How Can You Help Haiti's Children

EARTHQUAKE STRIKES
ISLAND OF HAITI

It is with much sadness that we have learned that the impoverished island of Haiti has been struck by a severe earthquake. We are trying to contact the priests and others associated with the Haiti Education Foundation for information on the condition of our children, teachers and their families.  Please pray for safety and peace.  We will keep you informed to the very best of our ability.  A disaster fund has been established to help those most in need and can be contributed to through online giving or by mail.  As always, 100% of all donations will go to the need designated by the donor. 

click here to download form

If you would rather mail in your donation, or if you would like to make your donation in memory of or in honor of someone special, click on the image above to download the form (pdf), fill it out and mail it in with your donation check or money order.

Thank you in advance for your support!

A FULL YEAR OF SCHOOL FOR $55

Frances Landers, the founder of the Haiti Education Foundation, and Father Jean-Wilfrid Albert, designed a budget in which $55 provides a full year of school for one child.

Our primary focus is obtaining a $55 annual scholarship for each of the 10,000 students attending Haiti Education Foundation supported schools.

How can such a small amount of money do so much?

• The average yearly income in Haiti is less than $300, so supplies are cheap and salaries are low.
• 100% of all donations are used as designated by the donor; there are no administrative expenses (•note).

You can help by sponsoring a child for $55 (less than 16¢ a day). Renew your sponsorship each year before the October school term opens. Once a child receives a scholarship to attend an HEF school, they are guaranteed a scholarship until their education is complete.

Poorest of the Poor

Other Ways to Help

•note: When paying online via Paypal a charge will be added to cover the credit card processing fee so that the entire donation will go to the intended purpose. This charge will be displayed as "shipping".

Construction Projects

The main focus of the Haiti Education Foundation is to provide scholarships for children to attend school. There are two types of school structures in the areas that we serve; those that are temporary – usually a pavilion-type structure with woven banana bark sides or permanent structures built from concrete blocks.

It is our hope that all of our schools will one day be permanent structures. Just as building supply costs have gone up here in the US, they have also increased in Haiti. The labor costs are very low – most labor is done by the villagers where the school is being built. The average cost to build a 10 room school at this time ranges between $45,000 and $60,000. The variance of the expense depends on the location of the school and the terrain of the foundation. If the location is remote and trucks cannot deliver supplies, then they must be carried in by individuals.

Schools are constructed of concrete blocks and can range from 8 to 12 rooms. The larger buildings have 2 stories. The concrete blocks are most often formed onsite. A water cistern is built first to collect water for mixing concrete. Because these remote areas of Haiti lack water lines, water is collected primarily during the rainy season.

Construction at some sites may seem slow by U.S. standards because without water, work cannot proceed. After all the concrete blocks are made, they are set. Buildings have concrete floors and roofs with open-air windows to provide circulation. A school site ideally includes a school building, kitchen and storage commissary.

Some sites also include a church building. Those not having a church building meet inside the classrooms or somewhere on the grounds.

The school buildings represent much to the Haitian people. They are very proud to be able to have a place for their children to learn and to worship. The school also serves as a safe haven during storms. To the people of Haiti, the schools remind them of God’s love for them!

Terminal II School

The Haiti Education Foundation is pleased to announce that students will now be able to fully complete high school graduation requirements at St. Matthias School in Cherident. In the past, students wishing to enter the university program were required to go to a one-year “finishing school”, formally known in Haiti as Terminal II.

Because students were required to attend these classes in Port-au-Prince, they faced increased expenses and extremely difficult living conditions. Students from both St. Matthias and Ascension Parishes are able to take advantage of these classes. Eight new Haitian teachers have been hired to instruct the students. This offering will bless many students!