Doing our part to save lives…

On: By: potapiman

By now, we all know what the experts have been saying: COVID-19 will not be going away anytime soon. Faced with this dilemma, we have no choice but to adapt. As we follow the guidelines to protect ourselves from this virus, life must go on. We all need to find ways to protect ourselves when we must leave the safety of our homes. When we are home, we must find ways to keep in touch with our loved ones, friends and also find innovative ways to keep our minds busy so we can keep our sanity.

No matter how this new lifestyle has impacted us, most of our brothers and sisters in Port-a-Piment do not have the luxury of staying home on lockdown for a prolonged period of time. And for their lives to go on, they must leave their homes to find the means to survive. They cannot work from home; they cannot file for unemployment benefits or wait for a government stimulus. They must rely mostly on themselves and/or hope for assistance from a helping hand.

In order to help mitigate some of their risks, the KPP Board of Directors, together with KPP members on the ground, have taken 2 initiatives:

1- Face Masks: Six (6) local seamstresses were contracted to fabricate 1,000 face masks. On April  24th 2020, KPP members started distributing the masks to the general population. In addition, another 1000 face masks were ordered for patients and visitors use at the hospital. Materials have been purchased and provided to the workers.

   

 

2- Hand Washing Stations: Five (5)Buckets with water and soap were placed strategically throughout the town to encourage hand washing.

   

These initiatives were funded from donations made in honor of the late Dr. Roger Malebranche. 

In our last update of March 29, 2020, we had announced that, with funds also donated in honor of Dr. Roger Malebranche, KPP had purchased needed supplies for the Radiology Department of the Hospital of Port-a-Piment. A 17×34 cassette, 500 X Ray films , 4 Laser Toners and 5 Cartridges have been delivered to the Hospital Administrator and Medical Director in Port-a-Piment

           

  

Our special Thanks go to the family, colleagues and friends of Dr Roger Malebranche for their invaluable contribution.

KPP would like to take this opportunity to also thank all the first responders, medical workers, essential workers all over the world who have sacrificed so much to keep all of us safe. Every day, they walk out of their homes, they put their lives and the lives of their loved ones on the line to make sure that at the end of this nightmare, we  still have a world to live in. Also, our special thanks go to our supporters and KPP members who are part of this distinguished group.

Stay Home (when possible)! Follow the guidelines of the authorities. Keep Safe!

Y. Sidney

 

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KPP news update

On: By: potapiman

 

On behalf of the KPP Board of Directors, we hope that this note finds you in Good Spirits and even better in Good Health.  As we adjust to the new challenging environment, we want you to know that we consider it a privilege to have YOU as a supporter. We are reaching out to provide you with an update on the steps taken since the official announcement of the Coronavirus COVID-19 entry in Haiti.

 

1-The KPP Children Library in Port-a-Piment is now closed until it is safe for the kids to return.

 

2- All schools of the commune of Port-a-Piment have closed their doors. A project of  “Jardin Scolaire “undertaken at 4 different schools in the town of Port-a-Piment and the village of Potus with the support of KPP has also stopped due to the coronavirus outbreak.  

 

As of March 20th, 2020 much work had been done: Lecture sessions, field preparation, enclosures, planting of different seeds, watering…. The work was done by the students accompanied by Agronomist Gerdy Francois and Agronomy Student Laurent Parollo,  all under the schools directors’ supervision with the support of KPP. We will continue to provide the necessary support to maintain the fields.

 

3-, KPP is proud to announce that the X-ray Cassette purchased with funds donated in the honor of the late Dr. Roger Malebranche, has been delivered to the Port-a-Piment Hospital.   The remaining materials such as X-ray Films and Toners   have been entrusted to a cargo ship for delivery in Haiti.

 

4- We maintain close contact with the KPP-Haiti members while encouraging them to follow the recommendation of Haitian Health officials: https://mspp.gouv.ht/newsite/?p=6725

 

As we are learning how to survive and thrive during the COVID-19 outbreak  we are maintaining  close contact with our members in Port-a-Piment.  Despite the havoc that the Corona virus is causing all over the world, our work must continue.  We are asking our members and supporters to be cautious and to take all necessary precautions to remain in good health.  We are urging you to follow the guidelines of the US Health authorities.   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 

 

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Saurel Descombes n’est plus: Un grand portapimentais nous a laissés!

On: By: potapiman

English version:Saurel-Descombes –

Ce fut un réel  choc, hier matin, samedi 21 mars 2020, d’apprendre la nouvelle de la mort de mon très cher et vieil ami, Saurel Descombes, à Port-au-Prince.  Mille et une idées cheminaient  et fourmillaient dans ma  tête;, je ne pouvais y croire.  Il n’avait pas répondu à mon appel du mercredi, ni à mon message du Jeudi.     Messenger indiquait que son téléphone  était branché. Nous avions bavardé, mardi soir, lui, parlant de son  désir d’aller à Port-a-Piment aussitôt que la situation sécuritaire du pays s’améliore.

Très connu, Saurel fut un homme de référence dans toute la dimension. Il connaissait bien sa commune qu’il aimait beaucoup.  Il n’hésitait jamais à m’appeler pour partager ses idées. Notre amitié fut de très longue date.  Notre frustration de voir notre pays sombrer dans sa laideur nous  faisait mal, très mal. Dans son livre Port-à-Piment en Route, Saurel écrivait : » Si nous ne prenons pas les  réalités comme elles se présenteront, elles nous prendront comme nous serons, avec nos lacunes, et ce sera la catastrophe. « 

Il aimait les jeunes  et les instruisait avec beaucoup de passion. Il fonda le Centre d’Etudes St Michel  à Port-à-Piment. Un jeune ami et ancien élève du Centre d’Etudes St Michel m’avait déclaré, en juillet 2015 : “Si se pat Mèt Saurel, mwen pa tap kote m ye jodia, m ta rete analfabèt »  Il était patient, pédagogue. La fanfare de Port-a-Piment lui doit son existence. Il était compositeur de musique. Il faisait partie du groupe musical “Les Etoiles “ de Port-à-Piment qui brillait dans les années  70.  Aventurier, Saurel fut un chercheur assidu et studieux qui souvent n’hésitait pas à grimper les mornes surplombant Port-à-Piment et ses environs, en quête de nouvelles découvertes.  Il fut très connu pour sa parfaite connaissance de notre fameuse Grotte Marie Jeanne. Soucieux de sa valeur et de sa richesse, Saurel prenait soin de bien former les guides touristiques.

Saurel  n’hésitait jamais à prêter main forte  à tous ceux et celles qui visionnaient un Port-à-Piment beau et accueillant. Il détestait la médiocrité. Il nous encourageait  et fut l’un des premiers supporteurs de notre organisation. Saurel a ouvert grandement les portes de son école pour organiser le premier camp d’été de KPP. Nous nous rappelons qu’il prenait un vrai plaisir à accompagner les enfants dans leurs activités culturelles.  Accompagné de sa guitare, il animait des sessions de chants  qu’il avait lui-même composés.  Que de bons souvenirs !

Bon voyage, mon vieil ami ! Que la terre te soit légère !

Nos sympathies vont  à toutes les familles portapimentaises,et spécialement à ses enfants et amis touchés par ce deuil.

Milou

 

 

KPP 2020 Elections results

On: By: potapiman

KPP welcomes newly elected and returning Board members following its Annual General Meeting held on Sunday March 8th 2020.

On behalf of the Board and the election committee, our thanks go to everyone who participated in the election process. Please join me in welcoming our new and returning Directors:

  • Frantz J Jean , President ( Returning)
  • Carolle Paul, Vice President (Returning)
  • Yves Sidney, Treasurer ( New)
  • Jean-Marie Florestal, Secretary (New)
  • Geto Dumesle, Director ( Returning)
  • Gerald Sidney, Director (Returning)
  • Serge Bellegarde, Director (returning)
  • Claudel Moise. Director ( returning)
  • Joseph Anselme, Director (New)
  • Marilys Randolph, Director (new)
  • Claude Levy, Director (New)

Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. depends heavily on its volunteer leaders who are so giving of their time and so deeply committed to advancing our organization.  

Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help develop the municipality of Port-a-Piment, a small town in Southwest Haiti. Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. promotes Civic, Social, Health and Educational programs that benefit the community. Your donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by law. A copy of our financial statements may be obtained by writing to Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. at 18421 NW 12th Street Pembroke Pines, Florida 33029. Phone: 516-270-6144

“A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. ”

Registration # CH43314