Good news from our three schools
This year, despite the insecurity in Haiti, it was possible to run a summer school from 11 July to 25 August at all three schools! The children had language and maths, plus human values education with activities, sport and games. There were also activities that can be useful for earning a little extra, such as sewing, macramé, crochet, making bags and decorative objects, and cooking. See the photos on our Bon Timoun Instagram and Facebook pages. Some of the older children even had driving lessons. And finally, we were grateful that we could give all the children a daily meal.
The online training in Sathya Sai Education in Human Values is steadily continuing, and four of the most experienced teachers have become trainers. On 3 July they gave the first training entirely in Haitian Creole, so that the cooks, security staff and caretakers could take part too. It is very important that everyone at the school lives by the same values and treats one another with respect. A second training took place on 8 September, and on 11 September the new school year began.
Our partnership with the schools began just after the 2010 earthquake. A group of highly motivated young Haitians were determined to do something so that the poorest children around them could go to school too, and their wish came true when they set up schools. Thanks to good cooperation, support, training and weekly contact, the three schools have grown into important centres in their communities, where 580 children from desperately poor families receive free lessons and a meal.
How does the Bon Timoun Foundation manage to raise €150,000 a year to support these three schools? It seems an enormous amount, and it is. Because almost everything in Haiti is imported and many things are scarce, prices are much higher than in Europe. The families we help cannot afford school fees or school supplies, let alone when more than one child goes to school.
We thank everyone who makes it possible for a new generation to grow up with human values and knowledge. You give these children a chance to escape the prison of ignorance and poverty. The daily school meal is, of course, a big expense, but it is vital for the children!
Every initiative, donation and bit of positive energy from our donors counts! The children of the ‘Bloemendaalse School Vereeniging’, for example, held a sponsored run and raised €7,525 for sports equipment and PE teachers for the three schools. Fantastic!
To create a more stable base and make sure the three schools can stay open, we set up the ‘Club of 10’ in 2022 for donors who want to give a substantial amount over five years. Several donors have responded, and there is still room for others! A financial base brings stability for the 30 teachers and 11 staff members, and with that for the 580 children and their parents. Being able to pay the monthly salaries keeps the team of skilled, trained teachers and staff together. It also makes it worthwhile to make lasting improvements to the buildings and the school grounds.
Regular fundraising of course continues for books, school furniture, the human values clubs, special events and the vegetable garden projects. Private individuals, a church collection and a small foundation provided extra funds. In time, the aim is also to develop some income-generating activities for the schools, but the security situation forces us all to be patient.
Everyone’s commitment makes it possible for these children to keep their only chance of going to primary school. The ABC de la Vie school and the two EMNJ schools are recognised for their positive role in the community, and we are proud of these children, both for their school results and for their character development.
A very warm thank you to everyone who supports the Bon Timoun Foundation!