Anis Zunuzi School Growth
Interview with Street Kids
Video Project Notes – After the Interview
by Ruhi Zandra
“Let me see,” said Mackenson. He didn’t want to be in front of the camera anymore. So I stepped away and he came around to look through the viewfinder – I showed him where the controls were and he immediately focused in on Sue and Yves Puzo, the founders of Annex Anis Zunuzi, and then tilted forward to see if he could catch their dog Sadie on video.
Sue told me that most of the children who came to them and asked to go to school had no where else to turn. Many of the 30 children who now attend Annex Anis Zunuzi found getting proper rest while living on the street was near impossible. Rather than have them fall asleep in class, with modest means they rented several rooms for the children just across the way from their own home. Local Haitian volunteers assisted in making the transition from 'living outside' to 'living under one roof' more peaceful by helping them cook together and showing how to keep things clean. Yves pointed out that the children had to learn to go from being alone to being with others who were concerned for them.
Joey was watching Mackenson work with the camera and wanted to try. “My turn. My turn please,” he said and put his hand on the lens to center the image. He began pointing the camera at the trees and toward the sun – zooming in and out. Some of the boys started to dance and sing to get his attention. At that moment I noticed Oslet, with his backpack on, was sitting quietly – waiting for the interview to continue. "Sak pasé…?" he asked, which means 'what’s happening?' or 'how are you?' in Haitian Creole. Jean Luc laughed a little as I responded "Ma boule..." – 'good' or 'everything is all right' –
It was time to point the camera in their direction again, so they settled down and the tone became a little more serious. This week they finished painting the tiny rooms which will serve as their classrooms.
Sue, Yves, and I consulted about what to ask them. Cristoff, one of the volunteers, was also there to lend a hand. The topic was ‘school’.
To read more about Anis Zunuzi school in Haiti please click here.
October 2009, Narrative from the Road: Mona Friends Visit Haiti
I remember Haiti!
The first thing that strikes me upon arrival at Port Au Prince airport is how beautiful the people are. I mean six out of ten Haitians can come to the US and make it big as models. And of course, on the way from the airport to the hotel what shocks me to the core of my being is the poverty, desperation and absolute chaos of Port Au Prince.
I don’t like to dwell on the negative but unless people get a picture of the struggle, there will be no real appreciation of what some angels are doing in that tiny country that has been suffering for several hundred years. I have not witnessed such poverty anywhere I have visited in the world! You can easily tell there is absolutely no infrastructure in the country, no roads, no commerce, no real jobs. You see piles and piles of trash on practically every street and wonder what the resulting pollution does to the health of the people and particularly children.
One friend mentions that the average life expectancy here is 52! While I heard a very small percentage of the population is made of millionaires, I feel more than 95% are below poverty level. The entire city looks like a big slum. On the sidewalks all you see are scores of individuals with a few items spread in front of them for sale. These vary from used clothes and shoes to snacks, soft drinks, sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, motor oil, etc. Looks like most people make money through bartering. You get the feeling that the country does not have any major agriculture, industry or commerce!
The traffic in Port Au Prince is totally chaotic and of course every time there is a jam several young kids, equipped with rags run to the car and ask for money with their desperate, innocent eyes while cleaning the windshield. You wonder if these are street kids or they have a home to go to! We heard from our friends in Haiti that many of them in fact are street kids because they are abused and beaten by the adult members of the family. Therefore, they prefer to live on the streets on the little money they make. Another site that catches my eyes is a few areas where beautiful Haitian paintings with vivid and bright colors, iron work and pottery are sold on the streets.
Our hotel is at the good part of the capital. It is the best hotel in town with a nice lobby, a good restaurant and very basic, old but clean rooms. You see mainly foreigners in the hotel. Many of them work for foreign aid agencies and the United Nations. I don’t think there are any tourists in the country even though the natural beauty and the calm, blue ocean are comparable to the best resorts in the world. Many of our Haitian friends mention that all the aid coming from the UN and other NGOs is really not doing much due to the corruption inside and outside the country. According to one person who is in the field, lots of people are getting rich on account of the Haitian people! That is when I wonder: Is there a solution to this seemingly unsolvable mess?!!
Early in the morning of the first day we drive to Sue and Yves Puzo’s home, the humble, soft spoken angels who visited us in LA not long ago. They live in a small, simple home that puts me to shame about the lifestyle I have here in the U.S. Since last year they have started a school for approximately 25 street kids at their home. Fifteen of them live in a house the Puzos are renting right next to theirs. Three adults/teachers live in the same house. The students’ ages range from 10 to 15. Many of them have never been to a school. They teach 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades in the house. Those who can pass the test for higher grades are sent to Anis Zunuzi to continue their education. They use Zunuzi’s curriculum, an important part of which is moral education.
One thing I notice about all the children, here or at other schools is how outgoing and happy they are! Most of them are very inquisitive to know strangers and start interacting with you without hesitation. Of course, we have a loving group who reaches out to the children despite the language barrier. The visitors fascinate the kids by taking pictures and sharing the results with them. Rainn has an amazing ability to connect with the kids through body language and his talent as an actor! Everywhere we go he starts playing with the kids and makes them laugh! It is wonderful to have him in the group. Of course, all others are as loving and engaging.
Later, Sue joins our group to drive to Anis Zunuzi. The school is simple and clean on a large piece of land that was donated by a wonderful Persian family in the 70s. The students who range from kindergarteners to 12th graders are dressed in nice, clean uniforms. Again, the children follow and joyfully interact with everyone. Rainn joins a group of boys who are playing soccer and becomes their goal keeper. The rest of us visit the new buildings that were recently completed with the help of Mona Foundation. They now actually have flushing toilets and showers, an indoor kitchen and two additional classrooms. In the next three years we are hoping to help them build an indoor dining room, a computer room with new computers and more classrooms.
We take a tour of the different classrooms and are overcome with emotions when we get to the two classrooms that were built in the memory of the beautiful 28 year old woman Nai Karimi-Manesh who was tragically killed in a car accident two years ago. Her amazing mother, Carelle is in our group. It is difficult not to cry. I am in awe of the strength of Carelle who has turned the most devastating experience a parent can have to positive action in service to fellow human beings. She is truly an exceptional woman and throughout the trip shares all the other wonderful things her family is doing in Nai’s memory. The school director (his name is: Rubintrop, we call him Rubin) and staff are all Haitian and amazing people. They are totally dedicated to the education of Zunuzi children. We sit down and consult with them on their plans for future. They treat us to a beautiful lunch and we get to know each other better even though most of us don’t speak a word of French and their English is not perfect!
In the afternoon we bid good bye to Zunuzi and travel to New Horizon, another school supported by Mona and founded by a loveable French man named Bernard who has lived in Haiti for forty years. He came to Haiti for a visit and never left. He is the director of the French hospital in Port Au Prince and lives in a humble house on several acres of property near Port Au Prince. He lost his daughter and wife a few years ago and since then has become a part of Rubin’s family. He, Rubin, Rubin’s wife, 4year old daughter, 2 year old son and mother all live in the same house. The cute two year old boy called Sharaf doesn’t like to be separated from his adopted white grandfather, Bernard. Bernard carries him everywhere and keeps kissing him on the cheek. It is the most endearing sight you can see. This is proof that family is where the heart is and even if you lose your biological family you can share the same kind of love with others.
After the recent hurricanes, the people of surrounding villages approached Mr. Bernard and asked him to do something for the children as there were no schools nearby. He founded a non-profit organization named New Horizon, got the seed money from the French Embassy in Haiti and built this beautiful school on his property. Currently, they have four beautiful classrooms. Mona Foundation is helping him build more classrooms in the near future. He shows us his grand plans for the future of the school. He is a very methodical and detailed person. He is planning to add classes, build a gymnasium, a pool, a basketball court, a theatre in the next few years. The teachers are very well educated and overall, this is going to be a top notch school in Haiti. The highlight of our visit is the kindergarteners’ performance for us! They sing a song in English that says: Hello my friend, hello. How are you? They keep repeating the same verse loud and clear, with pride and big, bright smiles. They are absolutely adorable! I keep thinking if my wonderful friend Aimee were here she would want to adopt a Haitian child!
The next day we pick up Sue, Yves and Rubin to drive to George Marcelleus School which is in a remote village four hours from Port Au Prince. Three four wheel drive SUVs follow one another on a road that is eighty percent unpaved. Even the areas that are paved have so many potholes that they may as well not be paved! The bumpy ride takes us through a couple of smaller cities and several villages. We see the same poverty and chaos in the cities. The villages are generally made of rows of shacks on both sides of the road.
Mr. George Marcelleus built this school in the village he was born as a service to his community. There are no other schools in the area. George Marcelleus died a few years ago and a wonderful man named Mr. La Fortune took over as the principal of the school. The school is made of four dark, small rooms that are separated by partitions. In the morning they hold classes for kindergarten to 3rd graders and in the afternoon they have classes for 4th to 6th graders. The Karimi-Manesh family is making a donation to build two more classrooms so that they can have full day classes for all grades. The school cannot accommodate all the village children. I hope with the help of Mona Foundation the school can grow to provide the opportunity for all the village kids to have at least primary education. The school staff is planning to start vocational classes so that the students can learn a skill to support their families after 6th grade. At this point, secondary education seems like an impossible dream for the children at this remote area of Haiti.
Here again, everybody starts playing with the students. At some point, the students are laughing so loud at something Rainn has done that some of us run to where he is to see what is going on! A young man from the village brings fresh coconuts for everyone. The coconut milk is very refreshing in the hot humid weather. Afterwards, we are treated to a delicious lunch of rice, beans and vegetables. In a place where most people don’t have enough to eat such hospitality is overwhelming! We sit under a tree for consultation. An elderly, gracious woman joins us and we are told she is the lady who donated the land for the school. Later, an old man with a hunched back comes close and we find out he was a close friend of George Marcelleus. He gives a beautiful talk about how important education is for his people. They are all so proud of the school. I am truly inspired by the deep dedication and understanding of the staff in the field of education and development. They don’t need anyone or any group to tell them how to educate their children. We are only here to be partners and hold their hands in this journey. After the consultation, we bid farewell to George Marcelleus and head back to Port Au Prince. We will be leaving Haiti tomorrow morning.
The past three days have been extremely emotional. Witnessing the poverty and hopelessness on the streets on one hand and the dedication of the administrator of the four schools and the hope I see in the eyes of the children on the other, create mixed feelings in me. I can’t stop thinking, what is the difference between these beautiful children and my children except the accident of where they were born! As always, I am convinced the only thing all children need is opportunity. They all have the capacity to be educated and serve their communities and all we can do is to provide the opportunity for both moral and academic education. One without the other is not enough.
My final thoughts are about the amazing people I shared this experience with. During the past 6-7 years working with Mona Foundation I have met some incredible people and developed close friendships with each and everyone. I think of this blessing as icing on the cake! How else would I ever have had the chance to know people of various nationalities, religions or races who deeply care about their fellow human beings?
Meeting and becoming friends with people like Britt and Esther, professional women working for Avanade and Microsoft who from the first few moments in the Miami airport impressed me with their intellect, passion, enthusiasm and indiscriminate love for all.
Becoming very close to a jewel like Tina, a physician and mother of two young children who is deeply caring, unpretentious, smart, sacrificial and comfortable with all.
Becoming closer to Gouya and Payam, a couple who at a very young age are proactive in making a difference in the world and know their goal in life is more than just having a comfortable life.
Getting to know Farhang, a young man who has taken the time from his family life to better understand and get more involved in development. Sharing talks with Carelle, a mother who despite the grief of losing her beautiful young daughter is dedicating her time to education of other people’s children.
Spending time with Holiday and Rainn, who humbly and unpretentiously are dedicated to their belief and calling to make the world a better place.
Wonderful Duy-Loan, an amazing woman I have known for several years and can write about several pages, who brings her sons on these trips to share the experience with and whom I love and respect deeply.
And finally, what can I say about Mahnaz, my dear sister and mentor who encouraged me to get involved with Mona Foundation and to whom I am for ever grateful for this privilege. Would I exchange the pleasure of counting these people as my close friends with any other experience in the world? Certainly not!
~ Sima Mobini
2009, Narrative from the Road ~ A recent visit to Haiti opens hearts
Dear Friends,
One vital activity of the Mona Foundation is that of visiting the projects we support. Regular project reports are sent to us for review, but there are always things that cannot be expressed on paper that we will miss if we don't see them with our own eyes. Things like what happens to your own soul when you personally encounter the nobility of the human spirit in individuals who live life under almost unbearable circumstances. Development is a process, sometimes a long one. However, there is no pleasure greater than witnessing personally that what we are doing together is actually making a difference in the lives of others; that what we do does mean a lot to many people, and that what we learn from them through this process, is invaluable. My recent visit to Haiti reminded me once again of this principle.
Though others from the foundation had gone to visit Anis Zunuzi recently, it had been nine years since my own last visit to Haiti. Much had changed. The UN presence was heavy and hotels were packed by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) who were there to 'do something' for Haiti. Many drove big four-wheel drives and stayed in nice, very expensive hotels, the price of which has quadrupled because of the presence of so many foreign aid agencies. They were all discussing what to do to help Haiti at the tune of $1M/day expense to the UN. In short, there were many well-meaning individuals running about trying to make a difference.
What had not changed, if one looked around, was the general welfare of the people. Sidewalks jammed with people sitting around cluttered mats, trying to sell a few small items - used shoes from the US (apparent by the labels), a little fried banana, a couple bottles of coke, a few cans of soup (I am sure given to them by relief agencies but not suited to their diet) - hundreds of people lining the dusty, pot-holed sidewalks of Port Au Prince. It seemed that only a few were buyers who paid a penny for this and a penny for that leaving one wondering how people actually survive. During our entire week the same individuals sat in the same place, dawn to dusk, hoping a buyer would give them something or barter something they could use to feed their families. There were also those many young, sweaty little boys, between the ages of 6 and 12, who ran along side the traffic, cleaning windows and mirrors with a filthy cloth when cars stopped at a light, hoping for a few pennies as reward. I never saw anyone simply doing nothing.
In nine years, little had changed. There is as much daily uncertainty and anxiety now as there was then, as much poverty as before, and as much need for the most basic human needs like clean water, food and sanitation. It seems that foreign aid has a way of landing in the pockets of a few, corrupt officials rather than the intended recipients.
It is not surprising then that when the members of the SG Foundation (previous grantors of this project and who came along with me for this visit) were so stunned by what they saw at Anis Zunuzi School in Port-au-Prince. The well-maintained buildings, 300 happy children playing on the expansive grounds and a clean, well-organized school stood in sharp contrast to the loud, dusty streets on the other side of the school boundary wall. The all-Haitian group of administrators, who have been with the school for years, humbly walked around with us, answering every question and let us experience what a real "social and economic development project" looked like. Some of the visitors came as skeptics but upon leaving, called Anis Zunuzi a "haven."
This project is making great strides. I believe this is so because the school is now entirely run by Haitians who know themselves, their culture, and know how best to take the school to the next development level. I had great meetings with the Administrators, their Board, and most importantly with their Engineer, Mr. Bernardo. He gave a full tour of the grounds and showed us the new kitchen that we were able to fund through a Bridgeway Foundation grant. We saw locations for the next classrooms, the dining room, bath/shower rooms and the new kindergarten building. With Mr. Bernardo now in place and completely committed to helping Zunuzi with these additions, I have no doubt that they will meet their construction deadlines by end of the summer.
The highlight of my trip, however, was the visit to "George Marcellus" school, located in a remote village of the Artibonite Valley, about three hours jeep ride from Port-au-Prince on bumpy roads. It is also incredibly poor, and inhabited by a noble people. The village is devoid of everything. There is really nothing there except a few parcels of land which are cultivated, a couple of skinny cows and some goats, or that's it. People call little huts built with woven sticks, home. When we arrived, we parked next to a very old, tall tree. Five men, each thinner than the one beside him, leaned against the trunk of the tree, staring listlessly. Next to them was a little hut, with another five people crouched on the dirt in front of their hut, also listlessly observing. One man was busy weaving palm fronds to make a sun shade for his hut.
And then there was the school, the only place in the entire village where the kids showed signs of life and were playful. George Marcellus, after whom this school is named, was a native of this village. He educated himself, became a pillar of the community and before his passing gave this piece of land for a school. Two of Zunuzi's school board now live in this town and teach at the school.
As with Zunuzi, George Marcellus is a haven from the abject poverty of this world. It is a square parcel of land with three cinder block rooms and that is it. Nearly 80 children attend this school, all who upon our arrival chorused in Creole, "We are the drops of one ocean, the leaves of one branch." Each room was crowded with wooden benches with 4-5 kids sharing each one. There was no blackboard. No books. No school supplies. Just five great souls who were courageous enough to be the teachers in this far off village, 80 children, some with mismatched cast-off school uniforms, some with rags on their backs, and an old man, who followed us wherever we went. He wanted to be sure that we saw how the village looks up to this school.
We were taken to one of the classrooms where the children had assembled. Sweat poured off everyone's faces in the tropical heat, but no one moved until the children finished their several beautiful songs. One of the students read a poem they had composed for Mona Foundation and the teachers each welcomed us and pointed out the five chairs and two big benches that they had built with the funds that Mona had provided them through Zunuzi. I was speechless. I did not know what to say but managed to mumble a few words on behalf of our board that how proud we were to be a part of this effort to support the education of the children, and that we were committed to support them in building two more classrooms.
Then the teachers let the children go and play outside and we sat for a consultation. They had, of course, sent their proposal for support through Zunuzi which we approved in our board meeting, but I was moved to ask them one by one what they thought was the most urgent need of the school. Each of the teachers asked for school supplies and more support for the teachers (current salary of $50/month) except one. Mr. La Fortune, who is also member of Zunuzi Board, looked at me, looked down at his shoes and paused for a moment. Then he raised his head and with a face that I will never forget said "the children are hungry." This stopped me in my tracks. What do you say to a proud, noble man who could earn much more teaching in Port Au Prince but chose to live and work here, where he was needed, and who cared enough about the children to swallow his pride and trust a stranger with a request for food. What do you say? I answered that we will do all we can to help connect them with one of the relief agencies. Later I was told that the village is too far from the city and no agency was willing to commit on a delivery that far away. So the kids go hungry and will until someone hears their silent cries. We need to work with other agencies in Haiti on this as their need is ongoing and these 80 children need to be fed.
I left this school and the country feeling 200 times more committed to our work than I have ever been. Knowing how such a little makes such a huge difference, knowing how this partnership matters to so many who sacrifice everyday to make life better for hundreds of children, propels me to tell and share these stories. This is not only to support them but also to demonstrate to other agencies in Haiti who have worked so hard for many years with little evidence of success that in the end only Haitians will be able to develop and change Haiti for the better. No amount of goodwill, grants, money or "human resource" support will be able to address the myriad of problems in that country unless schools such as Zunuzi or George Marcellus raise the ethical leaders needed to lead. These new leaders will put the interests of others ahead of their own; serve their own country from a place of sacrifice in the service of the common good of all. We have the moral responsibility to support them in this journey.
I came away trusting in my heart that we at Mona Foundation are really not supporting simply schools or education. Rather, we are participating in the process of building a revised world, based on the principles of justice and compassion in which service to others is a way of life, no child will go hungry for food or love, and no war is fought because of corrupt governments.
Now we will take one step at a time.
-Written by a member of the Mona Foundation board
Note: After their visit the members of the SG Foundation generously committed 10K for the Mona Foundation 2009 commitments to their projects in Haiti.
2008 CAFT Training Held
In the summer of 2008 all the teachers at the two satellite schools and at Anis Zunuzi attended three week summer curriculum training with a generous grant from Vista Hermosa through CAFT. Please view the CAFT Program in full in its own program section on this website. Anis Zunuzi school is becoming an example for others to follow in a country in desperate need of educational leadership and positive moral direction.
2008 Teacher Training
Many other teacher-training opportunities were made available to Anis Zunuzi teachers such as English, French and computer lessons, cooperative learning training and additional instructional technique classes. All of these training opportunities enhance the general quality of the school and help to make Anis Zunuzi an exceptional institution with a very well-trained dedicated staff.
2008 Materials Translated
Translation of a science and math program purchased from Macau and training in its use for primary teachers was another of the teacher training opportunities made possible by Mona Foundation supporters last year. In addition, classes were held in use of Montessori math materials and training in implementing a new science program was also held.
2008 Site Visit and Growth Report
Three members of the Mona Foundation made a site visit to Anis Zunuzi School in March, 2008. Many changes were evident since the Mona Foundation's last visit five years ago. We found Anis Zunuzi School to be an oasis of tranquility, set on lovely treed acreage, surrounded by flowers, plants and gardens. The hallways were enhanced with potted plants and students moved about happily from class to class. Students obviously loved being at school for when we visited on the last day of school, they remained there to talk and play in the yard. 
Outside the compound walls the village was dusty, noisy, busy and littered. The feeling of peace and security inside the school area was tangible. Compared to the many 'start-up' schools in the neighborhood, Anis Zunuzi's well-established and growing academic and moral development program is superior. This school has grown to serve 220 students in both morning and afternoon sessions in grades kindergarten to grade 10. Next year grade 11 will be added to continue developing the academic program, serving students at that level. The plan is to graduate the first high school class in June of 2010.
Competition with 'schools' who offer programs at less per month than Zunuzi can, is taking away students regardless of the quality of these alternate programs. The tuition at Zunuzi is already as low as it can be ($30.00 US per month) and still it is not enough for the school to progress without outside assistance. Months before the end of every year, many parents stop paying their monthly fees. 45% of the parents end up without paying the full year's fees so the school always ends up short. The school takes in about 20% less than the budgeted amount and though the teachers are paid their small salaries, there is nothing left for curriculum development or building improvements. They feel they couldn't have made the school grow without Mona Foundation's scholarship and other financial help.
Security is a major concern in Haiti but thanks to recent grants, steel bars on the windows and installation of steel doors in several classrooms and offices have increased security of the school. Last year generous supporters made it possible to make structural improvements in many areas. The main building now has steel doors and iron bars on the windows of four classrooms and the library. These measures were necessary after two break-ins caused loss of materials and a fire which created a lot of damage. Three water tanks, repairs to toilets, repairs in the pre-school classroom, repairs to the director's aging house and five solar panels for operating the computer lab were all improvements made this last year. Support for the moral education program with books for 100 students and some art supplies for the summer school program were also made possible.
Satellite Schools
Pont Benoit School in the Artibonite Valley is a school of 80, K-4 village children, started by a group of 11 youth who organized themselves to serve the village children. These volunteer teachers have almost nothing to work with other than a skeletal brick building-no electricity, no water, and few supplies or material support. Their three requests during our consultation were for more teacher training, doors and bars on the window openings, and for some nutrition and water for the children.
Nearby, the George Marcellus School had three teachers and 41 students, K-4. Last year Mona Foundation supplied doors and window coverings so the security was better at this school. But their other concerns were the same as the Pont Benoit School.
2006 New Courses
A series of lessons were prepared by teachers to educate all concerned about nature and to promote a harmonious relationship with the environment. Teachers have also been provided with a second training workshop on Cooperative Learning. With simplicity and humility, a skilled young moderator artfully led the participants to see that all classes could participate in this form of learning. He wisely used the arts to enhance the academic learning and to create a fun environment. Comments from some of the particpants include, “It has become my preferred method of teaching. I have learned that when one decides together, there is greater chance of success.”
After the new moral education courses were completed, a garden program was begun and the students have been excited to plant peanuts, ocra, carrots, tomatoes and beans. A third training session about the Arts and Trades was provided in April.
2005 New Programs
The students have been given training in the use of solar ovens. Gardening plots have been developed using old tires to contain the earth so that it is not washed away from heavy rains. Local vegetables: okra, carrots, and green peppers have been planted by the students and experimentation into successful methods continues. Pre-youth materials have been purchased and used. Internet service continues. The cantine has been subsidized as planned. A sound system was purchased for the school and is saving the school money and rental costs. Publicity pamphlets have been distributed, and murals on the outer walls redone. A summer camp was held for 5 weeks with 63 children in attendance. The program consisted of French, Spanish and English classes, remedial work in math and science, computer lessons, cooking, civics, sports, films, games and songs. The students prepared a lovely celebration at the end with dances and music using the new sound system. Security measures have been installed. Iron doors were completed as planned, after thieves had stolen the main computer from the office. Further measures have also been taken to prevent people from sawing off the padlocks.
2000 School Supplies Sent
Thirty one 5th grade students of Hockinson Intermediate School in Brush Prairie, Washington come to aid Zunuzi. These wonderful students put together 3 boxes of school supplies including some laboratory equipment for Zunuzi School in Haiti when their teacher and our wonderful advocate, Mrs. Judy Person, brought the school's needs to their attention. It is our plan to further connect these two schools via the Internet after the technology lab is put in place in Zunuzi. This is their story as told by Judy:
“One day in our fifth grade math class, we got derailed from the usual computation and calculating onto a very interesting subject. A discussion began about how very RICH our country was, and how we, as its citizens were among the most fortunate citizens of the world. Because the class in composed of ten and eleven year olds, their life experience is limited, making them naturally curious about the rest of the world. In leading a discussion of this sort, it is important not to make student feel superior and unduly arrogant, but to increase their awareness and their ability to do something, however small, about the inequities in the world. After about fifteen minutes of talking about various places in the world, I shared with them a place I had heard about in Haiti—Zunuzi School. Here was a school where students had to PAY to go to school, and that amount per month was what here in the US would be spent on just a video or a shirt. They immediately wanted to know what they could do to help these students with their education. They decided to help by sending a few supplies to the school. Within two weeks, there was three large boxes of paper, pens, crayons and many other things any student anywhere would find interesting and exciting piled in the back of the room. The kids themselves were delighted! They found it exciting to be meeting a need and making a difference, however small. As we took the picture for the website, one of the boys remarked, ‘This was fun! Can we do it again?’ The spirit of giving and sharing these young people have really inspired me. Given the chance, and a little information about a need, kids can be creative and caring for sure.”
Our efforts are continuing with this school. Three boxes of school supplies gathered and contributed by Hockinson Intermediate School's 5th grade class of 31 students, Brush Prairie, Washington, and their wonderful teacher, Mrs. Judy Person, were shipped to Zunuzi on March 2nd. Also, through the kind consideration of Mrs. Pat Feltin, President of Eaton School of Bellevue, two boxes of Montessori school equipment were donated and shipped to the school on the same day.
We have already shipped them a brand new HP printer. The school has also provided us with their list of priorities as follows:
- Teacher training (Mona will provide)
- Curriculum development (Mona will provide)
- Scholarship assistance at $20 a month per child (230 students). Mona has so far provided 4 scholarships and is in the process of providing additional two.
- Expansion of cafeteria to offer subsidized lunches to 130 students. Estimated budget $5,000.
- Construction of new toilets and transformation of the existing ones to make space for a computer room. Estimated budget $5,000.00. Equipment is on hand and ready to ship.
- Development of a vegetable and fruit garden to produce food for lunches. Volunteers needed.
- A 4x4 double cabin vehicle for the school(s). Estimated budget $10,000.
- Completion of the work done last year in 2 schools in the provinces including the overhang that will prevent rain from falling inside. Estimated budget $2,000.
- The ironwork that will close the school building to intruders. Estimated budget $2,000.
- Fund Producing Ventures: Renting the school facilities during non-school hours after improvements have been done. Planting the school garden to produce food for student lunches and generate extra funds. Volunteers Needed. Renting the computer lab, and offering adult learning programs, once the lab is in place.
- Volunteers and year of service youths who could help in the following areas: administration, creation of teaching materials, curriculum development, gardening, beautification of the school yard.
top1999 First Visit to Haiti
Patrece Banks and Mahnaz Javid visited Zunuzi School on December 19th through 22nd as planned. We were moved by the spirit of selfless sacrifice of its school board, directors and administrator, and came back with our hands full of ideas and plans.
Nothing replaces person to person contact in the work of this Foundation (All expenses were contributed). Haiti is a very poor country which has experienced 7 revolutions in the past twenty years. Such political instability has drained the school of its human resources and has forced them to close down their vocational program. The fruit and vegetable garden has gone unattended, and the Montessori Kindergarten has hardly any equipment. They only have 8 hours of electricity and running water per day.
The school services a very impoverished population in the suburb of Port-Au-Prince, and the students cannot afford to pay even the $10/month tuition they have had to charge in order to keep the school operational. And the students are hungry. The school tries to serve a nutritious meal (Rice and beans) for 30 cents a meal, but only 30 out of 231 students can buy food. The rest go hungry and have difficulty concentrating.
But the school board and the directors are committed to this social economic development project and their other two satellite schools serving even poorer population in the provinces, and they keep serving without respite. 
Although their needs are great and grave, we are determined to help them. We have adopted a two-prong approach to assisting this school.
Short Term Plan:
Provide them with a HP printer for their office to increase their administrative efficiency. Thank you Patrece Banks once again for your generous contribution. This Printer has been ordered.
Long Term Plan. We will assist them in the next two years with:
- Staff development support for secondary school.
- Staff development support and equipment for Montessori Kindergarten.
- Expert agricultural support to develop their vegetable and fruit garden.
- Expanding the cafeteria to offer lunches at perhaps 10 cents per meal.
- A 4x4 vehicle to serve the satellite schools on dirt roads.
- Relocation of bathrooms to the outside to make room for a computer lab.
- Equipment and technical support for the a technology lab.
- Staff support for the library.
- Community Outreach program.
- Integration of Arts and Music in all program.