Month: August 2015

It is easily recognized that the quality of life in Port-a-Piment would have been diminished if it were not for a few individuals who devoted their lives to the betterment of the community.

Armed with a grant from Dr Serge St Gerard of  West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, the KPP Haiti members elected to recognize the “doyens” of the community in the field of Education; these individuals who have molded generations of sons and daughters of Port-a-Piment through their hard work and perseverance.

On July 19^th 2015, Konbit Pou Potapiman (K P P) honored four such distinguished individuals.

The Award ceremony was held at the Notre Dame du Rosaire Church. It was also the closing day of the Fete des Retrouvailles organized by Agronomist Yvette Marsan of Groupe Intiative Pour un Port-a-Piment Nouveau (GIPPN)

For the occasion, the church had been brilliantly decorated by GIPPN in yellow and white. The traditional mass was celebrated with many people in attendance from different parts of the country as well as from abroad. It was at the end of the religious ceremony that time was especially allocated to present the ANNE MULLER ST GERARD Certificates of Recognition

KPP’s-Haiti General Secretary, Mrs.Pauledline Orcel thanked everyone for their presence in celebrating the achievements of the distinguished recipients. She highlighted the importance of excellent service for the community as well as leading by example to motivate and enhance the quality of education in the country. She reminded the audience that teachers are important in the fight to give our children the opportunity to have a decent life.  She congratulated the recipients for their long commitment and devotion in educating many generations. She went on to give a brief summary of KPP’s work in the educational field.  Mrs. Orcel then invited Mr. Frantz J Jean, KPP President to the podium.

It was a great occasion for him to salute and congratulate Ms. Elvire Damas, with 41 years of service in Education;  Ms Therese Auguste with 47 years; Ms. Paulette Romelus with 42 years and Mr. Nerva Pascal with 37 years, .for their long career in teaching. In his speech, Mr. Jean educated the audience about Mrs. Anne Muller St Gerard and why the awards were named after her.

Born in Anse-a-Foleur, Mrs St Gerard was a mother of four and an educator who made her career as a teacher, and school director, in Borgne, Cap-Haitien, and later in Port-au-Prince. Her son, Dr Serge St Gerard, recalls his mom as a devoted person who sacrificed herself to provide for her family and also upheld her career at a high level of commitment and love. The Anne Muller St Gerard Recognition Certificate was made possible by her son, Dr Serge St Gerard, to honor his mom’s life and to commemorate her enthusiasm for community service and devotion to teaching.

Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. believed that the best way to honor Mrs. Anne Muller St Gerard was to recognize those professionals whose sacrifices and love for teaching impacted many generations.  (-Frantz J Jean‘s speech)

Following Mr Jean, Ms Elvire Damas walked to the podium to thank Dr. St Gerard, KPP and the GIPPN for all they do for the betterment of Port-a-Piment. She spoke in the name of all the award recipients and conveyed their happiness and gratitude for this recognition. Following the mass, a small and elegant reception was held at the Centre Esther Blondin for the award recipients and their immediate families.

Once more, may we present our Congratulations to the Award recipients, and our sincere Thanks to Dr. Serge St Gerard.

Our thanks and kudos also go to Mrs Pauledline Orcel and the members of KPP Haiti for a job well done.

On Monday July 20^th and Tuesday July 21^st,  Konbit Pou Potapiman (KPP) hosted its 2015 Annual Health Fair, at the local hospital of Port-a-Piment, Haiti. As in the previous years, the Health Fair was conducted in collaboration with the Association des Medecins Haitiens (AMH), the local hospital staff and KPP volunteers.

A total of 403 individuals received free health checkups and free medicines. They were also enlightened on the importance of good sanitary and health habits.(AMH report-Port a Piment foire 2015)

This health fair was successful and had a much greater than expected turnout.  On the first day, patients from the rural sections of Port-a-Piment Guillaume, Pernele, Potus, Paricot, Dolian, Dupin etc were accommodated. On the second day, the residents of the town of Port-a-Piment came in great numbers to benefit from this Health Fair.

The process was well organized. . Admissions cards had been previously distributed around town and villages. Patients had their cards validated and got registered.  At the opening of the morning and the afternoon session, and in the waiting room, Dr Levelt Jean of the AMH held an educational session on good health habits, disease prevention and the importance of health checkups..   Every hour thereafter, a KPP member would remind patients about the importance of follow up care.

The fair accomplished what we hoped it would. We provided a great deal of medical information and had professionals available to answer questions on issues that might be of concern to the patients. We also aimed to motivate attendees to seek help at the local hospital when not feeling well.

Seven (7) Doctors. Five (5) nurses and several KPP Volunteers were at hand to offer their services.

The AMH doctors, Dr Eddy Jean Baptiste, Dr Levelt Jean, Dr Katiana Romelus, Dr Jean Richard Vital;   the local hospital doctors  Dr Missole Antoine and Dr Cadet Atsaly  teamed up with  Dr Dominique A Jean of Los Angeles, California to provide all the necessary care during the two days .

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We sincerely thank each of these dedicated doctors for the sacrifices made to come provide medical care to our brothers and sisters.

Our thanks go as well to the hospital administrator, Mr Jean Robert Isidore and his staff for the extraordinary support and dedication demonstrated during the two days.

To our sponsors especially, JGR C Copa LLC of Hollywood FL, Mrs. Marie-Therèse Boulos of PEHACHEVE, Haiti, Dr Dominique A Jean of California, Dr Jean-Claude Jacob of Florida , Mr and Mrs Lucien Jabouin of Florida, and to all those who supported the AMH on this project especially Laboratoire 4C, Famatrix and Prophalab agencies.

Renewed thanks to all the friends and supporters of KPP for their continued support in all we do.

The KPP Two-week  Summer Camp has just completed its fourth year!!  The camp ran from July 6^th to July 17^th, and this year, was set to accommodate 60 children ranging from 7 to 12 years old.

As in the previous years, the participants were selected from all the schools in Port-a-Piment and were referred by their school directors on the basis of academic excellence. The kids traveled from as far as Potus and Paricot to attend the camp daily.

The daily routine included boarding the Dignite bus at 8 AM, in front of the Notre-Dame du Rosaire church, and under the supervision of  the KPP personnel. The children were then transported to the National School of Figuiers, which was chosen again this year, due to its setting, facing the sea, with plenty of trees and adequate facilities, including large classrooms, running water, a kitchen and clean toilets.

On the first day, the participants each received an ID badge, a numbered camp drawstring bag and a water bottle. This year, each child was assigned to one of five individual monitors, all local school teachers and each coming from a different school.

Each morning, the children were greeted by the Camp Director, Mrs Pauledline Orcel, and the KPP President, Mr. Frantz Jean, for the daily “causerie” . They were reminded of principles of savoir vivre and how to become a good citizen. The children then filed up to wash their hands and hold a short prayer in preparation for breakfast.

The morning meal would consist of Chocolate milk, or, Oatmeal porridge, with Bread and Peanut Butter. Wednesday was Spaghetti and Herring breakfast day.

The monitors would then gather their assigned children for activities which included Arts and Crafts, Sewing, Word Games, Floral Art, Puzzles, Kite making, and learning songs from the Cahier de Chants de Marie-Therese.  Physical activities included games of soccer and basketball, jumping ropes, circles (rondes) , races and more.

On most days, a guest speaker visited the children for a talk on different important topics of daily living. We are grateful to the nurses of the local hospital, Mrs. Jean and Mrs. Abraham for their talks on nutrition, and on hygiene. We also appreciated the visit of Mr. Gentil, local school teacher who held two sessions on Civism, and Mr. Lubin who yearly educates the children on preserving the environment.  On the next day, a short question and answer session on the topic covered would guarantee prizes of pens, balloons, handkerchiefs and school supplies to the winners. The day before Graduation, a Raffle was held with even more coveted prizes of Teddy Bears, Flip Flops and toiletries.

Once a week, there was Outing  Day to the River Labeyi, which by the children’s accounts, remains the most enjoyable part of the camp and Helene tomba dans l’eau” the favorite song.

At lunch, the children delighted in a meal of Rice or Cornmeal with Bean Sauce, Herring, Sausages or Meatballs and a Fruit Drink.

After lunch was the time for  Änimation Culturelle””when the children would start preparing their contribution to Graduation day, and from where they left to board the Dignite bus back to town at 2PM.

On Friday, July 17th, the children, parents, staff and members of KPP assembled for a simple Graduation ceremony that included songs, skits, poems and dances performed by the children. There were speeches by Mrs. Orcel and Mr. Jean, and a Thank You song by the parents. The children received a Certificate of Attendance as well as parting gifts of school supplies.  A reception of Sandwiches and Punch followed. When it was time for the Dignite Bus to take children and parents back to town, we were showered with  Au revoirs and  Thank Yous for a great time.

The children are hoping for a repeat performance next year.

Our thanks also go to Mrs Pauledline Orcel for her leadership,

To the monitors Francoise, Rafania, Odeline, Emiel, Joacine ;

to the Support staff Beanie, Lambert, Linet, Eliovil,

to the Kitchen Staff Nicole, Inelda, StRose, Simone,

to the helpers  Jonathan, Kelot, Anel, Elimont and  Jean.

Our gratitude also goes to the Director of the National School of Figuiers, Mr. Jacques Frasil, for the hospitality;

To JGR Copa LLC for its extraordinary contribution

to Mrs. Izmery for the gift of food

to Mrs. Verret for the gift of school supplies

to Mr. Appolon, Mrs. Boulos, Mr Desormeau and Unitransfer for the monetary contribution.

Our deepest gratitude to the directors of Food for the Poor-Haiti for their valuable contribution of foods and supplies.

A special Thank You to all the KPP members who contribute yearlong to this effort, and to those who each year travel from overseas to insure a smooth operation, Thank you to the team of Carolle Paul, Frantz and  Nicole Jean.