PHILIPSBURG – The Rotary Club of St. Maarten Mid-Isle was very keen to help when Hurricane Matthew ravaged Haiti. When they heard of the plight of the school children, they realized this was the area they wanted to help out in.
At least 100,000 children will not experience the joy, safety and stimulation that being in a classroom brings. Minister of National Education in Haiti Jean Beauvois Dorsonne said school had resumed in many areas, but more than 100,000 children had been unable to return to classes because their schools had been damaged, destroyed or converted into temporary shelters.
UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Haiti Jean Metenier said, “We need to get them back to learning as soon as possible. Hurricane Matthew took away their schools, homes and textbooks. It shouldn’t take away their sense of hope.”
The Rotary Club has donated US $4,000, which the members have donated and pledged to District Governor-Elect 2017-2018 Robert Leger from the Rotary Club des Cayes Haiti, who was visiting St. Maarten with Rotary International President-Elect Ian Riseling 2017-2018, to help with the repair of a school in Haiti.
Mid-Isle will help build the EcoleCommunautaire de Charpentier, which was badly damaged during Hurricane Matthew, including completely losing its roof. All Rotary Clubs on the island are in close contact with Rotary Clubs in Haiti, and are coordinating the relief efforts.
The Rotary Club of St. Maarten Mid-Isle meets Tuesday at 7:00pm at Mary’s Boone in Simpson Bay. For more information contact rotarysxm.mi@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page Rotary Club of St. Maarten Mid-Isle.
