On August 2, 2020, Ecole Agape’s school construction began. Friends of Ecole Agape partnered with Haitian Turbo System SA and three other contributors to provide funds for a new classroom building and the repair of Myrtha Manigat’s house. Haitian Turbo System is an information system engineering company established by CEO Carl Darbouze (husband of Marie Michele Darbouze, one of the two school administrators).
Original House Renovations
At completion, the bottom floor of the original house holds 3 preschool classrooms, a 1st grade classroom, a 2nd grade classroom, a computer lab, a director’s office, a small working kitchen, and a bathroom for the teachers. In addition, the library was refurbished with new windows to better protect the books.
New Building Structure
The new building site contains 4 classrooms for grades 3 through 6, with moveable walls for assemblies, holiday celebrations, and religious services. Students in grades 1 through 6 will now be able to attend classes from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Prior to the school addition, they had to wait to use borrowed space at the La Providence school down the street.
Additional Improvements
Friends of Ecole Agape members financed several additional independent projects for the school, including a sanitary block with 4 toilets, 2 sinks, and a shower, a water tower and pump, and a septic tank/system. The entrance was rehabilitated with a new gate and grading at the front of Myrtha’s house to prevent flooding and accommodate delivery trucks. A new free-standing kitchen was constructed. This provides for additional food storage and food preparation space to feed the approximate 200 students. Classroom benches, desks, and storage were designed and built by Haitian craftsmen. New blackboards were placed in the classrooms.
1st Annual Sponsorship Success
Thank you to all our sponsors who helped make this happen. Our first annual sponsorship appeal brought in 82 new sponsors to join our 34 previous sponsors. We realized over $20,000 in funds to maintain support of our students and school. Your ongoing support funds the only free school for girls in Haiti, giving girls a chance to make a difference in the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
Donations to Ecole Agape school can be made through PayPal Giving Fund here, with 100% of your contribution going to the school. You do not need a PayPal account to use this method. We also accept checks payable to Friends of Ecole Agape, P.O. Box 303, Ashford, CT 06278.