Being from the Northeastern United States, I am well accustomed to four seasons.  However, when you consider the seasons of life, seasons of success and joy, seasons of pain and loss and dozens of other life occurrences, the idea of a season takes on a completely different meaning. When speaking of climate, the distinction in seasons between the Northeast and Haiti, range from quite similar (Summer) to drastically different (Winter).  But when considering the economy, job growth or the opportunity for children to be educated and become successful individuals, it becomes clear very quickly, that without assistance, Haitian children will one day join the ranks of the unemployed with little hope of living a life we so often take for granted.  Hearing the call, I was honored to be included in the team that traveled to Haiti in May 2014 to begin the work of building a new school in Pont Leocan, located about 2 hours north of Port au Prince, just north of St. Marc.  This first trip was to lay footers and build as much of the block building as possible.  Haitian workers would resume building until we returned to add the roof, doors and chalkboards to the 8 classrooms.

From May 2014

Pont Leocan May 2014Work begins

1- Vern and Dick layout the foundation 2-Haitian workers dig out earth to proper depth (not accomplished by the hired equipment operator)

3- Footer progress  4- Blocks are laid  5- A wall rises

Haiti 3

1- Jim leads the team pouring concrete 2- Vern and Dick keep us straight, level and plumb  

3- A sudden downpour halts work for the day 

4- Test positioning a roof purlin  5- The team with Haitian workers 

From June 2015

Pont Leocan 2015The work resumes

1- The building with purlins on the Western side  2- Chalk boards  3- 3'x22' Steel roofing  

4- our 500 gallon shower held up by 3-2x6's

Pont Leocan 2015

1- Richard with Pastor Olney  2- Our interpreter and friend Been Valcin 3- Completed Steel roof with plexiglas sunroof  4- 2015 team (minus 3)  

5- Keith, engineer and fearless leader  6- Walt makes handy use of our wheelbarrow 7- Interior of classroom with wall modification

8- School is in session  9- Me...tired, filthy and very happy!

Haitian children At the end of the day, this is the main reason we went to Haiti...for them.