AMHE-NJ Sponsored School:
ECOLE LES MOISSONNEURS DE LA SALINE
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
History/Synopsis
The project was initiated in 1993 by a group of philanthropists from the US willing to Help Haiti. The group was originally comprised 4 Americans and 1 Haitian. Considering its vital function in the future of a nation, education was chosen as an avenue to help the nation. La Saline one of the poorest, most densely populated and underserved section of the capital was selected. The school was named ’les Moissonneurs de la Saline’ (the harvesters of La Saline).
The school started with 40 kids in one classroom, some of them were barefooted. The project was welcomed in the area and soon blossomed. The census quickly exploded to 300.
Unfortunately in 2001, as funds were running out, the school was on verge of shutting down. That’s when the AMHE-NJ chapter got involved. The philanthropists approached Dr Louis Sangosse then president of the chapter for assistance. Obviously, AMHE-NJ was involved with other projects both locally and in Haiti especially with the Haitian Medical School (Faculte de Medecine). Dr Sangosse bravely presented the project to the Executive Committee and painted a grim pictures for those 300 kids that would otherwise be back to the streets without an intervention. Luckily, the committee voted positively to take over the project.
Les Moissonneurs de La Saline never stopped growing, now it counts over 500 students. Many of them have graduated from the school and moved on for further studies; some have become agronomists, engineers etc. Originally, serving one or two grade levels, the school now encompasses grade 1 to 12. Monthly pay for the teaching staff runs roughly at US $3000 fully provided by AMHE-NJ.
Several classes have collapsed during the earthquake but luckily none of our children have perished as school was already dismissed when the seism happened. Pastor Isidor the principal is reporting dire conditions aggravated by the earthquake. The building is prone to frequent flooding and every rain is a mini tragedy. Our project is to transfer it to a new location and expand the institution to include a free clinic, a gymnasion. We also plan to offer one free warm meal daily, a gifted program. The project is ambitious and a Columbia University architect of Haitian descent has presented her vision about the new school design in the first General Assembly for 2010-2011.
AMHE-NJ depends on its donors for its projects. All its members are volunteers and contributors themselves who do not receive any salary or stipend. 100% of donated funds are channeled to its program.
Herve Boucard, MD
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General Assembly