Konbit Pou Potapiman

By Yves Sidney.

In our previous update of September 30^th, we informed you that we were in the process of working with three (3) schools and awaiting words on specific needs from others. As of this writing, KPP is helping eight (7) schools in the commune of Port-a-Piment. Our financial support has targeted:

1. repair of damages (not structural)
2. operating expenses for schools where parents cannot afford to pay
3. construction of temporary structures (schools with structural damages)

Slowly but surely, the repairs are being completed. This update will feature the ” Ecole Fondamentale d’Application”  de Port-a-Piment (EFA). This is a school that services approximately 600 children. Its doors were open on November 11th to greet the students to a facility with a new and improved look.

To give you a feel of the impact of this intervention, below is a translation of excerpts from a letter by the school’s leadership (Josué Paul – Principal, Marlène Blaise – Teacher and Rico Lajoie – Parent):

“The Management of the EFA of Port-à-Piment presents its thanks to the staff of the KPP (Konbit Pou Potapiman) for their contribution to the Haitian education system and the development of children in the municipality of Port-à-Piment in particular…

Indeed, this is the first time we have had the chance to repaint the walls of the school since its construction in 2006.Thanks to your financial support, we had the opportunity to remake the image of the school… We greatly appreciate this assistance… that you alone have embraced and funded…

With our deepest sense of gratitude, the EFA/CAP management presents its thanks to you,”

On behalf of our Donors and KPP’s Board of Directors, thank you to the leadership team of EFA de Port-a-Piment.

As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. These accomplishments are proof of what KPP with the help of our donors have been able to do. We are doing our best to pave the way for the children of Port-a-Piment for a more promising future.

Thank you for your support.

Photos: Jonel Musac
  

An extraordinary event happened on Sunday October 17^th 2021: Konbit Pou Potapiman (KPP) delivered on its promise to assist the farmers in the various villages of the commune of Port-a-Piment in their quest to recover from the economic downturn caused by the devastating earthquake of last August 14^th 2021

Our project was to provide the farmers with the seeds needed to cultivate their land, and also to accompany them with technical assistance for a successful harvest of beans in the next 3-4 months.

Early on that Sunday, farmers from 13 villages of the countryside started to converge on Grandpas, one of the neighborhoods of the town of Port-a- Piment.

They were 300 who had registered to receive 5 “buckets“ of beans seeds each for planting.

The identification of the recipients was carefully reviewed. Each of the farmers was the holder of an ID card provided by KPP. These cards were created to facilitate the process of distribution.

  A roll call by villages was made to verify the presence of the beneficiaries.  Mr. Jean Robert Isidor, the KPP representative, took to the podium to welcome the farmers. In his speech, he reminded them of the meaning of October 17th in Haitian history: date of the death of Jean Jacques Dessalines, Father of the Haitian Revolution.  Jean Robert stated that the distribution of the seeds was a great way to honor his memory. He also reiterated the objectives of the program: to help the farmers improve their family’s finances, while helping others do the same. Upon harvest, each farmer is to return 1 “bucket” of beans to KPP to help further the program to other villages. Four other members of KPP also spoke to the crowd.

The farmers, armed with their registration cards, were then called by villages. The operation went on smoothly for 4 hours. Our reports indicate that all farmers did receive what was promised to them. And they expressed their gratitude to the organization.

 We thank our members in Port-a-Piment for their leadership in planning, and executing the operation. Thank you Jean Jules, Paule Edline, Murielle, Phebe, Jonel, Rosie, Gayoni, Brian.  Kudos to Jean Robert Isidor for his leadership in the preparation and realization of this phase of the project!

We also thank everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts. Mesi, Mesi anpil!

Photos: Jonel Musac
  

or this link to our GOFUNDME:  https://gofund.me/c974b54d

By Yves Sidney

Since our previous update of August 30, 2021, our members on the ground (KPP-Haiti) have continued working relentlessly. They are coordinating various activities to prepare the schools and the children to be ready for the current school year which starts on October 4^th. In addition, they are putting in place what is needed to implement Konbit Pou Potapiman (KPP) new long-term focus: the revival of Agriculture in the farmland of the commune.

Schools

We are currently working with 3 schools: Lycée de Port-a-Piment, College Rwood Claudy Damas and EFA de Port-a-Piment. There are other schools which contacted us for help but have not yet specified what their needs are.

Lycée de Port-a-Piment:  The Earthquake of last month had impacted mostly every building in Port-a-Piment and the schools were not spared. Fortunately this school has not sustained structural damages, However all classrooms showed visible cracks that needed repairs .

A request for assistance from the School Director, M. Aguilnaire Seide was  received and approved by KPP. .As of last Friday,  all repairs have been completed and the school has been painted. Another phase of the project which has already started, is repairs to the road leading to the school.

College Rwood Claudy Damas: This school was completely demolished. The principal, Mr. François Frasil, took the initiative to construct a hangar (tentative structure) to receive the children for the start of school. He reached out to KPP, and we helped finance part of the project. Work has started and the principal is confident that the structure will be ready to welcome its students

 EFA de Port-a-Piment: This school which serves approximately 600 hundred children was fortunate not to sustain structural damages. As of this writing, the repairs have started, and we will be reporting on their progress in our subsequent update.

Agriculture

 Farming: Execution of this project has generated tremendous interest from the planters in the commune. As a result, we are expanding the number of participants from 80 to 300. Mr. Jean Robert Isidor (member of KPP-Haiti) and the local agronomist, Mr., Gayoni Elie Germeil continue to identify more farmers to achieve the new goal..

In the meantime, the farmers are preparing their fields for the new crops, and the agronomist is aiding them where needed by providing technical help. We are now purchasing and bagging the seeds for distributions.

 Thank you for your support. The need is great and we always appreciate your generosity. As mother Theresa said “together we can do great things”,

More to follow….

Photos: Jonel Musac
  

or this link to our GOFUNDME:  https://gofund.me/c974b54d