Thanks to some very generous donors, Helping Hands for Haiti has undergone construction on a brand new school! These pictures showcase the foundation outlined, then the foundation work, followed by the walls that were erected last Friday. Most schools in Haiti are "for profit" and the students are required to pay tuition, have to purchase their own books, uniforms, and they pay to take tests. Our school will be a "free school", so children in the area of the mission house will not be denied the opportunity to attend school because the family could not afford to send them.
Not only is the "free school" a welcome addition to the area, but also during the construction of the school, local labor is hired to do the work thus enabling many individuals job opportunities. Each week Fritz hires 40 workers to work on the school. The following week a different set of 40 workers are hired thus giving many families an income. Fritz is an equal opportunity employer and not only hires both men and women but also includes those with disabilities wherever possible.
When completed, the school will consist of six classrooms, plus a room for the director, a bathroom, two houses for teachers, and a house for the custodian. We look forward to the opening of the new school in the fall and expect over 300 students!
