Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Durissy was founded in 2002 as the only school in this mountainous area. The school is on several acres inherited by Father Anis from his mother. He grew up in this community. He gave this property to the community for use as a school, community center and church. There are about 400 children served by this school. When the school began, the students carried a chair from home to use at school each day. Many children walk 1-2 hours each way to attend class. Because of the lack of good roads in the mountains, some of the dedicated teachers and support staff, arrive at school on Monday morning, stay at the school all week, and then return home on Friday evening.
The current main school building was constructed in 2010 with some of the funds provided through a grant from the cell phone company, Digicel, after the earthquake. This two-story, well-built school serves upper elementary and secondary students. Benefactors from Wisconsin, Iowa, Florida, and Indiana have provided additional space, equipment, and materials. Textbooks are shared. There is no electricity to cool the classrooms or to provide light.
Preschool Students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Durissy
On the same property, about a half mile from the secondary school, is the building that houses the preschool, kindergarten and first grade. It is constructed of wood scraps, tarps, and rusty metal. There is no plumbing or electricity, and the roof leaks. Here five classes, a total of 80 young children, and their enthusiastic teachers practice the basics of life skills, reading and math, often drawing letters and numbers with sticks in the dirt because they lack paper and pencils. Currently, about 60 children in Durissy are recipients of tuition and textbook assistance through Educate Haiti sponsorships.
Most of these rural families, whose yearly income averages $100, cannot afford the yearly $5 cost for the daily rice and beans lunch. Nevertheless, every day every child is served a hot bowl of food, partly through donations of the United Nations’ World Food Programme and Educate Haiti, Inc. None of the families here can pay tuition. However, when there is work to be done on the facility, local grateful volunteers are proud and eager to assist.
