On July 6, 2018 Carina, Shad, and Shad’s family members met Barbara and Cheryl Rose, long-term supporters of the school, in Port Au Prince, Haiti to begin what was planned to be a few days of HEART school meetings and tours, kindergarten and sixth grade graduations, report card distribution, and a 2nd wedding celebration for Carina and Shad with the community members in Haiti.
Unfortunately, July 6 was the first day of many days of tension, roadblocks, and burning tires throughout the city and surrounding towns. It was decided that all additional Board Members and volunteers cancel their pending flights to visit Haiti until the unrest subsided.
The school leadership team also cancelled all of the ceremonies and celebrations due to the precarious situation in Haiti. These decisions saddened many, but our HEART team leaders could not invite anyone to the school without knowing for sure that their passage would be safe.
Barbara and Cheryl Rose safely left the country. Luckily no HEART volunteers, staff, community members or students were harmed during the protests, but we know that anxiety, fear, sadness and disappointment for the country were all emotions present in our hearts and minds.
But HEART team leaders have always persevered through difficult times and managed to have productive meetings and events despite the distractions.
Here are some of the events that took place:
- Shad, Adam, Dieumaitre, Carina, Ms. Serome (head teacher), Mr. Amazan (school secretary), and Mr. Patrick (experienced local school director, teacher, and HEART advisor) held meetings to discuss ways of improving report card formats, teacher contracts, and new student and new teacher orientation protocols.
- Carina and Mr. Amazan worked to verify that all translated student buddy letters along with a student photo would be ready to send out from New York in August.
- Jasmine, our furniture maker, finished the tables, chairs, and shelves for the library and Carina was able to read recently donated books to HEART students.
- Report cards were distributed during the week of July 16th along with gifts from sponsors.
- Shad and Carina visited Mr. Patrick’s school and got his perspective on education in Haiti, brainstormed possibilities for the HEART School, and saw the setup of his library program.
- Medical services were coordinated for a teacher with a serious medical issue. After tests and doctor visits, she is feeling much better and is grateful to the HEART School for their help.
- The nurse’s office construction, along with its bathroom is nearing completion.
- Our school nurse has compiled and finalized her health summary of the students.
- Shad and Adam secured estimates for future projects and discussed the strategic plan of the school.
- The future Racheal Anilyse Art Room will soon become a reality.
- One final note, almost $6,000 was raised through Carina’s and Shad’s wedding “fundraiser”. This was a combination of gifts made to HEART in their honor, and raffle basket profits the night of the wedding.
Even with adverse conditions facing Haiti the HEART in Haiti School continues to thrive and move forward with the support of generous donors and volunteers. There is much to celebrate and all are grateful.
