Much has happened in Dessalines, Haiti as the new school year has started. Many new students are enrolled (almost 400 versus 196 last year) and many new teachers have been hired to accommodate that added enrollment. With this come the added expenses in uniforms, books, supplies, and food to feed each student a meal per day, plus the additional salaries of the new teachers. The good news is that the new teachers are not just more of the same. They are the best that Haiti has to offer. And to hire the best teachers costs more money than before. Below is what director Steve Saintus wrote to me in a previous letter last month:
“Our new school has attracted the best teachers Dessalines can offer. An inspector for the commune of Dessalines is on board as an administrative counselor and teacher. Any school in Haiti would have to pay big money to have such a caliber of teacher on their staff. However, I am hesitant I can retain these teachers. With many parents unable to pay the yearly fee of $60 US dollars for their children's education, paying teachers will be a struggle for the school. Do you think we can run a campaign for teachers' salary? It would be the greatest help to the school. The school now has about 34 teachers and 5 administrative personnel. 20 of these teachers will get paid about $150 US dollars per month for 10 months, and the rest will be between $100 to $130 US dollars per month. If I could find some sponsorship for the teachers, the burden of losing these teachers would be lifted as well as that of the parents who cannot pay for their children's education. Help!
President Martely has pushed the opening of this school year to October 10. This is great news as it will give us time to be more prepared. I am not sure the reason for this, but if it has anything to do with the recent report of education in Haiti, I wholeheartedly embrace that decision. 17% of our middle school students passed the national state exam—which means 83% failed. 5% of our high school students passed the national state exam. This is devastating news for an impoverish country stricken by so many things already.” Steve Saintus
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. Philippians 4: 6
I’m not sure what to say today. I only want to commit the facts to all of you and let you make a decision about your investment in this school. I will be returning to EGO on February 1st to finish up the 2nd story addition on the school and to install the permanent stairwell. We need to finish up the bathrooms at the school. Additional teams will be coming to work on the new bathrooms for the boys & girls dormitories. There are screens on most of the buildings that desperately need replacing. We need to have someone take the lead on building the permanent solar module that will provide all the electrical needs for the school and orphanage. There is a need for a new backup generator. We really need consistent power for the computer classes and overhead projectors that are now use by the teachers. I will stop with this. Don & Doris Peavey would never ask you for money. God has always provided their needs without making them known to you, because they rely on Philippians 4: 6 But I will ask because I believe it is Biblical to ask. John 16: 24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete” I am asking you now.
The Needs
· We need a lot of school supplies (chairs, boards, pens and pencils, audio and visual equipment such as overhead projectors, computers, printers, copiers, books and notebooks, library, and internet.
· Funding for our school program is needed. A new challenge will emerge for the coming 2011-2012 school year as we inaugurate our first 5th grade class. We are being challenged because we have hired more teachers in addition to the 17 we are already struggling to pay. Most importantly, we have hired a director of pedagogy (a principal) to respond to the demand of Haiti’s Department of Education and to assure quality education.
· We are in need of funding and volunteer construction workers to help finish the second floor of our school. Contact Steve Scheib if you can help.
· We are in need of sponsorships to give an educational hand to at least one child. $100 will pay for an entire year of school for a child.
With 20 teachers at $150 per month, this is $3,000. Another 14 teachers make $130 per month which equals $1,820 per month. Just salaries alone amount to $4,820 per month. Suppose it takes $1 per month to feed each student and provide school materials for them? This would add another $400 per month. And I think most of you realize that $1 per month is probably not even realistic. So, bottom line is this: The school needs a minimum of $5400 per month just to operate at break even. If only 100 people could help with $54 per month, this need would be met. If 200 people helped with $27 per month, this need would be met. If 300 people helped with $18 per month, the need would be met.
We mentioned that each student is supposed to pay $60 per year as their cost for attending this school. Honestly, most will never have anywhere near that to give towards their fee. That’s really where the shortfall stems – the inability of the average Haitian family to pay for their children’s schooling. These are the needs. Thank you in advance. Steven Scheib HaitiWorkTeams@gmail.com
Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage
Finance Office
3572 Quebec Trail
Wayland, MI 49348
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