Konbit Pou Potapiman

On March 26^th and April 5^th 2016, the first GIVE PHASE of the project was completed in the villages of Dupin and Pinette.

In these villages, twenty (20) new families became the beneficiaries of the project, as the new owners of two (2) female sheep or goats each. Now, ALL female adult residents in the villages of Pinette and Dupin have become recipient beneficiaries of the project.

 It is expected that these new beneficiaries will in turn become the donors to families from other villages, as the program extends its geographical coverage. It was noted that some of the newly received animals are already grown and some are expecting their first litter.

As the cost of a sheep or goat is currently estimated at around 2700 Gourdes, the assets of each participating family has increased by at least 5400 Gourdes, the equivalent of USD 88.00. This is significant as the World Bank estimates that in rural communities, Haitians live on less than $ 2 a day.

It is worth noting that the participants in Dupin and Pinette elected to introduce the use of Zeb Ginen, or Guinea Grass ( Penicum maximum Jacq.), a large perennial bunch grass, native of Africa and now introduced in the tropics, as fodder for the animals. This high quality feed is drought tolerant and well suited to grazing. To harvest the Zeb Ginen, strong arms are needed, and the KPP Coordinators have gladly noted the growing involvement of the family men, who want to ensure the growth and well-being of the animals.

The GIVE PHASE of the project was the occasion of much Joy expressed by the families. The exchange took place in a festive atmosphere and residents from nearby villages also came to witness the happy event and express their hope that the project will soon reach their villages.

Konbit Pou Potapiman expresses its gratitude to One World Group Oxted for funding this project.

On Tuesday, April 5^th 2016, Konbit Pou Potapiman (KPP) organized a Health Conference, its first to target the female adolescent population of Port-a-Piment.

One hundred and ninety (190) girls, from age 13 to 19, and from the 7 schools of the town attended the event from 12 Noon to 1:30PM at the Salle Paroissiale. Each group reported in, accompanied by their school directors.

They were greeted first by Frantz Jean, president of KPP Inc, and also by Mrs. Paule-Edeline Orcel, KPP Executive Secretary. Both welcomed the participants and encouraged them to take full advantage of the program.

Mrs. Nicole Jean, KPP member, informed the audience of the sponsors of the program: The Links Incorporated, Fort Lauderdale(FL) Chapter and the Broward County Chapter of the United Nations Associations of the United States of America (UNA-USA). She advised them on the long relationship of KPP with these organizations and of their missions.

Mrs. Orcel then introduced the guest speaker, Mrs. Violette Jean, Nurse at the local hospital. Mrs. Jean gently invited the male guests to step out as to offer full privacy to the teen girls.

Nurse Violette Jean has held many health sessions for KPP in the past and was very much at ease to discuss with the teen girls many different topics such as:

Body changes that occur with Puberty

Managing discomforts of monthly periods

Principles of feminine hygiene

Avoiding infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Practicing abstinence

Taking responsibility for birth control

And the newest danger to their health, the Zika virus, and its ill effects on pregnancies.

Throughout the talk, the focus remained on improving self-image, the importance of higher education, and avoiding pregnancies early in life, which hamper the girls’ education.

The talk included many light hearted moments and the girls felt at ease to ask questions and share health tips with their fellow teens.

The girls were then treated to their very own Hygiene kit. Mrs. Nicole Jean described the contents and the use of the different components.

As the program reached its end, the teen girls expressed their thanks with a song, as each also received a pack of cookies for the road.

Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. is grateful to the Links Incorporated, Fort Lauderdale (FL) Chapter, the Broward County Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United states of America (UNA-USA), for the gift of Hygiene kits. KPP thanks Violette Jean, Paule-Edeline Orcel, Nicole Jean, as well as the school administrators for their valuable cooperation. It is our hope that this program will contribute fully to the formation of the future mothers and the female leaders of tomorrow.

From January 2016 through March 2016, the commune of Port-a-Piment held its first spelling contest between 5 different schools. The contest was strictly reserved for students of the first two cycles of basic education and was held in both of Haiti’s languages: Kreyol and French.

Each school was represented by a team of 5 students. The participating schools were : Ecole Nationale de Figuiers, Ecole Nationale de Labeyi, Ecole Nationale de Potus, Ecole Evangélique Baptiste de Port-a-Piment, Ecole Mixte Tabernacle de Granpass.

Organized by NOSH, a local organization and sponsored by Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc (KPP), this spelling contest aims to encourage students to demonstrate their talents and accomplishments through oral spelling of words. It is designed to help students not only improve their vocabulary skills, but also to learn concepts that will help develop the correct usage of French and Kreyol.

The final round of this important event was held on Wednesday March 16th, 2016 at the Evangélique Baptist Church in Port-a-Piment. The two teams finalists were Ecole Nationale de Potus and Ecole Evangelique Baptiste de Port-a-Piment. The contest was won by Ecole Nationale de Potus.

This first Spelling contest was an overwhelming success. We would like to thank all the participants, students, teachers and staff who helped make the event a success.

Congratulations to the team of the Ecole Nationale de Potus for winning the contest!

Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc, is proud to have sponsored Port-a-Piment’s First Spelling contest and hope to make it an annual event. Kudos to NOSH, the local organizer!