Funds are  needed and gratefully accepted for building the school.

You can also help and make a difference in the lives of these children.

$20 will purchase a school uniform

$65 pays a teacher salary for one month
 

Building Blocks for Education - Answering Pope Francis' Call in the Year of Mercy

The Haiti Committee of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church as part of the ongoing relationship with its sister parish in Haiti, has committed to building an eight classroom school which also includes an administrative office and bathrooms in the parish of

During the Year of Mercy, Bishop Folda has given permission to the parishes of Deanery IV to partner with St. John’s to embark on creating this permanent structural work of mercy.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with over 10.6 million people living in a country roughly the size 1/7 of North Dakota. Nationally, 60% of the country lives in poverty, with 25% living in abject poverty.
 
For over 25 years, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church has maintained a sister parish relationship in Haiti, sending financial support on a monthly basis and during times when natural disasters affected the country. The current sister parish relationship with St. Yves in Savanette Cabrale has been in existence since 2014. Savanette Cabrale is located in the west central plain of the country and is one of the poorest regions in the country. St. Yves is a relatively new parish established after the devastating earthquake in 2010.
 
St. Yves consists of the main church in Savanette Cabral and three chapels, with two of the chapels also having schools. The main parish school is held in the church with approximately 100 students. The primary grade levels are all taught in the one large area of the church worship space. Space, not walls separates the grade levels.
 
In this environment, noise and distractions abound. The school would like to be able to keep the children past the primary grades, but there is not enough room
 
For many of the children, the one meal they receive at school is the only meal they will eat that day.

 Haiti has largely been stripped of its natural resources. When individuals are living hand to mouth, they can’t begin to focus on their future. The only real hope for lifting these children out of poverty is education which will introduce them to modern technology and unlimited opportunities.
 
Public schools are the only schools which receive very limited government funding. Currently there is only one public school in the region. The school at St. Yves is considered a private school and does not receive any government support. In building a school, St. Yves will be able to expand their level of influence in the region. More children will be able to attend school and to stay in school longer. Both Catholic and non-Catholic students attend the school. The school teaching forms the children in Christian, Catholic values. The focus is on education and building a foundation where students and the community can see the opportunity to improve their quality of life now and for future generations.
 
The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 16 tells the story of Lazarus, who was lying at the door of the “rich man” who “dined sumptuously each day”. Haiti is like Lazarus, at our door. Let us not be one who eats well and ignores the poor at our door.