We wanted to share this plan with you. Boston Architect Paul Fallon, working pro-bono, drew this as a plan to replace the buildings lost in the earthquake last year. It will accommodate all our students, preschool through high school. The four “steps” on the right of the drawing are actually rooms and they are already built. The rooms in the back of the building have been started. The ground-level floor will actually involve some major excavation to dig out a basement area which will house restrooms, library, computer lab and the school’s administration. The first floor will house all the classrooms and the second floor will be the assembly hall.

Obviously, this building will be quite costly, especially since everything is being built to different specifications since the earthquake. We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago with several MOHI supporters who are willing to work together with Paul and ourselves to get the ball rolling on this project. It’s so exciting to see how much was accomplished in a short meeting. Each person went from that meeting with something to do to get this project going.

We will do our best to keep you updated from time to time on where things are at with this project. Right now, we are preparing a grant proposal with a great organization from Germany that has already shown interest in helping. We are working on cost estimates, time estimates, phase plans, etc. We already know that the grant amount will not build this entire building, so please consider how you might also help with the cost. It may be as simple as setting up gift matching with your employer…sharing our website with your friends and relatives…or visiting our donation page.

We know that when everyone does their part, the people of Grand-Goave will find a place to send their children to school without concern for cost. Each student at Mission of Hope International has the opportunity to eat a hot, nutritious meal while learning from a high quality staff and a Christ centered curriculum. Year after year, our students do better on their national exams than all the other schools in the area. Last year our students missed two months of school because of the earthquake. Yet they outperformed once again. These are the poorest of the poor, but they are able to progress and excel in school. They just needed to be given the chance.

Beyond providing an invaluable education to thousands of children, this new school will have a great impact on the Grand-Goave community. During times of emergency, such as hurricanes, the school will become a community center where people can seek shelter. It can also be utilized for big events, such as concerts, seminars and conferences. Grand-Goave has no place for such events.

We are excited about the many doors of opportunity the Lord has opened up for us to walk through. We are grateful for the wonderful friends and partners that have faithfully supported us through the years. And we are blessed by the new friends that HE has brought into our lives and ministry. Please, continue to share with your friends what Mission of Hope International is doing in Haiti. Encourage those around you to get involved. Step by step we will see more and more lives changed by working together.