The teachers of Lafond School are lodged in the Meance family home to facilitate travel. LaFond School, located 3,500ft high in the mountains south of Petit-Goave, Haiti, serves over 300 students from Lafond and the surrounding area in grades K-6. The population of roughly 1500 people served by the LaFond School lives in a rural environment rich in culture yet extremely impoverished in terms of av
ailability of resources. Aside from academics, the school provides electricity to more than 30 households from their houses. The school also sponsors a nurse who has educated families about how to protect themselves against cholera and regularly distributes water purification tablets. Founded in 2003 by siblings Bertin, Emilie, and Jacques, Marie, Ghislene and Wilbert Meance, the school's mission is rooted in the belief that education is everyone's right. The Meances were born in Lafond and, even after attending international universities and launching careers in their fields, they still felt a pull to their home town. Discussions with the community showed that the best way the Meances could serve LaFond would be to start a school because they could not send their children to school
When the devastating 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, Lafond School's first site, funded mostly by Tennessee supporter Janet Clodfelter, was destroyed. In the wake of such tragedy, however, the Meance's have begun a new chapter in LaFond School's history. With the generous help of international organizations such as World Connect-US and CAPANAMUR-Germany, LaFond School now has 11 brand new classrooms, bathrooms, and an administrative office. Finally, students can again attend class in a comfortable environment that maximizes learning. These new developments are very exciting for the school and its surrounding community. LaFond School families feel an incredible sense of pride in the school and are thrilled at the opportunities it provides to their students. However, the school still has a long way to go. Lafond School currently relies heavily on personal donations to pay their teachers, buy supplies, and fund student scholarships. General costs at LaFond School:
• Cost of tuition for one year: $12.50
• Cost of a school uniform: $25.00
• Cost of textbooks: $25.00
• Monthy teacher's salary: $150.00
LaFond School is a thriving, exciting place for learning. Adults in the community also have the opportunity to learn about health, agriculture, English and literacy. We are thankful for its many supporters. In the future, the Meances hope to see LaFond School grow into a model of sustainable development and education in rural areas. How can you help LaFond School?
• Donate directly to LaFond School. (Visit the website below or email Emilie Meance for information about donating via check.)
• Organize your school, religious group, or community to raise money for LaFond School.
• Sponsor the reconstruction of a LaFond School family’s house.
• Visit LaFond School.
• Volunteer to teach English or other skills to the children of Lafond. For more information and to discuss the many ways you can be involved with LaFond School, contact Emilie Meance. ([email protected]) in Haiti or Marie Meance ([email protected] or [email protected])
