Empowerment through Education

The Past

When Fr Meres Esterlin arrived in Bassin-Zim, there was nothing and no money available to build the parish community. He needed to attract people to attend Mass. but he could not because in the rural areas, the people could not read nor could they understand the readings and his homilies. When HaitiReach asked Fr Meres how we could help, he replied “I need a school because I have no one to help me and to read at Mass.” He knew that education was the key to a better future for the community of Bassin-Zim.” Forty percent (40%) of the adults in Bassin-Zim are illiterate. Why you might ask? There are few public schools in Haiti so international private schools and church sponsored schools educate 90% of the students. These schools require funding for tuition, books, and uniforms. Money is scarce in rural areas, and thus, tuition payments are beyond the financial resources of many families.

As we grew as a family, we uncovered our common concerns and needs: healthcare, education, livelihood, and faith. Thus, Notre Dame de Fatima School began in the church and under five mango trees where Fr Meres taught students and teachers to read. In 2008-09, by utilizing the hard work and ingenuity of the people of Bassin Zim, a social hall was constructed that provided the community a meeting place that would also be used as a temporary school. In 2010, a computer lab with satellite connection was added.  Like the mango trees, Fr Meres' dream continued to grow and to bear fruit. With help from St. Brendans and Rotary International, a nine room school with a well, latrines, handwashing stations, and a teaching garden opened in 2014. It marked the first time in the history of the Sister Parish Program that land was purchased for erecting a new building, and Fr Meres says, " without the school and the help of HaitiReach, the parish would cease to exist."

The Present

Today, Notre Dame de Fatima is a School of Excellence, and 241 students fill the classrooms for Pre-K 3 to Grade 9. The staff includes 18 teachers, the principal and support staff. Because the community is spread over a wide area, the students and staff often walk several miles to attend school at NDF. Their curriculum includes reading, writing, math,science, and religion. In the third cycle (Gr 6-9), students begin to learn English. In addition to their classes, the students are given lunch, which is often the only meal they eat. Meals are cooked by several mothers who have learned that providing the meal makes a difference in  the lives of the children and the community as a whole. As the school has grown, more  students are passing the state mandated exams so that they can move on to high school and continue their education in neighboring towns.

The Future

Jean Rodson, the principal of the school, laid out his priorities for the future: refurbishing the building (paint and repairs), increasing teacher salaries to retain the teachers, and building a cantina where students can eat sheltered from the blazing sun and pouring rain. Students currently sit on the ground to eat their meal.

Our journey is far from complete.  Just as we have helped to build the infrastructure of the community with bricks and mortar, our attention continues to focus on the people of Notre Dame de Fatima.  Keep in mind that St. Brendan’s has been the major source of funds used in the daily operation of the church and school including the wages for the teachers and school suppies. Fr Meres knew that education would provide a better future for the young people of Bassin-Zim. In today's world, there is a correlation between English proficiency and one's quality of life because English has become the language of international communication, business, entertainment, and the internet. Fr Meres says, "we need to empower the pastors, teachers, and students to learn English because English Language skills provide a pathway to better paying jobs, additional education, a better life for the next generation." As we move into the future, Fr Bourdeau, Father Gary, Father Kenley, and M Rodson support the idea of introducing English into the curriculum.