To everyone who has donated to our Haiti Partnership, thank you so much. We know that these are difficult times for everyone, and your sacrificial giving will make a world of difference to the teachers and students at St Philippe et St Jacques. Not surprisingly, we are behind in our fundraising this year. If you are able, please consider a donation of any amount. Our donations pay the salaries of the hardworking teachers, who are giving the priceless gift of a free education to 363 children, who otherwise could not afford to attend school. We hope you are enjoying the videos of the classrooms, produced by the principal of St Philippe et St Jacques, Michel Elissaint. Elissaint is himself a graduate of St Philippe et St Jacques. Our donations also pay Elissaint’s salary. Please be generous!
Last week’s video
December 3rd video
First, thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously in August and September to our partner school, St Philippe et St Jacques in Gressier, Haiti. Due to your generosity, we have sent enough funds to cover teacher salaries through the end of December.
As we have experienced here, schools have been disrupted in Haiti, because of Covid 19, and also because of political unrest. The 2019-2020 school year was interrupted, then completed in August and September. Then the schools were closed for the month of October, and resumed again on November 9. They will continue classes until the end of July. The school principal, Michel Elissaint, and all the teachers are working hard to keep the students on track.
As in past years, we are hoping to raise more money for teacher salaries during Advent. Although we won’t have any cards to give you, Elissaint has made some videos of the students and teachers.
Our commitment to pay teacher salaries is even more crucial this year. Due to a change in the exchange rate between US dollars and Haitian goudes, the current salaries are worth less in Haitian currency than previous years. Our partners understand that finances are difficult for many here as well, but they hope that we can continue to pay the teacher salaries, and, if we raise more than our budget, to even raise the salaries a little.
Please be generous. You can donate here.