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SOUTH FLORIDA HAITI PROJECT
Fall 2015 Newsletter
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| Exterior of Bon Samaritain Church |
Bon Samaritain Church Dedicated
The Bon Samaritain (Good Samaritan) Church was dedicated on July 12, 2015. Fr. Sam Owen, Fr. Andrew Sherman and Mr. David Gury represented the South Florida Haiti Project Board at the historic dedication. This was the first new church built in the diocese since the earthquake and the largest Episcopal church in Haiti. This church is a dream come true for the parish thanks to the loving donors to South Florida Haiti Project.
Bon Samaritain is a stunning church, but there is still more work to be done--and you can help. Additional funding is needed to complete the flooring, construct more pews (currently there is a Sunday quarter-mile assembly line from the school to the church to provide seating for Sunday worshippers) and equip the church with a solar power system. Please consider helping South Florida Haiti Project put the finishing touches on this outstanding church.
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| Interior of Bon Samaritain Church |
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| Maria Provost, Fr. Andrew Sherman, Mr. David Gury, and Pere Phanord with parishioners of Bon Samaritain Church on dedication day. |
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| Team members working on the new roof. |
New Roof Constructed
In May, a team from Church of the Advent, Palm City joined a local team in Bondeau to complete the roof on the upper school building. This roof is a major step toward completion of the school!
You can help us complete this building! Additional funding is needed to complete the building, but upper school classes started using the building this September.
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| A group shot of the Palm City and Bondeau teams. |
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| The 10th and 11th graders at Bon Samaritain School. |
Bon Samaritain School Expanded
Bon Samaritain School was expanded to include grades 10 and 11. The school now educates over 350 students because caring donors like you support them. South Florida Haiti Project funds the education program, which is at the heart of our partnership.
Seven thousand dollars supports the salary of a teacher for a classroom. We are looking for sponsors for the teachers in our new 10th and 11th grade classrooms. Help these hard-working teachers provide life-giving education to poor children while making a respectable living. Your gift will make a difference!
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| A young boy enjoys learning to play the new drum set. |
SFHP Provides Instruments and Music Teacher Salary
In 2015 South Florida Haiti Project purchased $20,000 worth of instruments and provided for the salary of a music teacher with help from a United Thank Offering (UTO) grant from the Episcopal Church. We are looking for funding to continue to support and expand this significant program.
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| Students play their new instruments in the new Bon Samaritain Church. |
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Well-Drilling Project Launched
This year St. Gregory's, Boca Raton received a significant bequest to expand our endowed support for our partnership with Bondeau community. This bequest, in partnership with a special leadership gift from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Miami, is enabling a well-drilling project, which we hope will bring reliable drinking water to the community.
The initial survey work has been completed, drilling equipment has arrived in Bondeau, and the drilling will commence before the end of 2015.
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| When the well is finished, families will not have to carry water long distances to their homes, as this child is doing here. Help us finish this project as soon as possible! |
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| The well-drilling equipment arrives in Bondeau. |
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Over 50,000 Meals Packed for Bondeau School Children at Food Packing Event
In September, St. Paul's, Delray, St. Mark's, Palm Beach Gardens and Church of the Advent hosted a food packing event for Bondeau and other schools in the diocese of Haiti. More than 400 volunteers packed over 50,000 meals for the school children. These nutritious, energy-packed meals will provide vital nutrition for the school children, allowing them to focus on their studies and grow up healthy and strong.
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| South Florida Haiti Board members at the event with Pere Phanord. |
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| The food packing event drew more than 400 volunteers. |
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| Children at Kay Timoun enjoy a meal illuminated by solar-powered lights. |
Solar Power Installed
In June 2015, a new solar power system was installed in the guesthouse and Kay Timoun, the children's home, overseen by Deacon Anita Thorstad. Funding from Bethesda by the Sea, Palm Beach and St. Gregory's, Boca Raton enabled this project. Help us keep the lights on! We are looking for funding to expand the solar system to the school buildings and new church.
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| With training, teachers will be better equipped to teach the next generation of students. |
Partnership Formed to Provide Teacher Training
A partnership between South Florida Haiti Project and Toussaint L'ouverture High School, Delray Beach has been formed to provide teacher training for the teachers of Bon Samaritain School. Our first training event is planned for February 2016.
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About South Florida Haiti Project
South Florida Haiti Project is a partnership with the Bon Samaritain congregation in Bondeau, Haiti and with congregations, groups and individuals throughout the United States collaborating to bring education, health care and community development to the people of Bondeau, Haiti.
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