Camp Perrin-Haiti Two Schools Project

Dorcas Works International (DWI) 501©3 is a non-profit Christian Organization established in 2007 committed to providing clothes, food and education for children and abused women in Haiti, Jamaica and Liberia, providing books for schools, education and medical supplies in these countries as well as hosting feeding programs. Our international efforts have resulted in partnership with Feed My Starving Children and have enabled us to distribute over 400,000 packaged meals to schools, hospitals and communities in Liberia, West Africa. In addition, after the Haiti earthquake, DWI visited Haiti in 2011 and 2012 and now sends bags of clothes and school supplies weekly to Port Au Prince and Camp Perrin to improve the lives of victims of the earthquakes that still live in tents. For some of our local projects, over the years we have partnered with the US Marines Toys for Tot Programs, Minneapolis Police Department and the Lind Bohanon Neighborhood Association which resulted in the distribution of over 3,000 toys to impoverished families. Other local projects include the Back to School Book Drive which resulted in distribution of over 500 backpacks for kids in the urban cities and the Thanksgiving Food Distribution to senior citizens and single mothers all in partnership with Here's Life Inner City.

BACKGROUND

Education is the key to empowering children to create a better future and improve their livelihood and their community. Education is more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is one of the most important investments a community and country can make in its people and its future and is critical to reducing poverty and inequality.

The population of Camp Perrin Haiti is 65,000 and 28% is of school age. The average age for kindergarten in this City is 7 years old. Moreover, there are only eight schools. During two visits and interviews with community leaders, parents, students and teachers after the earthquake in 2011 and 2012, we discovered that the number of schools available does not meet the growing population and moreover in some instances three grade levels occupied the same room at the same time making learning complicated and ineffective. The local leaders have donated a plot of land for the construction of a K-8 school. The school currently has 122 students. In another instance, a church was being used as a learning hub with each class being separated by a standing chalkboard. Some of the students walk an average of three miles each day to school to sit in congested classrooms. The roof was leaking and there were no doors to some of the small standing structure called a school. The community leaders have acquired the land for the site. No funding is required for the acquisition of land.

Geographic Scope
After two facts finding mission trips to Camp Perrin, Haiti in 2011 and 2012, the need for two new school buildings became more apparent. The new schools will be able to house 600 children within a six mile radius and also encourage parents to be more involved and encourage and create partnership with school authorities to promote high academics.
The project plan has been approved by the governing body and the City Building Administration.

Principal Activities:
a. Get competitive funding
b. Acquire Building Permits
c. Have the groundbreaking ceremony -We encourage all donors to travel with our team.
d. Start the Construction Work-Donors are always welcome help in the construction process
e. Report and Update Donors quarterly on progress of project with detailed financial reports, receipts and pictures
f. Complete building and invite donor representative to Camp Perrin, Haiti for Ribbon Cutting and dedication and to meet with Community leaders and Teachers.
g. Send final reports to donors and close project.

To request a copy of the planning matrix, budget and IRS certificate or more information, please email [email redacted]

The project as already begun in Camp Perrin.  Our next trip to Haiti will in August, 2014. The cost of the trip to from Washinton DC to Camp Perrin is between $500 to $685.00 per person. We will stop at Port Au Prince and leave the same day for Camp Perrin.
Knowledge of French is essential but not necessary as we will have translators. This is an exciting opportunity for all who has been longing to make an impact in the World.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT
The project will operate through a Steering Committee (SC) composed of skilled professional volunteers (engineers, masons, plumbers) from the United States who will travel to the site to start the project and train the local builders, Banana Camp Perrin Parent teachers Association, Program Coordinators in Haiti and Coordinator-Joanna Carr Diabe, USA.

Duration of the Project
12 months depending on Funds Availability (2014-2015)

MONITIORING AND EVALUATION
The projects will have an efficient transparent, monitoring and evaluation system that will help all participants orient their work toward the results and objective to be achieved by the project and to inform donors and all decision making levels on project advancement. It is vital to establish a consensus with key stakeholders on the following:
· Planning
· Project organization and responsibilities.
· Contribution of volunteers from the US, local community and parents.
· Participate in local political settings with mayor and townsmen.

ASSUMPTION AND RISKS
The principal risk regarding the achievement of the Objective of the Project is the possibility of severe weather. Bad weather could prolong the project term. Another risk is life un-expectant events. The project is being structured such that volunteers from the United States travel for a one week period-four times during the project to work with local engineers in constructing the school. Since after two mission trips and fact fining missions after the earthquake, I have received over 100 communications via emails, letters, skype and phone calls from the Principal, school authorities and community leaders pleading for the need to build this school that will create a conducive learning environment.

Budget -$50,000.00-USD For Two Schools

Sustainability
As this is one time investment in Banana, Camp Perrin for this school, parents and teachers and community leaders will organize clean up campaigns; do self-help mini projects to maintain the building. Part of the registration fees will be allocated for maintenance.

Conclusion
Our idea of building Two-8 rooms K-8 classroom-Two Schools will help us to reach the maximum number of working children and school drop outs deprived of childhood and education who will be brought in to the main stream of education while creating a relaxed and comfortable learning environment. We have planned to get all key players involve and make them accountable to this institution, this school will become a great asset to the community. Remember the importance of education cannot be stated enough. It is a self-enlightening process. It is crucial to the overall development of an individual and the society at large.


THE PROJECT
OBJECTIVES
· To construct Two School Buildings-Two 8 room buildings in accordance with the City Code of Camp Perrin K-8 that will help improve the learning environment by eliminating the occupancy of three classes in one room. Also, to have a teacher's lounge, two restrooms and a mini cafeteria on site.
· To have funding to complete the building in one year or less
· Muster support and maintain monthly round table discussions with parents and teachers who are key stakeholders in maintaining and sustaining the structure.
· After the project, enrollment is expected to increase to 270 students at each school.


BENEFICIARIES AND PARTIES INVOLVED:
The direct beneficiaries are the students, parents, teachers and community. Girls and boys, who learn to read, write and count will provide a better future for their families and countries. With improved education, so many other areas are positively affected. In short, education has the power to make the world a better place
The indirect beneficiaries are the City of Camp Perrin, the country Haiti and the World. With globalization and migration on the rise, Education has become the fabric that unites many and creates several opportunities to alleviate poverty.