Provide daily meal to 300 school children in Haiti

Despite the challenges faced by CIMA School of Hope and Haiti during the past year, Sonje Ayiti looks forward to the 2021 -22 school year.

Sonje Ayiti is continuing all efforts to provide the school meal program by maintaining a school garden where vegetables are planted and harvested for use toward the school meals. While this is a great help, other nutritious foods necessary for childhood growth and development continue to be scarce or inaccessible due to a lack of funds.

There are an expected 300 new and returning students in September for 1^st through 9^th grades. Unfortunately, the lack of sponsorship, other funding, or life circumstances have resulted in the inability of some former students to continue their education. Sadly, many of the 300 children with bright, hopeful, and eager faces may not otherwise be fed as the school meal is their only hope to eat during the day because the risk of famine has escalated.

Despite significant odds against them, excellence was proven by the following students in the 2020-21 school year.

Alixon A. (1^st grade); Jovenel Z. (2^nd); Joveline E. (3^rd); Lourdes-Jimna E. (4^th); Chergekin J. (5^th); Rose Daline S. (6^th); Emmanuel Z. (7^th); Wislene C. (8^th); 9^th grade graduates Williamson L., Wislin C., and Judson F.

Earlier this year, some of the students expressed both their gratitude and concerns about their futures. While their concerns primarily centered around the ability to continue education, they expressed thanks to CIMA School of Hope for the opportunities and services provided including tuition, supplies, training, meals, and a positive learning environment.

Links:

• 9th Grade Students at CIMA School of Hope

Sonje Ayiti reopened CIMA School of Hope on November 3rd to the hopeful faces of 296 children.

Unfortunately, the efforts to raise funds to provide a daily meal to the students have been unsuccessful. As a result, the program to provide this basic sustenance to school children is in severe jeopardy. There are many children who may not otherwise be fed, and this school meal is their only hope to eat during the day.

The risk of famine has escalated in recent months. This is due to the continued devastating economic conditions resulting from COVID – 19 and US currency fluctuations.  Prices for common and basic goods have significantly increased in Haiti.

Sonje Ayiti has continued its efforts to maintain the school meal program by maintaining a school garden where vegetables are planted and harvested for use toward the school meals. However, other nutritious foods necessary for childhood growth and development continue to be scarce or inaccessible due to lack of funds.

At the time this campaign was initiated in July 2020, the cost to feed 300 children was approximately USD 32,000 for the school year (10 months). As of this report, the estimated cost to feed the 296 enrolled students is approximately USD 38,000 for the school year.

Sonje Ayiti is currently overwhelmed in its efforts to find ways to offer some type of a basic meal during the school day to CIMA students.