Right now in Haiti, Star of Hope has three construction projects underway. New toilets and service buildings at the school in Marigot, two new classrooms in Bois Negresse (four more needed) and a church building in Hesse. The classrooms will be completed in April and the church building by the end of May. But what do these projects mean to the Haitians themselves?
The obvious answer is a new building for their school or church. But it is much more than that. It means medicine. It means food. It means clothing. It means a job. For in all three of these communities, the opportunity for producing income is severely limited. Because one of the principals we follow in a construction project is to provide jobs for as many local people as we can, there is much joy and celebration when a new project begins.
These projects are intentionally done labor intensively. Hand tools and maybe a gasoline powered cement mixer and hundreds of hands and feet. No excavating machines, no cement trucks. A small project, like the ones in Marigot and Bois Negresse might employ up to 50 people. But a larger job, like the church building in Hesse, can provide employment for more than 100.
These jobs run the scope from skilled masons to carrying water and collecting rocks and sand. By our American standards they don't pay much. But for the people in these communities, these jobs are a true blessing.
So you see, if you helped finance a building in Haiti, you now have an idea what that means. Want to help? We have need for four more classrooms in Bois Negresse and additional funding for the church building in Hesse would help complete it with toilets and a service building or two. You might be surprised how little it takes to make a big difference.
Barry Borror, President & CEO
Ready to help: Donate Now
Keep informed with our news letter