St. Gregory's and St. Marie Madeleine Parish in Bondeau, Haiti have been companion parishes since 2003. Our parishioners have generously reached out in love to our sisters and brothers at St. Marie Madeleine. We provided a new Toyota 4 wheel drive double cab pick-up truck for use in the parish in 2004.

In 2007 the new nine-classroom school with principal's office, latrines, and cistern were built, thanks to the driving efforts of Jim Turner and the Haiti team. The dedication of the new school was on April 21, 2007. St. Gregory's parishioners responded to the needs of the students by providing new student desks, teachers' desks, classroom equipment, and student supplies.

St. Gregory's has a long-term commitment to St. Marie Madeleine Parish. We continue to pay the salaries of the school teachers and will begin a hot lunch program in the near future. We make frequent trips to visit and stay in communication with the rector, Pere Lazard.

St. Gregory's beloved Jim Turner who so graciously and effectively managed the Haiti Parish Partnership passed on to eternal life before he saw his efforts come to completion. Jim's spirit is with us and with the people at St. Marie Madeleine Parish in Bondeau, Haiti and, with God's help, we will carry on Jim's vision.

Children of St. Marie Madeleine Parish look forward to attending class in the new school.

Update September 2007

St. Marie Madeleine Parish is growing into a vibrant community. Over 200 children registered for school. St. Gregory's parishioners graciously provided new student desks, teachers' desks, school equipment and supplies, church supplies and lunch. Corn and squash plants are growing in the schoolyard.

Father Lazard celebrated a joyful Eucharist service when the Haiti team visited in September.

Goals for 2008 are:

1. Build a kitchen complete with propane or solar stoves, cooking utensils, and storage space. Provide a hot nutritious meal every day to the students.
2. Purchase two lots of land contiguous to the school property for agriculture development.
3. Develop a women's empowerment program.
4. Plant fruit trees and moringa trees on the school property.
5. Build a multi-purpose building to serve as a community center, women's work area, and other needs as they arise.
6. Promote creative fund-raising events such as estate sales, garage sales, and silent auctions.
7. Begin a child sponsorship program.
8. Take small teams every 6 or 8 weeks to Bondeau.
9. Use local labor in the development plan, providing jobs to St. Marie Madeleine parishioners.

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