Haiti EcoVillage School

Antoine Jeune, a parent of a fifth grader, lives in EcoVillage 1.

He gives the school high marks because his child has a great learning experience, and the teachers are well trained to educate the children.

We met Natacha Loë in December 2013 as a new resident of EcoVillage 4. As a survivor of the 2010 Earthquake, she told us of the relief in knowing that she can go into her own garden to harvest a meal rather than suffer the iffy availability of food in the city, where she lived before the earthquake. She told us her children needed a school so they could all stay in the safety of the countryside. Today, she was delighted to send her 3 children off to school. Like most parents everywhere, she knew her children “had been home too long.”

Isana Michel is a local farmer. Her 3 children attend the EcoVillage School. She gardens, raises animals and takes any extra food to market. There is rarely extra because the land is not very productive. She suffers from PTSD and worries about her children. She believes political stability is necessary to improve the situation in the country. Isana says “life in Haiti is very difficult…insecurity is everywhere.” 

Juvenia Joseph is a farmer living in Matbonite. Her gardening and animal husbandry activities provide for her and her children. She does not have any extra to engage in trade, so she has no money. She brings the animals indoors at night so thieves do not steal them. 

As with so many other people in her community, she cannot shop at the market because the products are too expensive. She received uniforms and shoes for her children from donation by a member of one of the Atlanta churches.  She was happy to receive this gift because she would not have been able to send her child to school without it.  

Kelson Joseph and his 3 children live in EcoVillage 3.  The children are happy to see all their classmates and and their minds are ready to learn.  Kelson thanked the Atlanta Group,  “… you find a way to care about Haitian children in need of a good education. We feel the greatest appreciation and admiration for you, for what you mean to the school and the surrounding community. “Thank you” is only what spoken words allow us to say, but our grateful heart means way more than these simple words. We are so sorry that the current situation of our country prevents you from traveling and seeing with your own eyes the fruit of your labor. Until next time, mèsi, mèsi anpil.”