Help Support a Wonderful Community Development Project
A way forward after Hurricane Matthew
How? . . . Organize and send a Volunteer in Mission team. We can help.
Join an existing VIM team – please scroll down.
Or — if you can’t send a team or join a team, but still want to help after
reading this – we will tell you how to make a donation.
Who?
The Haiti Partnership of the Upper NY and Susquehanna Conferences of the United Methodist Church is partnered with the Leon Circuit of the Methodist Church of Haiti (Pastor Claudel Zephyr, Superintendent) to work with the people of Leon toward recovery, development, and sustainability following the devastating Hurricane Matthew in October 2016.
Where?
Leon is the mother church on the Leon Circuit, located in SW Haiti, about 140 miles from Port au Prince. The church is surrounded by a mid-sized village along a large river 40 minutes south of Jeremie. A Methodist School of just under 300 students is on site and part of the Leon Church.
Why?
When Hurricane Matthew crossed the southern peninsula of Haiti rated as a category 4 with sustained winds up to 140 MPH, Leon Methodist Church lost its roof, the cooking area and toilets were destroyed, and the roof of the school sustained excessive damage. Through generous donations and the help of groups from South Carolina and Switzerland, the roof of the church has been replaced and the school roof repaired.
What’s next? What’s the project?
When Pastor Claudel asked what project we were coming to do, instead of stating a project we had in mind, we asked him:
-
- What is your dream?
- What do you and the people of Leon believe is the best way forward?
- What project will help develop the community, begin to move toward independence and sustainability, and possibly help support the school, as well as the Leon Circuit?
The response was to build a Community Ministry Center. It will include:
Phase 1 Complete
Across from the Leon School is an old abandoned building which served as the first church. Much of that structure is still sound and will be restored and reinforced.
Converting and Reinforcing old church Breaking Ground
New Foundation Finished Foundation Floor Ready for Walls
Phase 2 Complete
Ø A new kitchen – that can not only be a place to cook a hot lunch for school students, but could eventually generate income as a bakery supplying bread and other baked goods for local venders.
First Block Laid Half way up Walls growing
Finished Report for Phase 1 and Phase 2
Phase 3
Cistern and Water Catchment Complete
Ø A cistern to supply water – collected off the large school roof, and from the roof of the Center.
Ø A community meeting room – lectures, laity training, life skills, school programs, and much more.
Ø Second-floor housing and toilets – a place for the superintendent to stay on the circuit, for guests and program leaders to stay overnight.
Ø Toilets for visitors, school staff, and older students.
Where exactly? What will this cost?
VIM Teams needed –
VIM Teams are invited to participate. We can help provide contacts, advice, and additional information.
Housing is available by advance reservation on a Catholic Caritas Compound just a 10-minute walk from the worksite. Rooms are private and semi-private, many with private baths. Three meals are included for only $55 per day. Teams of 5 to 12 are welcome. If you have more than 12 people interested in a team, we could consider a double team – there are additional dorms available at Caritas.
Our goal is for each team to provide a minimum of $3500 project money. Once you team is reserved, this money should be wired directly to the Methodist Church of Haiti District (wire transfer info will be provided). Pastor Claudel will provide a copy of the receipt as verification when these funds have been received on his circuit for the Leon Community Center Project.
If you have trouble raising the full $3500, let us know and we will look for other teams/groups with whom you can combine efforts. [see contact info below]
If you cannot send a team, but still would like to support this project –
We can help you with this. The Haiti Partnership has established a dedicated fund for the Leon Community Ministry Center. Send any donations to
payable to “Upper NY Conference” –
c/o Alma Malikow, Treasurer’s Office
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
Thank you for any support you are able to give.
Contact Us: Need more info? Have questions? Ideas?
Feel free to contact –
Jodi Crimmel, Haiti Partnership Chairperson
crimmel04@gmail.com
(570) 881-0029
Mike Willis, Haiti Partnership Communications
mwillis1@stny.rr.com
(607) 240-7637