We would like to express our gratitude for the support you've shown over the last year to Be the Power of One. Without this support, and your encouragement, throughout the year our efforts would have been much more difficult. This last year was eventful, exciting, gratifying and in some cases exhausting. Our August trip to Pignon allowed us to see some of the reconstruction progress that has been made in Port-au-Prince. The presence of heavy equipment loaded with rubble was evidence that the clean up was in full swing. On the outskirts of Port-au-Prince we saw the construction of new home tracks being built. We are sure this must be a welcome sight for Haitians who, after almost two years, are still living in tents. It was very good to be back in Pignon. We felt more at home and much less anxious about what adventures this trip would bring. We did have plenty of adventures involving travels over Haiti’s wicked dirt roads but those stories are for another time. It was great to see old friends and to meet many new ones. We continue to be amazed at the hospitality and friendliness of the Haitian people. We were blessed this year with six young men that helped us with the students. Their assistance was invaluable. By the end of the week we had well over 200 young students in a single classroom. We could not have managed without their help.
Here is a listing of what your collective support was able to provide:
1. Drilling of a well on the school property including a secured cinder block housing. Major support came from Oakhurst Sierra, Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise and Tracy Rotary Clubs.
2. Outdoor recreational equipment, craft supplies, toys and personal hygiene items for the students at the summer program.
3. Several hot lunches for the 200 summer school students
4. Four large boxes of miscellaneous school supplies; pencils, crayons, paper, paints, dictionaries, rulers, staplers and staples, folders, etc.
5. Christmas shipment of 100 gift bags for student plus small gifts for school staff
6. Construction of school desks for two classrooms
7. School uniforms for students
8. Three sets of textbooks for each classroom
9. One year’s worth of workbooks for primary grade classes
There are probably some things we missed on this list, even so this is a tremendous amount of work completed. We are very grateful to you, as is Pastor Carsel and the students and families of Pignon. 2011 was a good year with so much accomplished.
We look forward to expanding our efforts in 2012. We would love to drill another well with the help of Haiti Outreach (they are amazing), and we’re looking to support a second school. We are currently setting up a college scholarship program to benefit some of the young people who are anxious to further their education. It costs about $1,500 per year, including books, tuition and travel expenses, to attend University in Haiti, and this is well beyond the means of most families there. We also hope to expand our Send a Student to School program with a goal of 100 donors by year end. This program is based on the idea that it only takes $10 per month per student to support a school and is an affordable way to make a big difference.
These are big plans we have that will take the efforts of many people. We ask for your continued encouragement and support. Please know that whatever form or amount your support comes in it will be put to good use.
Thanks so much !!
Tim and Susan Madden
