Support for the feeding program
In the first year of our partnership, we were able to send $5,000 to partially support the lunch program 3 days a week. This school year we provided $14,500 to cover the full cost of lunches for 360 students 4 days a week. The children are served rice and beans, often supplemented with fresh vegetables from the school garden.
Support for the teacher’s salaries
In 2008, we contributed $3,800 to upgrade the salaries of 12-13 teachers. Last year, for the first time, we were able to send $14,500 for the salaries of these dedicated teachers. That amount reflects the $140 per month per teacher for 8-9 months.
Support for the new 7th grade classes
After the students finished 6th grade at St. Elizabeth d’Hongrie, they had nowhere to continue school at a reasonable distance. A seventh grade is considered secondary school, and requires specially trained teachers, books for 10 subjects, required fees, teaching aids, and a separate director.
In 2015-2016, we were able to fund the startup and support of the new 7th grade. 83 students enrolled, more than the 60 expected. Many of the students had been out of school for several years.
We were able to send $14,000 for this program.
School supplies
Each year, when parishioners from our parish travel to Perodin, we fill suitcases with school supplies. Most needed items are backpacks, notebooks, and pencils. Many students walk long distances to attend school, and the backpacks are much appreciated.
Solar powered lanterns
Perodin is an “energy desert”. Very few students or teachers have electricity in their homes. Over the past 2 years, we have been able to supply 190 “Luci Lights” to our sister parish. The lights are inflatable lanterns with solar panels. The lights have been given to the teachers and the 7th grade students, so lessons can be done at home at night.
Repair and maintenance of the solar electrical and satellite Internet systems
These systems are essential to the progress of the school and communication with our parish. See more details in the “Other Projects” section.
Reciprocal prayers for our friends at St. Elizabeth.
A very important component of our sister parish relationship is the spiritual one.
At OLPH we pray for the people of St Elizabeth, as they do for us on a daily basis.
Fr Gilfrid is also delighted to have a mass offered for OLPH parishioners at St Elizabeth, when requested.
We have printed “Mass Cards” with the pictures of the students at St. Elizabeth. The intent is that each child is prayed for by name each day.
Transportation
Thanks to the generosity of one of our parishioners and the support of the Catholic church of Germany, we purchased a truck for our sister parish to make it easier for the transport of people and goods to and from Perodin. This has proven useful to bring injured people to the hospitals in Petite-Riviere and St-Marc, and to bring rice, beans and supplies to Perodin.
Solar Power
Electricity is essential for maintaining the communication between our parishes and providing lighting in the rectory and church. With the help of a matching grant from Catholic Relief Services, we were able to complete a project with solar panels and storage batteries. The rectory, church and one classroom building now have electrical power.
New 4-room school building
We were able to fund a new school building by completing a capital campaign at OLPH. The old building was condemned due to age, weather and the earthquake. Finished in 2015, the new classrooms house the 7th grade classes and the upper grades of the K-6 school. This project cost $28,000.
Internet connectivity and laptop computer
We cover the expense of satellite Internet service and have provided a laptop to Fr. Gilfrid. We communicate frequently by e-mail.
Emergency Generator
Using funds donated by an OLPH parishioner, a new generator was purchased in Haiti helping provide some power to the rectory and church and helping with communications between our two parishes. We are hoping to purchase and install a battery charger with the generator to supplement the energy provided by the solar system.
Electronic Keyboard
The liturgies at our sister parish have been enhanced by providing accompaniment to the choir and also giving the children of the school an opportunity for music appreciation classes.
Rainwater Collection
We were able to gather funds for 30+ rain barrels to be purchased. Those at the discretion of the pastor were distributed to the residents of Perodin. Some were kept at the school and are being used by the school.
All funds sent to the account of our sister parish are derived from fund-raisers and donations made specifically for the benefit of our sister parish. Our two main fund-raisers are the annual “adoption” breakfast and the annual “Bull Roast for Haiti”. In the past few years, Holy Family parish has joined with us in the support of St. Elizabeth, even donating a portion of their Archbishop’s Appeal rebate. Several large individual donors from both parishes have also stepped up.