Since the summer of 2011, school was held in director Shad St. Louis’s family house(outlined in blue square in the satellite image to the left.) The school is now in Merger, Croix des Bouquets(outlined in the yellow), but most of our students come from the community of Sibert, Croix des Bouquets, where Shad’s house is.
The initial 42 students crossed a river, walked, ran, hopped on a “tap tap”, motorcycle or with their parents on their bicycles, or a combination of those to get to school. Our students truly vary in their living conditions, from living in tents in a tent camp, makeshift shacks out of mud and wood or tarps and corrugated metals To support their families, a majority of our parents find commerce businesses to manage, selling food or wares in streets or markets to the community. Other parents find work in construction, tending gardens or animals, sewing and tailoring, or driving “tap taps” But business and life here can can be tough, as medical visits, school shopping or even just buying enough food for the family can crumble all the business savings in the family. The HEART team has worked to help our families with their economic needs by starting some business opportunities that will allow our families to furnish their trades and skills, and allow true paths to self sustainability. This school year, we will continue to provide and expand business and sustainable living opportunities for the people of the Sibert community.