Giving them a real home would dramatically change these children’s lives as they could concentrate on their studies and not have to worry about where they might sleep tonight. It would offer them security they have never had. The initial costs would be in the range of $6000 US for a three year contract on a two level building that could house a number of homeless boys and girls. As these children will need such things as clothes, bathroom supplies, breakfast and dinner, and the necessities of life on an ongoing basis we are deeming this to be a long-term project that would probably exist apart from the school as it has a life of its own. As it comes together I will keep you up to speed. ---------------------------------- March 6, 2010 VIDEO - from - http://www.facebook.com/NYTimesHaiti http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=362915894200&ref=nf === Update, February 23, 2010- Temporary School http://www.sopudep.org/category/access/public It's just a month and a half after the earthquake and we are starting to hear about a new cause for a devastated Haiti. Development! Tourism, agriculture, "industrial parks", strengthening Haiti's government or removing it and installing a new one. This has been touted the magic "new beginning" to a country that has been under foreign control since Christopher Columbus sanctioned it fit for European agriculture production way back when. Some ideas are valid and responsible, but many are opportunistic and will move a much needed income for Haiti out of the country or into the pockets of Haiti's elite. It is a very important topic of conversation and we certainly should pay attention to what's in the works for Haiti's future, but the type of rebuilding forefront in our mind should still be about providing the basics of everyday life for these affected Haitians. (See website for full story) === Earthquake Update, February 14, 2010 http://www.sopudep.org/story/211 === Update January 30, 2010 http://www.sopudep.org/category/access/public Public SOPUDEP did have to abandon their school building about four days ago. It was being used as a shelter, but the stench of dead bodies was getting to strong. School director Réa Dol doesn't think it will ever work again as a school anyways because there was structural damage and all but three homes were destroyed in the neighborhood. It is time now for the school to relocate! Now that being said, SOPUDEP did start payments on a piece of land last year in anticipation of building a new school for 2012 (when their lease would run up on their current building). Thanks to a generous donor from San Francisco, all but $20,000 of the original $60,000 is owing on the land. Seth Donnelly from the Bay area will most likely head up this fundraising project to pay off the land that will secure the schools future. (see website for full story) =======
region: -> Quest