Welcome to Ecole Philadelphia!

December 2020 Update

December 2020 Update

So sorry to have let the website get so far behind! There is a lot of news to share, and most of it is good!

National Exam Results - We are extremely excited to report that 100% of our sixth grade students passed the national exam! We have had excellent results in the past, but this is the first time that every student passed. This result speaks to the quality of the education that students at Ecole Philadelphia receive.

Fish Farm - The fish are reproducing, with several basins now in production mode. The first harvest is expected in early April 2021. The biggest challenge we are facing currently is the scarcity and cost of fish food, especially the protein aspect of the diet. Fortunately some specific donations have been received that have helped to keep things on track.

Fundraising - Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the 2020-21 teacher salary fund is complete and the funds already in Haiti. We have a nice head start on 2021-22 as well. Since the first cash flows from the fish farm will be reinvested in its expansion, donations will be needed to carry us through until the second harvest at least.

Douglas Day Computer Lab - We typically update or trade out non-working computers when we have a team visit the school. Although we have not been able to make a visit to Haiti since January 2019, all 14 computers remain in operating condition. The computer lab is one of the most popular aspects of our school, and we are very thankful for it.

Playground Equipment - We want to outfit the school with some playground equipment, and have turned to Rotary in the hopes of a grant. Rotary has already provided most of our books, a well and cistern, and the solar power for the computer lab. They have been an enormously valuable supporter of our school. We hope to have word by end of April. 

Condition of the Hangar - Unfortunately no report is ever "good news only". The hangar, which is the structure where we hold most of our classes, is again in need of repair. Some of the boards on the back of the building are so rotted that people have torn them off and stolen some of our school furniture. We are raising funds to fix this problem as soon as possible.

This picture shows the poor condition of the back wall of the hangar. 

We are thankful for all of you who have made our success possible. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a truly healthy and prosperous new year!

News Update - May 2020

News Update May 2020

We are excited to announce a new project in cooperation with Rotary Club of Montgomery County (Virginia). Our school needs to replace many books due to a mandate from the Ministry of Education in Haiti, and Rotary will be matching the first $2,000 donated in support of this project, towards a total of $6,000 needed. To donate to this effort, simply click the Donate Now button on any page on our website and mark your donation as being for books. We greatly appreciate the support of Rotary towards this effort! 

For more information about Rotary, please visit https://www.facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Montgomery-County-124511180990381/.

We are also extremely excited to announce that on May 22, the first fish were released into one of the basins on our fish farm. These fish are called "geniteurs", which literally translates as "parents". In this case, they were mothers carrying eggs, which we hope will become many babies. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to purchasing and launching the farm. It has been a long journey, and we hope the time has come to realize some fruits from this project.

Plumbing

Farm Plumbing Nears Completion

February 21, 2020

After a long interruption in progress due to protests in Haiti, the plumbing on our fish farm is nearing completion. The plumbing allows us to connect to town water, since our stream is insufficient and the flow too irregular to have regular oxygenation for the fish. Hopefully soon, our waters will be teeming with fish! Stay tuned!