Future ministry??

Yesterday Redgi and I met with a friend of mine about a project in a REMOTE area of Haiti.  There is no road into this place and it is seriously about a 15-20 min. drive (once you go on a dirt road for about 15 min. from the hard road) up a river bed.  In rainy season there is no way to get to the community by vehicle even SUV but you can still use motos to get there.

Bottom line:  They have already had assistance from my friend and some others with building a school (eight nice sized classrooms and an office), a building intended to be used for future medical clinics, etc...  All buildings were constructed using local materials and by the local men (thus giving them jobs for a period of time and teaching them skills for future as well as teaching them how to think "outside the box" with construction since some of the designs were very different than traditional Haitian building). There is indoor plumbing, a drainage and waste water system, wiring/electrical outlets in the building (run by a BIG generator), and more. All buildings are community property and the future of them is in the hands of the locals.

The community has a committee of active members who meet regularly about how to spend funds donated, what projects and ideas best serve the entire community, to problem solve and plan for the future,and more and were an amazing group of men.  I was extremely impressed with those I met.  After the earthquake someone from the US (Haitian/American man) began this project and is no longer serving this community.  So, here you have a group of motivated men who have come together to build this beautiful school and center but there is no way to sustain it. Without donations from this private person/foundation the school will cease this fall and the building will sit empty as we see all too often in Haiti.  What they NEED is a way to become self sufficient.  Connections to sell some of the crafts they make locally (hats, chairs, etc...).  Income THEY earn so that they can continue this school and other outreach to this area.  There are no other schools around- we DID look.  I admit that they were looking for someone to come in and offer funding to sustain the school program (pay teachers/staff, potentially fund meals for the children, etc... ) which we are in no position to do, but they also explained that they desire to be able to provide that funding themselves.

This is a revolutionary project and one we were excited to visit. What they have accomplished so far is VERY impressive.  If someone were to walk alongside them for a bit, help them get "connected" to others who could help them market some local products or help them create some jobs then, based upon what I saw, I believe they would be able to move forward toward being a community that is entirely self sufficient AND an example to other communities that you do not need handouts to survive.  Haiti has many willing and able people- some just need that initial "boost".

Now for your part in all of this:  We must decide (quickly- school registration begins soon) if WE are the ones to take on this project and walk alongside these people or is it better for someone else?  The whole project fits totally in line with everything Hearts United with Haiti stands for but would be a major project and we have others we are not quite finished with.  We ask for your prayers as we move forward and decide our role (if any) in this community and with this project.  Pray also please that if we are not the ones, that God will send someone who will truly love/help this community and not undo all the work toward independence that has been done.

Thank you so much!  -Crystal

(here are a few of the photos from yesterday- it is a GREAT place and has a lot of things in place to help it be successful)

The school building is beautiful with lots of room for classes and such.  They do have Kindergarten and grades 1-3 so far but hope to get more grades as they progress and figure out funding.

The roof of the school building- designed to catch and divert the water when it rains.  

outside the medical center/large room area- all local wood for the vents on the side (and doors)... 

Our meeting (in typical fashion, I was the only woman present- haha) with the committee

Redgi in the courtyard above the school bilding (between the school and medical buildings)- behind him is a small shack with a bathroom inside- it is used for a guest quarter area.

There is a local well that does have a submersible pump to fill the 400 gallon water tank for the school bathrooms and kitchen

the community also owns this plantain field- here we are looking back at the school from another piece of their property

In the background (behind the horse) you can see the river we drove through to get here.  

The kitchen for the school- the prayer is that they will make/serve food for the children who attend.

driving through the riverbed to get to the site- hard to see, but this is ALL river (it's just not full right now)

Another shot of driving up the river bed.  It doesn't look like it, but that is what we are doing- it's just very green from little plants right now.  That mountain is where the community is located.