“MERCI” FOR OUR SCHOOL
Gressier, Nov 15, 2016
Students who gain one of the 850 highly prized places at the school in Gressier can count themselves very lucky. Although most are poor, the parents pay a school fee for the privilege. They very much appreciate not only the educational opportunities, but also the daily hot meal provided for their children – which isn’t always a given in Haiti. The company relief fund – WACKER HILFSFONDS – funded the reconstruction of the school in Gressier after the terrible earthquake of 2010 and has covered the school’s running costs including school meals since 2011.
When Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti in early October this year, the island nation was struck by a natural disaster once again. Broad stretches of agricultural land were destroyed. Food supplies have become scarce and there is a threat of a cholera epidemic due to a lack of clean drinking water. The school in Gressier was fortunately unharmed by the hurricane. It contributes to the food supply by keeping chickens and growing bananas and citrus fruit; in the medium term, there are plans to raise cattle as well.
Gressier is located on the coast, 25 km southwest of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The children here come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of them are orphans and street children, who receive grants so they can attend school. Since there is no other way to get a decent education in Gressier or the surrounding area, families are willing to pay school fees – roughly 15 euros a month. That is a lot of money in Haiti, where half the population has to live on less than two euros a day.
The Gressier educational center includes a kindergarten/preschool, elementary school and secondary school, including a boarding school for 80 students. Child care is provided during the school vacation, which can last as long as two months. The children really enjoy their lessons because they sense that this is their chance to leave poverty behind and lead independent lives. Several school-leavers have now started vocational training or a university course. The school’s long-term goal is to set up its own vocational training center for bricklayers, tailors, electricians and IT specialists, as well as a driving school.
Its project partner in Gressier is the “Don Bosco Mondo” aid organization, which since fall 2016, has been bringing food, clean drinking water and building materials to those regions devastated by the hurricane.
If you’d like to help, here is the WACKER HILFSFONDS donation account at Bayerische Landesbank München:
IBAN DE59 7005 0000 0003 3333 33
BIC BYLADEMMXXX.
Please note your name and address (personnel number for employees) on the bank payment forms and the purpose of your donation as being “Haiti.” The fund will issue donation receipts to employees resident in Germany, as the donations are tax-deductible there. WACKER’s relief fund thanks everyone for their support.
Contact
Wacker Chemie AG
Public Affairs
Joachim Zdzieblo
Tel. +49 89 6279-1165
Email joachim.zdzieblo@wacker.com
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