Projects
The Haitian earthquake destroyed or damaged more than 9,000 school buildings in the country, and regrettably, the Joyous Heart School was one of them.
Edeyo’s most immediate task therefore is to purchase a new site and build a new school, which will require some $200,000-300,000.
Because we will be building from the ground up, we will be able to add some modern necessities the old Joyous Heart School lacked, including a cafeteria, library, computer lab, auditorium, nurse’s office, and playground.
We also hope to expand enrollment to 300 students in grades K-6, up considerably from the 88 students we taught when we first opened the school in 2007.
As before the earthquake, we intend to:
● Provide free tuition for all students at the school. We will teach French, Math, History, Science, Art, and Music.
● Furnish students with classroom essentials, including blackboards, chairs and desks, uniforms, notebooks, pencils, and backpacks.
● Provide one hot meal a day to all enrolled students.
After the Earthquake
The earthquake destroyed the Joyous Heart School and took the lives of six of Edeyo’s students.
Director Marie Maude Saab survived the disaster and quickly initiated a search for Edeyo’s students, teachers, and staff.
Edeyo mobilized volunteer doctors and nurses and gathered donated medicines, supplies, and tents to set up health clinics in the school’s neighborhood.
Aid teams treated minor injuries and infections, and provided tents, blankets, water, and hygiene kits to the families of our students and other community residents.
To help our students cope with the shock of the catastrophe, Edeyo set up classrooms in tents and brought in volunteers equipped with art supplies donated by the U.S. to draw, paint, and engage in craft work with the young survivors. Music was an important part of the program as well, with adults joining in the songs of hope and rebirth.
In Their Own Words
Students at the Joyous Heart School have been encouraged to participate in a Pen Pal program, exchanging letters with students in the U.S. Here are some excerpts from their letters, describing in their own words their lives following the earthquake:
26/05/2010
From: Junior
To: Kimira, Atana, Jiama, Beyonce, and Mania
My name is Junior Coquillon Cableb Chavannes. I was born on October 15, 1998. I’m a student at the Edeyo School, and I am very happy to have you all as my pen pals. I am really glad to know that I am in your thoughts.
My favorite thing to do is to go to school. I like music, dancing, history. I love apples and bananas. My favorite colors are blue, white, and red. We celebrate in Haiti Christmas, Easter, and our flag day. When I grow up, I want to be a consulate from Haiti to either the US or France.
A few people that I admire are Edeyo, my father and mother, and my classmates. We have been through so much together since the earthquake, my classmates and I.
The earthquake has destroyed our house, but God protected the members of my family. So we don’t have any material stuff, but we have each others’ Love.
I hope to hear from you soon. I can’t believe I know someone named Beyonce now.
Love,
Junior
May 12,2010
Dear, Javin, Maya, Barbara, Kaijeh, and Zahir
Good morning, my name is Gravil Makendy, your pen pal at the Edeyo School. I am fourteen years old. I am very glad we are writing to each other.
Some things I celebrate are: birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day.
Some people I admire are: my mother and father, Michael Jackson, Timberland, and Rihanna.
After the earthquake that happened in Haiti, my family and I are not doing very well. It’s hard for us right now because we live in a tent in Bel-Air. Right now things are bad, because water, clothes, and food are difficult to get.
After finishing school I want to be: an engineer and a writer. I would like to visit: America, Canada, France, England, and Italy.
Can you visit me and my school? I would like to visit your country.
Thank you my friends.
I love you so much
Gravil Makendy
May 4,2010
From: Ganahelle Pierre
To: Jasmyn, Derou, Isaiah, Tanaya, and George
I am Ganahelle Pierre. I was born June 25, 1999. I am going to be 11 years old. I have to tell you that my house has collapsed during the earthquake, but fortunately my family is fine.
I am so delighted to receive your letter; it made me happy to know that I am in your thoughts. Like you I have a lot of people that I respect. I admire most of all EDEYO, because they show me that I can be anything; my daddy; my mom; Ms. Maude — she is the director of our school; and my favorite teacher Eric. I especially admire my classmates because of everything that we have been through together.
The thing that I love most is life. When I am older I hope to be a doctor to help people. We have a lot of economic problems in Haiti, and we feel that unfortunately the government doesn’t care about us.
Here are the things that I appreciate the most: drawing, music, and dancing. My favorite foods are some rice, fish, apples, and chicken.
I really hope to hear from you again pretty soon.
Merci,
Ganahelle