I just got off the phone with Sister Fidelis who is currently in Pestel (down by the seaside where she can get cell phone reception. There is no cell phone access at her house up in the mountain). There is some very good news to report:
The school benches for the village of Toma Elli have been built! I'm going to plan to visit that village on my next trip. The community donated a bunch of lumbar for the project, reducing the costs! They asked that some of the money go toward building a door for the school to protect the benches (from being 'borrowed'). What a great community! This is also the same village that received some teacher salary support (that arrived in time for Christmas!!). A very eager and committed group of people. These self-sacrificial teachers continue to teach despite receiving very little compensation, and the gift to help them with their salary was a thrill for them!!
I mentioned that Pestel received grant funding to help build a new clinic in Abriko. Well, there's more! The villages received funds to help build a new school in Abriko (see video below), build a road to Desye (see video below), develop a trade school further up in the mountains, install a wall on the island to protect from flooding, a grant to develop animal husbandry, and a few other things.
In financial terms we're talking well over $100,000 worth of grant funding that is going to Pestel!!
Now tell me THAT isn't just awesome! I asked Sister Fidelis if this kind of thing happens every year, and she replied that this was the first time to her knowledge it has happened.
Also, dovetailing with this: I received a news bulletin that stated the World Bank (who is funding these grants to Haiti) will be giving another large amount ($30 million) to Haiti to be used for these community-development projects. So if/when the villages successfully complete their projects there will be a very good chance that further funding is available for future projects.
I am so excited to share how God is working in Pestel. God is good, very good, and that He is doing a great work in Pestel to show His goodness and compassion.
May God be praised for His goodness and compassion that He extends to each of us, and that is so evidently being displayed for the people of Pestel.
That's a good way to start this New Year!
Ben
My Blog
http://haitimedical.blogspot.com/
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