EASTER

A very happy Easter to you. May the Risen Lord be your strength in all your difficulties; may He be your inspiration to love more dearly. May Almighty God keep you in the palm of His hand. In the name of the children here and the staff, have a Happy Easter!

Jethro is 12 years old and has been on the street for a very long time. Both his parents are deceased and he's been coming here for months to eat with us. He finally moved to Castel-Pere yesterday along with Jackson. Jethro is twice the age and size of Jackson. No one will push Jackson around while Jethro's near.

A photo of Jackson before he warmed up to us. His Mom died a few months ago and no one could care for him. He moved in with us yesterday. 

This is Marcia, Virginie's little grand-daughter. She's been hanging around during Easter vacation just to be with Nana. 

Doctor Danielle Mutty (here she is with Mickenson), her husband, Dr. Larry Mutty and their grandson are with us for ten days. They are vaccinating the kids and checking for HIV. Thank you, Danielle and Larry, for your time, patience and concern. 

Here's JaRoro's father working (well, actually posing for the photo) on the trim for the second floor of the Quad. We've started putting in metal, louvered windows which were made locally. There's still the kitchen, the dining room, the showers and WCs to go but it won't be too long now. 

Construction Update

Where to begin? These photos give you an idea of the progress we are making at Castel-Pere. The Quad's second floor is more than halfway finished. It will be great to have the facility open and running. Visitors and volunteers will have a clean, safe and comfortable place to live right where all the action is.
The carpenters' shop is a dream come true and we are indebted to Father Balthazar for his donation that makes it a reality. It will have a metal roof but will be well ventilated so it shouldn't get too hot in there.
The latrines for the school are ready for a metal roof as well. It will be a relief for all of us when it is done!!

Another row of blocks and we'll have new latrines for the school which is pictured on the right.

Walls and windows are done on the new carpenters' workshop. We are waiting on the roof and the new doors. Soon, very soon we'll have a great place for the older boys to learn carpentry and cabinet-making. 

Check it out

Our Arts and Crafts' folks are doing some amazing things these days. Please click on the link for KonnysKorner on the right to see the creativity of our young participants. All money received goes into the Arts and Crafts' budget to purchase more material, buy new tools, provide income for the artisans and, more importantly, it gives them a sense of pride and dignity. Our friend, Connie Basso, makes it very easy for you to purchase items and support our work. CHECK IT OUT at Konny's Korner by clicking on the link. Thanks.

Sad news

I am sorry to have to report that little Marckenji Altenor died earlier this week in nothern Florida. Please keep his Mom and Dad, his entire family in your prayers.

No, you're not seeing ddoouubbllee. Jameson and James are twins and our most recent boys. They were living near the local jail, not attending school, scrouging for food. They are anxious to be living at the village of Castel-Pere where they will go to school, eat on a regular basis and make a ton of new friends. 

Here's a cool pix of the school latrines (foreground) and the new Carpenters' Workshop. The old mill is in the background. Nick took this fine photo from the roof of the school. 

How's this for progress? This is the Quad from the kitchen side. Dining room, kitchen and small bathroom will be situated behind that curved wall. Showers and toilets will be right above. Yes, you heard right-- real, modern day, indoor plumbing. Three cheers for the plumber and Brother Edmond. 

Wondering how the chicks are doing? Take a gander for yourself (oh, such fowl humor). That's Jean-Renel Lucien holding a couple who are doing very well. Jean-Renel and Moliere are the two teens learning the ropes. Soon they will be training others. 

Happy Birthday, Berthony

Today Berthony Piard, our Director, turned 35. We had a surprise party for him at Castel-Pere and it was a huge success. Hugs and kisses abounded. There was singing and dancing all in honor of Berthony. May God bless you with many more happy birthdays, Berthony.

Matante, Denise Vendredi, giving a hug to the man of the hour. Much of the success of Pwoje Espwa is due to these two. May God bless them both! 

Jean-Marie congratulates Berthony. Do you get the impression that Berthony enjoyed this little party? 

Yves and Tama presented Berthony with some token gifts from the children. Carol is seen giving Tama a little help. 

What's a party without some bubblies? Here's Harry doing the honors while we all look on. 

Vladimir Bienaime and his baby brother enjoyed the singing and festivities this morning. 

Meet Jonathan. Nine year old Jonathan ran away from home after his mother held a burning coal to his cheek "to teach him a lesson". We talked with the mother and she expressed her frustration at not being able to control her son. She agreed to let him come and stay with us at Castel-Pere. Physical abuse of children is quite common here which explains our presence. 

Wolfsons Children's Hospital and St Boniface Foundation are source of Hope for this child

MarcKenji Altenor sleeping like an angel in a hotel room in PaP while his paperwork to go to the US for emergency surgery is being processed. Nick says "5 month old Marckenji has a tumor which has caused him to be hydrocephalic, a build up of water on the brain. He and his mother Rose are in Jacksonville, Florida at Wolfsons Children's hospital. They arrived late last night and Marc was immediately admitted. He is getting an MRI done today and there is hope surgery will start Monday or Tuesday. Elyse Baird from The St Boniface Foundation Hospital in Fond des Blancs flew with them. We thank St. Boniface Foundation for their great help in finding the treatment and for sponsoring the trip. My prayers go out to the little guy and the mother, Rose. It was very upsetting for her. She was overly thankful for everything we did for her, but as she had to leave behind the twin Kenji and a 5 yr old here in Cayes, she cried most of the way to the airport. In the short two days I was with the family I grew quite attached to little Marc, just glad I could be of some help to the little guy." Nick accompanied the family to PaP to help with the necessary paperwork to acquire a medical visa. Your prayers for little Marc and his family are appreciated.