Water Problems at the Haiti EcoVillage School

Students have enjoyed free, safe drinking water from the well that was drilled when the school was built in 2014. In the past few weeks, kids started getting sick. The water isn’t safe to drink any more. Principal Ramain began buying water in Hinche, 5 miles away. With over 500 children coming to class every day, a lot of water is needed. This means increased operating costs for the school.

We in Atlanta are collaborating with Principal Ramain and our partners at MPP to find a solution. We will be testing the water, studying the problem and searching for solutions. More updates will be provided when we have consulted with engineers in Atlanta and in Haiti and understand the options. In the meantime, the school is open, safe and bottled water is available.

“Because of You, They Come to School Ready”

"Whew! No more sore feet. Kids at the EcoVillage school get needed shoes and supplies.

April, 2026

At our last fundraising event in November, we shared a simple but urgent need for the children of the Haiti EcoVillage School. Many students at the school lacked basic supplies—shoes for the long walk and backpacks to carry their books. Our interpreter, Wesly Saintilus (who studies in the U.S.), contacted his sister in Haiti who was able to provide a detailed list of students in need.  Attendees at the fundraiser were provided with the list and responded with generous gifts that enable us to meet the need.

Here is an account of how we were able to make this happen for the children.

From the Field: A Message from Judith Saintilus

My name is Judith Saintilus, and I live near Hinche, about five miles from the Haiti EcoVillage School. When my brother Wesly spoke to me about the need for school supplies, I was grateful for the opportunity to help.

We began by visiting the school and meeting with the principal, Ramain Exil. We explained that we had come on behalf of Atlanta supporters who wanted to help students who lacked shoes, backpacks or uniforms. We learned that many of the new students were from displaced families that had to flee their homes in the south of Haiti due to gang activity. The principal welcomed us and gave us permission to visit the classrooms and observe the students.

Over the next visit, we went classroom by classroom. We looked carefully to identify the children who did not have backpacks or uniforms, those without proper shoes, and even some whose uniforms were worn. We recorded each student’s name, age, and shoe size. The need was real and wide-ranging—from young children in early grades to older students working hard to continue their education.

After completing our assessment, we sent the information to Wesly. Soon after, funds were made available through the partnership between the Wesly Wonderful Foundation and the Haiti EcoVillage School Partnership. With these funds, I traveled to Cap-Haïtien and nearby markets to purchase shoes, backpacks, and uniforms.

Once everything was ready, we coordinated with the principal to schedule distribution. Over two days, we gathered the students and distributed the items based on each child’s need. For those who could not attend, we left the remaining supplies with the school so they would not be left out.

This effort meant more than simply giving materials. For many students, having shoes makes the long walk to school possible. A backpack allows them to carry their books with dignity. A uniform helps them feel included and ready to learn.

I am thankful to have been part of this work, and I am especially grateful to the supporters who made it possible. Your generosity reached each child in a very real way.

Pictured are the Team in Haiti that was able to procure the supplies and distribute to the children.

(Left to right) Bedniflore Saintilus, Judith Saintilus, Andaline Saintilus

More Students mean More Opportunities and More Classrooms!

Every child needs a safe space to learn. To escape the violence in Port-au-Prince, students and their families are flooding into the EcoVillages. They arrive to find acceptance and hope. They find some relief from the fear. And they find many other students crowding onto benches to learn and to share their experiences.

The Haiti EcoVillage School Partnership works to provide the best education for our students. While the school was under construction, capital funds from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and our Partnership (YOU!) went to new construction.  As classrooms were added, funding shifted from capital projects to operating costs.  In 2019, the school was "nationalized" by the Ministry of Education with the hope that the government provide much of the operating costs.  With political and economy chaos following the assassination of their President in 2021, the prospect of government funding has evaporated.

Enrollment has increased dramatically.  The existing facilities are insufficient.  All of our partnership funds go to operations with nothing left for capital projects. This year we were able to send some extra money for new benches so each child has a place to sit in the very crowded classrooms.

We want every child to receive an education and be welcomed at this school.  Education is critical for the Haitian people to break the cycle of poverty that has plagued the country for generations. A new classroom will provide the quality education that all the students deserve.

Your support is crucial. Let’s work to make this new classroom a reality. Contributions from partners like you can help us expand our facilities and enhance the learning experience for our students. Every donation brings us closer to providing a space where children can learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Together, we can continue to provide a brighter future for the children at Haiti EcoVillage School.