Konbit Pou Potapiman

The award ceremony for the KPP annual “Prix d’Excellence” took place on Sunday June 30^th, at the church of Notre Dame du Rosaire in Port-a-Piment. It was a grandiose and double celebration as the last Sunday of June also marks Fathers’ Day in Haiti.

At the conclusion of the 7AM mass, Father Pierre Serdier Beliazar, the parish vicar, recognized the work of Konbit Pou Potapiman in the domain of Education and the value of rewarding hard work.

Mrs. Paule-Edline Orcel, Secretary of KPP Haiti, recounted the hardships of the last school year and the excellent work performed by the recipients, in spite of multiple disruptions in the academic calendar. The awards are offered to the laureates of the graduating classes of 9eme Année Fondamentale, and Philo.

Mr. Frantz Jean, President of KPP announced that the 2019 awards were funded by the Jean/Aarestrup family to honor the memory of Oliver Aarestrup, the family patriarch.

Frantz Jean recalled Oliver Aarestrup, his grandfather, as a maverick in the domain of Education. He worked as a School Director in Déjoie, as well as in Macabé in the commune of Port Salut. “Pa VA” or “Direk” as he was affectionately known, promoted higher education in the commune, and participated in different aspects of its cultural life, mostly as a Scout leader.

The recipients of the 2019 “Oliver Aarestrup Prix d’Excellence” were presented with a Certificate, and a cash award to help defray the costs of higher education. The recipients are:

Jessica François          9eme Année Fondamentale        Collège Stella Maris

Miermont François       Philo                                            Lyée de Port-a-Piment

Jacquelin Musac           9eme Année Fondamentale       EFA de Port-a-Piment

Rose Lita Dominique    Philo                                            Collège Evangélique Baptiste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Paule Edline Orcel then led the community in a hymn of Thanksgiving as Father gave his blessing to the recipients.

 

Konbit Pou Potapiman congratulates the award recipients and presents its compliments to the school directors, teachers, parents and mentors who are providing daily guidance to the younger generation.

 

On Saturday June 15^th 2019, the KPP Children’s Library moved back to its old headquarters, in a special section of the EFA school dedicated for such use. In 2016, the library had been destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. Also destroyed was a surrounding wall that provided security and privacy to the library users. KPP had committed to rehabilitate both the library structure and the surrounding wall, while using a vacant classroom of the school for reading activities.

It took time and it took money. The renovation of the library involved rebuilding a 8 foot wall for a length of 400 feet; doting the structure with a new roof, new windows, ordering new tables, chairs, wall shelves and a large closet for storing books between sessions. A fresh coat of paint gives the structure an appealing and kid friendly look.

The “new” KPP Children’s Library now features over 350 books,as well as 30 electronic tablets filled with stories that are of special interest to the kids.

A staff of 2 manages the library. Mr Gary Moise and Miss Marie Antoine Laurole. are both teachers by profession. The library will be open during the summer months on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings, and on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons during the school year. The children proudly display the laminated library card that gives them access to the library.

Konbit Pou Potapiman offers its sincere thanks to all who contributed toward the reconstruction of the Children’s Library. A special Thank You goes to Mr Robert Orcel for volunteering to supervise the work; to Mr Josue Paul, Director of the EFA school ; to Mrs Therèse-Yvette Damas Lahens and Mrs.Josianne Mirville Henry; to Mr and Mrs Marcelin Emile; to Mrs Claudette Werleigh and Mrs Livie Magloire for securing the much needed books. Thank You to Mr Raoul Peck for a generous contribution, and Thank You to Mr and Mrs Valdere Orcel who facilitated the transport of goods and materials.

 

On behalf of the children of Port-a-Piment, Mesi Anpil to all!!

 

 

During the week of June 10^th, Konbit Pou Potapiman proceeded to the distribution of goods that had been donated for use by the citizens of Port-a-Piment. Mr Frantz Jean, KPP President, and Mrs. Paule-Edeline Orcel, Secretary of KPP Haiti, visited all the schools of the town to deliver boxes of messenger bags, headphones, cooler bags and amplifiers donated by the company Shoes for Crews of the USA. The distribution of the  goods was left to the discretion of the school directors and staff.

It is noted that all schools of the commune were also recipients of those gifts, and their lots were entrusted to the respective directors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday June 19^th, Mr Frantz Jean delivered a carton box of medical supplies to the Hospital of Port-a-Piment. It was entrusted to the Medical Director, Dr Marc Andre Letang and also to the Hospital Administrator, Mr Evens Pierre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday July 2^nd, KPP invited the directors of different schools to “shop” for books that had been received and deemed better suited to students of higher grades. Sister Jacqueline  of the School of Notre Dame du Rosaire, Mr Alguinaire Seide of the Lycee of Port-a-Piment, Mr Gary Moise,a teacher, and a representative of EFA were able to peruse and choose different books which will contribute to the growth of their students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Konbit Pou Potapiman thanks Mr..Ricardo Lowe of Shoes for Crews company, Mrs Anssie Blot, Dr Teresa Carmen Garcia, Mr. Thiery Theodore, Mr and Mrs Marcelin Emile, Mrs Therese Yvette Damas Lahens and Mrs Josiane Mirville Henry, Mrs Claudette Werleigh and Mrs Livie Magloire for their contributions. Our thanks also go to KPP members Yves Sidney, Geto Dumesle as well as to Mr and Mrs. Valdere Orcel for their invaluable help in getting those donations to the intended recipients.

Good news for the residents of Anba Dolian in the commune of Port-a-Piment. The availability of fresh water will soon be a reality.  With the financial assistance of One World Group Oxted, a London based non-profit organization, KPP- Haiti, is executing   the “Konbit Pou Potapiman water access project for the population of Anba Dolian” , Port-a-Piment, Haiti..

The availability of fresh water is a very serious problem that affects the quality of life of the people of Haiti in general. Women and children must walk great distances in search of water. This project consists of capturing water from a preexisting basin that was built to provide water to several communities. It entails the laying of pipes to channel the water from the mountain down to an area easily accessible to the residents of Anba Dolian. 

The project is entrusted to the engineering firm of Jean- Sibert Sidney for implementation. The expected results are:

• Fresh water is available in Anba-Dolian.
• Travel time to get to the water source is reduced.
• Improved nutrition/hydration among  the beneficiaries.   

 On May 20^th,, supplies (pipes, cement, shovels etc…} were purchased and transported to the village. Work has begun. It is to be noted that the residents of Anba Dolian are volunteering hours of work toward this project. We will keep you informed of our progress. On behalf of the residents of Anba Dolian and its surroundings, KPP thanks One World Group Oxted for its continuous support.