Haiti – 2013 School Challenge Project

Exciting news!

The School Challenge goal was met, and exceeded with $58,385.36 raised. Congratulations to all participating students – you have made a real difference.

Help and Hope for Haiti: School Challenge 2013/2014

In the land of Haiti, cholera has sickened children and decimated the country. Haitians have bravely battled this epidemic while still recovering from the devastating earthquake. That’s why we chose Haiti as the site for the 2013/2014 School Challenge Project: where children help children worlwide.

Due to the overwhelming spectre of disease which has claimed over 8,000 lives and still threatens families, hygiene education part of this project was critical. Our local partners worked with the children and teachers on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) training. The training was tied into national standards and rules for latrines and sanitation, with a specific emphasis on disease prevention.

Meet the Schools:

1. Lycée Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite Junior and High School has approximately 1,000 students.
The local water system was not generating enough pressure or yielding enough water needed to supply the school population. There were too few sanitation facilities for the number of students.

2. Conservatrice School at Moreau Drouet is a primary school of 200 children.
The water source used by this school was across a very busy roadway. Previously, the women working at the school carrired the water across the road and filled a drum at the school for the students to use. Crossing the road was a great concern in this busy area; in fact, a student was killed by a vehicle while crossing. There was only one latrine in terrible condition and no hand-washing facility.

3. College Mixte Les Frères Sermond is a primary school with 250 students.
The school had only a hand-dug well that dried up in harsh heat, and no latrines or hand-washing stations.

Activities:

• Build one deep well for each school
• Build eight latrines with hand-washing facilities for each school
• Sanitation and hygiene training for students and staff
• Pump mechanic training to ensure longevity

Completed:

1.  Lycee Petite Riviere de l’Artibonite – Drilling of one deep well, construction of 2 four stance latrines with change room for girls and handwashing facilities. Wash training for all staff and students.

2. Ecole Conservatrice Moreau Drouet – Drilling of one deep well, construction of 2 four stance latrines with change room for girls and handwashing facilities. Wash training for all staff and students.

3. College Mixte les Freres Sermond – Drilling of one deep well, construction of 2 four stance latrines with change room for girls and handwashing facilities. Wash training for all staff and students.

Accomplished:

There will now be at least 1,700 students that have access to clean drinking water. These same students will now have a sanitary place to go to the bathroom while at school and be able to wash their hands.

Prior to the school challenge, the number of students attending the three schools was at 1450. At the completion, school enrollment was up 250 students. This is a direct result of students being able to use a sanitary place to go to the bathroom, not having to find a wall or bush outside the school to hide behind.

The clean water, sanitation,handwashing stations and wash training will have a direct impact immediately on the heath of the students going to these schools.

Learn more about this project through Education Coordinator Elisabeth Rubli’s fascinating blog about her journey to Haiti!

• Postcards from Haiti
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5