Konbit Pou Potapiman

There is no need to remind anyone of the importance of water in a community. Access to clean and fresh water is a main concern in Haiti, where waterborne illnesses, such as typhoid, cholera, and chronic diarrhea, are the cause of more than half of the deaths in the country every year. Contaminated water is also one of the leading causes of childhood illnesses and the very high infant death rate in Haiti (57 for every 1000 births). Port-a-Piment is not exempt from these calamities. Since the hurricane of 2008, this community has been without a public water distribution system. Although Konbit Pou Potapiman, with the assistance of United Nations Development Program (UNDP), had managed to restore a system of water distribution for the community in 2012, hurricanes and other difficulties outside of KPP’s control resulted in numerous setbacks and a return to point zero.

As the saying goes, “Where there is a will there is a way”, KPP keeps knocking on doors to find answers. As a result of these efforts, we can share 2 pieces of encouraging news with you.

First, the Stopgap Water Project.

In the last few years, Port-a-Piment reached a water crisis; the local hospital was without water, schools were without water and most households are still without water. One can only imagine how basic needs are met; or better yet, how basic needs are not met. We at KPP decided that something had to be done. Not tomorrow but Now! And that’s how the concept of the Stopgap Water Project was born and implemented.

The Stopgap Water Project consists in the construction of artesian wells throughout the community to provide immediate relief to the water crisis. As the word stopgap implies, this is not a permanent solution. But it’s a solution that has provided a necessary “shot in the arm” which brought instant relief and smiles to a community. The project started in March 2016 and at the time of this writing, 6 wells have been constructed. These wells are at the: Hopital de Port-a-Piment (Hospital), Lycee de Port-a-Piment (School), College Stella Maris (School), EFACAP de Port-a-Piment (School), Ecole Nationale de Figuiers (School), and a Public well in the lower part of Figuiers.

Simple things with enormous consequences are now happening in Port-a-Piment. Children in some schools now have the option of turning on the tap to maintain their cleanliness. Staff at  the community hospital can now wash their hands while attending to patients. Just imagine! These wells have made a world of difference. Inauguration of  the wells are a cause for celebration, with smiling children jumping with joy and pumping water from the well. We also received an email from Dr. Missole Antoine (Medical Director, a.i.) of the hospital thanking KPP and in particular Mr. Frantz Jean, President of KPP. In the email, Dr. Antoine underscores the successful collaboration between the hospital and KPP to bring water to the hospital which now contributes to better services.

Although we are not armed with statistics for this community, we can confidently say that the project is saving lives.

Of course, nothing can be done without the financial support from so many. We want to take this opportunity to thank all the folks who have contributed to KPP and in particular, Dr. Serge St. Gerard.

Dr St Gerard sponsored the construction of the well at the EFACAP school. He wished to honor the memory of his mother, Mrs Anne Muller St Gerard, an esteemed career educator who practiced her vocation in Borgne, Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince.

Second, Revamping the Public Water System.

Since the hurricane of 2008 which destroyed the water system of Port-a-Piment, the community has been in a constant struggle to provide clean water to its citizens. With the assistance of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and DINEPA (Direction National de l’Eau Potable et de l’Assainissement), one giant step was taken when the system was partially repaired in 2012. However, Hurricane Sandy destroyed the work that had been achieved.

In a recent communication,  Ing. Pierre Michael Merisier, Deputy Technical Director of DINEPA, informed us that a project to revamp the system has been approved. In the last two months, a feasibility study has been updated and the bidding process is now being finalized.

Your contributions have helped so much with the water project and with all the different programs that KPP implements  in the areas of Education, Health, Sports, Infrastructure, Youth leadership … But the need is still great. A financial gift from you will be a big help in helping KPP reach its goals. No amount is too small nor too big: $20, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford. The needs are tremendous and urgent.

If you would like to donate, please send your donation to:

Konbit Pou Potapiman, Inc.

18421 NW 12^th Street

Pembroke Pines, FL 33029

OR   Use the PAYPAL DONATION button on this site.

Konbit Pou Potapiman, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt not for profit organization.

Yves Sidney

The 2016 KPP Summer Camp was held at the Ecole Nationale de Figuiers , from July 4^th through July 15^th.

As in the previous year, 60 children, who had been selected by the administrators of the seven local schools on the basis of academic achievement, enjoyed two weeks of fun, togetherness and learning.

The camp was run by Frantz Jean, President of Konbit Pou Potapiman and by Mrs Paule Edline Orcel, Inspector in the local school system. They were joined by a staff of monitors, security personnel, cooks, helpers, janitors, bus driver to ensure a safe and valuable experience for the children.

The camp participants started each morning with a prayer, and a talk by Mrs. Orcel and Mr. Jean , discussing one or more points of the Theme of the week.

For the first week, the Theme  was:  Savoir Ecouter (Learning to Listen), how to give full attention to capture a message; how to transmit a message and interpret the information received.

And for the second week, the Theme was:  Savoir Choisir (Learning to Choose); making choices based on one’s preferences, one’s needs and one’s morals.

From 8AM to 2PM, the children enjoyed different activities which included:

Daily bus rides from and to the center of town,  Physical Activity (Aerobics, Soccer, Rope Jumping, Races…, Singing, Dancing

Embroidery, Crochet, Sewing, making paper flowers and necklaces, coloring, Puzzles, and using discarded plastic bottles to make brooms, flowers, jewelry boxes.

Swimming Trip to the Labeyi River

Raffles

Practicing for Graduation

The children and Staff also enjoyed two hot meals a day.

Many  guest speakers volunteered to join us again this year to share their expertise with the children. They included:

Mrs. Violette Jean, Mrs. Witza Francois, Mrs. Leunine Lorcy,  3 nurses from the local hospital. In one session, the nurses discussed the spread of the Zika virus and the characteristics of the Aeges mosquito. The next week, they discussed the Typhoid Fever, a disease familiar to most of the children. At both sessions, the nurses  reviewed the symptoms of the disease, treatment options , and they placed emphasis on what children can do to prevent the spread of Zika and Typhoid.

Mr. Abraham Gentil, teacher of Social Sciences, addressed the children on two occasions on the early history of Haiti, up to the Emperor Dessalines seeking to meet the challenges of consolidating Haiti’s independence and shoring up the economy of the new nation.

Mr Phedeau  Lubin,  a specialist of the environment, spoke of the types of objects in our world, and the types of relationships that exist between them. He also met the children at the Labeyi  river to discuss the importance of plants; their different components, and how to grow plants effectively.

This year, Judge Bernardin Alcindor joined the roster, and advised the kids on the workings of the Tribunal de Paix, as well as the functions of the different people who work there.

These were very informative sessions not only for the children but also for the staff, who joined the kids in asking and answering questions from the guest speakers.

The children also got to appreciate  a visit from Mayor Raymond Pierre Louis and his assistants.  They encouraged the children in their efforts to do well in school.

Graduation day was the occasion for the staff of KPP to thank the parents for the trust put in us; to command the children on their academic performance and encourage them to always do their best.

In turn, the children executed many songs, dances, a sketch, to the delight of the assistance. They eagerly accepted the gift of a school bag for the coming academic year. They and the parents expressed their thanks to the staff, and enjoyed sandwiches and refreshments.

Another year, another successful Summer camp for KPP.

Our special Thanks go to Mrs Carolle Paul, Mrs Nicole Jean and Mrs. Paule Edeline Orcel for coordinating the work and to the Camp staff for their devotion to the children.

Konbit Pou Potapiman expresses their deep appreciation to :

JGR LLCopa of Hollywood, FL

Mrs. Marie Therese Boulos, Mr Fenold Appolon   , Mrs. Danick Verret, Mr Adeemir Dacenay, Mrs. Doris Izmery and Mr Jacques Frasil

for their unwavering support.

Konbit Pou Potapiman also thanks all the KPP members and supporters who helped make the Camp d Éte 2016 an unforgettable experience for our high academic achievers.