In the Mountains

There is more to Haiti than the millions who live in the Port-au-Prince area.  Today instead of working, we drove into the mountains above Port-au-Prince to visit Janet Daniels as she teaches sewing and quilting to women from a mountain village, Bois d'Avril.  Janet comes to Haiti twice per year and remains for two or so weeks at a time.


 As you can see, her students are very proud of their work.  One lady kept me taking pictures as she held up different items that she had made.  They believe that sewing and creating beautiful items can lead to a better quality of life, or they would not spend the time and effort in this endeavor.

Without exception, all the adults in Bois d'Avril are illiterate.  Even without an education, they know that they are learning a skill that has earnings potential.  It will not take much money to improve their lives.

 John and Deb Currelly, Canadians who have been working in Haiti for over 30, host Janet and her school.  (I neglected to take current pictures of them as they hosted the team for lunch.)  Their home has these wonderful views.

Our team took school supplies and Legos for the local school.  This school was only begun 2 1/2 years ago and has 2 1/2 small rooms.  Previously, the building was a roofless shell.  Roofed and painted, it is a poster child for the most basic school.

It is a private school, and the two teachers are paid by charging tuition.  John and Deb Currelly provide the teachers room and board as the school becomes established.  The school has 33 students in grades K-3; the oldest student is 15 years old.  (Since it was Friday, the students were released at noon, so we were not able to meet them.  Monday - Thursday, the hours are 7:30am to 3:30pm)

I am impressed with the teachers.   The students are learning English, French, and Spanish.  (One teacher speaks Creole and French; the other speaks Creole and Spanish.  Deb Currelly teaches English.)  The lead teacher is Montessori trained and has other training from a U.S. organization.

Tomorrow, back to Croix des Mission.