|
 Pere Kesner
Gracia
displays new church sign
On
June 2, 2009, I met with Pere Kesner, spending the afternoon and evening at
Bondeau. At the main road from Miriguan, there is now a sign for the Parish of
Ste Marie Madeleine, Episcopal, Anglican, Bondo, Miriguan! An additional sign
will show the school and church.
School is still in session, until late June
or early July, depending on the rain season. The school building needs much
repair to the floor in some class rooms, some doors are off their molding, and
all needs to be painted. The trough to catch rain for the cistern is not in
place. Many of these projects can be undertaken during the July mission visit.
The
report for the 08.09 school year will be provided after the year is concluded,
this will be important to see.
During the summer, the feeding program will
continue, and there will be summer school. St. Paul's should communicate with
Pere Kesner as to the food sent, as he has some ideas of change for the
summer.
 Young women are eager
to learn
sewing skills.
The sewing program training is in full swing.
There were 19 in class on my visit including the teachers. They would like to
have a room dedicated to this project so they can leave their materials between
classes. This may be possible by dividing the church space now, but will be a
opportunity when the new guest house is completed. The class also requested the
possibility of classes in cooking.
The
infrastructure development is well underway to complete the thoughts that Pere
Kesner brought to Boca Raton in February. Most of this will be completed by the
time of the July visit. Each project is covered separately.
Land has been purchased, and some is still
in negotiations. More land than anticipated was acquired by the careful
negotiation of Pere Kesner. Significant land behind the school building, and
land from the main road to a parcel just North of the school, and going from
the road to the school to the dry river bed. This will provide significant
exposure to the main roadway which is to be improved by the government. The
entire driveway from the street to the school is now owned.
Drilling for water is now scheduled for
June 8, next Monday. Great update news, the drilling was successful. The well
is located near the road, and a hand pump will be installed so people passing
can pump water. A electric pump at the school will provide water to the school
and guest house. A 300 gallon storage tank has been purchased as part of the
"kitchen" monies and will replace the 125 gallon tank originally installed in
the tower built at the time the school was built.
 New
generator will provide electricity
for the church and
school.
The
generator has been installed, and a house for it has been built. A covering and
a security gate are yet to be completed. Electricians were on site installing
yard lights using the trees on the property and the school building. Power
lines will be installed underground to connect the generator to the inverter
battery and electric uses. Approval to purchase the inverter was given,
however, we need to raise $5,300 for this purchase. One donor has pledged half
of the cost. The electricians will install and connect the batteries and
inverter for the same fee agreed for their work which is covered in the
"kitchen" money discussed below. The generator will be powered with diesel fuel
that will be purchased and stored in two 55 gallon drums. This is the same
procedure used at St. Paul's Petit-Trou di Nippes.
Kitchen supplies are being purchased. A
commercial three burner stove is ready to install in the school kitchen once
remodeled to accommodate it. A home four burner stove with oven is ready for
use. Both will have large propane tanks and the proper connections. For
immediate use, the "store room" is being converted to a guest kitchen and
eating space. This will use the home stove, and have the freezer and
refrigerator set up along with supplies. Smaller supplies are being purchased
by the "ladies" in the local market. Due to the necessity to put new (good used
ones) tires on the truck, Pere Kesner purchased five tires and used money from
the kitchen money for this purpose. Plans for the July trip were discussed.
While the number of missionaries is not yet set, we talked about 6 to 15 as
possible. He advises that people stay in Bondo. He will provide tents, and
visitors should bring blow mattresses, sleeping covers (remember it will be hot
even at night, but should be a breeze), pillow, if needed, towel, personal
items and a plastic plate. Deacon Anita will discuss the items to bring on the
trip in a group meeting before the trip. There should be lights at night, at
least one toilet and three showers in the school building, and water either
from a new well. Drinking water will be provided as bottled water in sufficient
quantities for all during the visit. Three meals a day will be provided in the
visitor kitchen and cafeteria.
 Site for the
new Rectory
and Guest House.
Work on the new guest house is progressing.
The plan is to begin by building the foundation for a two story building, but
completing only the first floor. The first floor will have toilets and showers
for guests, 5 guest rooms that initially can serve as space for a rector, site
manager and woman's trade learning center and guest space. There will be a
guest house kitchen cafeteria and toilet for guest house use. With approval to
begin the project, the foundation was in the process of being laid out by the
engineer, and assistants from Port Au Prince. The location is significantly
behind the school building to provide separation and privacy. Depending on the
weather, the project should be completed for the first floor by the third
quarter of 2009. The future rectory will be located next to the guest house,
and will share a common wall. Other than location planning, nothing will be
started on this at this time. The start of the Guest House has been funded with
a gift for this purpose. The expected cost of the first stage is $50,000, and
the project will be funded through the Partnership Program Episcopal Diocese of
Haiti. With the completion of the guest house, there will be needs for
equipment and supplies for the guest house that will require further fund
raising.
The
concept of micro lending was discussed. Foncoze is a provider of micro lending
in Haiti, and Pere Kesner uses them at St. Paul's with success. He believes
that Bondeau can begin a micro lending program, suggesting that it might be
established directly without Foncoze. This subject needs additional discussion
and plans to get it off the ground and funding.
The
budget year for Bondeau is the academic year which begins in September. A new
budget should be established for Bondeau. There will be some new budget items
such as diesel fuel for the generator and operating cost for the truck.Ideally
this meeting would be before September and the start of the year. While this
does not fit with the budget years for St. Gregory's, and probably not for our
partner parishes, we should discuss the process and timing of the operating
budget. Pere Kesner will come to Florida to enter into this process at our
request. |
