The Haiti Hope House Learning Center, Front and Right Side View of the Education Building.
Haiti Hope House Learning Center
For the first seven years, HHH has operated out of a “virtual house,” wherever we can find space, and when in Mizak, Rev. Aguilh has lived at a friend’s house.
It was not easy to find adequate space to conduct the training classes. Our goal has always been to build a safe facility where we can have meetings, teach our training classes, and where the community can have a library, and a media center, a place where the children can be engaged in continuous learning, especially during the Summer vacations.
Our vision for the future is that a Living Quarter would be built on the same site so that visiting teams of professionals invited to the Learning Center will have a comfortable place to stay when in Mizak. Thanks to the generosity of Rev. and Mrs Aguilh, a property was acquired in 2011.
In addition to the social and educational benefit of that project, the expectation is that it would have a major economical impact also by providing much needed work for the members of the community.
It was not easy to find adequate space to conduct the training classes. Our goal has always been to build a safe facility where we can have meetings, teach our training classes, and where the community can have a library, and a media center, a place where the children can be engaged in continuous learning, especially during the Summer vacations.
Our vision for the future is that a Living Quarter would be built on the same site so that visiting teams of professionals invited to the Learning Center will have a comfortable place to stay when in Mizak. Thanks to the generosity of Rev. and Mrs Aguilh, a property was acquired in 2011.
In addition to the social and educational benefit of that project, the expectation is that it would have a major economical impact also by providing much needed work for the members of the community.
The property was first fenced in barbed wire as we waited to raise enough money to begin the project. In September 2013, in faith, we broke ground, and started digging the foundation for a security fence that will enclose the entire property with a cinder block wall. However, we decided to postpone that to a later time, and concentrated on the construction of the Learning Center Education Building.
Soon after we started, we realized that before we can begin the construction of the Education Building, we needed to build a storage building. This will help us to reduce construction cost in two ways:
1) With a place to store the materials we can buy in bulk at a lower price.
2) Having the materials on site, we can save on the cost of transportation
that we would occur if we had to run to Jacmel, the nearest town,
every time we need something.
On the right is a picture of the storage building, in construction. The left part is the actual storage space, in the middle is a multipurpose room of reasonable size attached to it, with a smaller storage room on the far right. This will eventually become Rev. Aguilh's residence.
Soon after we started, we realized that before we can begin the construction of the Education Building, we needed to build a storage building. This will help us to reduce construction cost in two ways:
1) With a place to store the materials we can buy in bulk at a lower price.
2) Having the materials on site, we can save on the cost of transportation
that we would occur if we had to run to Jacmel, the nearest town,
every time we need something.
On the right is a picture of the storage building, in construction. The left part is the actual storage space, in the middle is a multipurpose room of reasonable size attached to it, with a smaller storage room on the far right. This will eventually become Rev. Aguilh's residence.
Besides the storage, we had to deal with the issue of water. It is very scarce in Mizak. So the solution was to also build a cistern, as is the case for most private homes, where we can collect rain water for the construction and other uses. Otherwise, we'll have to buy water by truckload, an expensive proposition.
A large cistern (pictured on the left) was built into the ground, under the storage space seen above.
This building which is totally independent from the Education Building, the original project, was completed early in 2015, and until 2016 was used exclusively for storage. It was only partially "finished" and the floor was not done.
In 2016, the decision was made to completely finish the two rooms next to the storage/cistern room, inside and outside. To do the floor, to fence in the porch, and to paint and furnish these rooms so that they can be used as a residence for Rev. Aguilh. No longer was it necessary for him to stay by somebody's house when he is in Mizak. He had his own living space on the Learning Center site.
The picture above shows the building as it currently looks.
Once the unplanned construction was done, we turned our attention back to the construction of the Learning Center Education Building seen below from the rear in early construction phase. It is a large edifice which when completed will include 8 rooms: 2 classrooms which will be separated by a folding partition allowing the two rooms to become one extra large meeting space when needed. It will also include a library, a media/computer lab, a regular meeting room, one large office, one medium size office, and one power/electrical lab room. It will be powered by a solar energy system backed by a gas generator.
Construction resumed in February 2015, a few days before the arrival of Rev. Aguilh. The walls went up and all the beams set in place and the building was ready for the next big phase of construction: the installation of the roof.
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This picture shows the Education Building in mid-construction phase viewed from the back. The rear exit/entrance can be seen on the right. The rear and right side windows can be seen as well.
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In addition to the roof, the next phase also included the installation of wrought iron doors and windows.
As it appears above, the building stood there for a few months. We had run out of money and continued to struggle to raise the necessary funds for the roof. It was estimated that we will need about $30,000 US in order to complete that phase.
Thanks be to God, and to some generous donors, including a grant from the Digicel Foundation, we restarted construction in December 2015, and as of March 2016, the picture below shows the Learning Center after we had put on the roof and installed the wrought iron doors and windows. We also built a security wall around the entire site.
The picture below shows the Education Building in its later stage of construction. In the forefront, on the left, is the storage/cistern building, and in the back the ongoing construction of the cinder blocks security wall around the campus.
This was a major milestone, but there were some other big tasks that needed to be completed before the building can be functional. Among other things,
We needed funds to install a Solar Energy System.
We needed funds to install an Internet Access System.
We needed funds to install a septic system and bathroom facilities.
We needed funds to "finish" (floors, wall, enclosure, interior doors and windows, paint, etc...) the building.
We needed funds to buy furniture, equipment, supplies, books, etc...
Thanks again to a special gift from Mrs. Aguilh and a few generous donations from other supporters, we were able to move a little closer to the finish line during Rev. Aguilh's trips in September 2016, March 2017 and October 2017. We were able to
"finish" the walls, inside and outside and get them ready for painting. We were able to paint the entire ceiling and do the floor. We were able to complete the septic system and install separate male and female bathrooms, including showers. And most importantly we were able to complete the electrical wiring of the entire building, and install the solar energy system.
Here are a few pictures showing where the Learning Center was at the end of 2017, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Aguilh and other supporters.
As it appears above, the building stood there for a few months. We had run out of money and continued to struggle to raise the necessary funds for the roof. It was estimated that we will need about $30,000 US in order to complete that phase.
Thanks be to God, and to some generous donors, including a grant from the Digicel Foundation, we restarted construction in December 2015, and as of March 2016, the picture below shows the Learning Center after we had put on the roof and installed the wrought iron doors and windows. We also built a security wall around the entire site.
The picture below shows the Education Building in its later stage of construction. In the forefront, on the left, is the storage/cistern building, and in the back the ongoing construction of the cinder blocks security wall around the campus.
This was a major milestone, but there were some other big tasks that needed to be completed before the building can be functional. Among other things,
We needed funds to install a Solar Energy System.
We needed funds to install an Internet Access System.
We needed funds to install a septic system and bathroom facilities.
We needed funds to "finish" (floors, wall, enclosure, interior doors and windows, paint, etc...) the building.
We needed funds to buy furniture, equipment, supplies, books, etc...
Thanks again to a special gift from Mrs. Aguilh and a few generous donations from other supporters, we were able to move a little closer to the finish line during Rev. Aguilh's trips in September 2016, March 2017 and October 2017. We were able to
"finish" the walls, inside and outside and get them ready for painting. We were able to paint the entire ceiling and do the floor. We were able to complete the septic system and install separate male and female bathrooms, including showers. And most importantly we were able to complete the electrical wiring of the entire building, and install the solar energy system.
Here are a few pictures showing where the Learning Center was at the end of 2017, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Aguilh and other supporters.
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This picture shows the outside of Learning Center Education This picture shows the solar panels installed on the roof of
Building after all the walls were finished and ready for painting. the Education Building. All eight are locked in a welded wrought
iron frame to keep them from being stolen.
Building after all the walls were finished and ready for painting. the Education Building. All eight are locked in a welded wrought
iron frame to keep them from being stolen.
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Additional protection is provided by walling-in the panels This picture shows the installation in the power
with cinder blocks. A small locked door is installed on the room. It consists of 16 batteries, an E-Panel, a
the high side for access under the panels for maintenance charge controller, a 4000 watts inverter, a main
and/or troubleshooting. breaker box and timer to control the outside lights.
This picture shows the Learning Center Education Building bathing in light. On the porch and all around the building, there is light
being produced by the solar energy system just installed.
We had taken a Giant Step toward the Finish Line, but we had other big tasks to complete before we can cross over it. Our hope was that the Learning Center will be completed in 2018 and as school opens for the 2018-2019 school year in September, that the Learning Center will be opened as well to the community, five years after the project began.
As it has been all along this journey, every time some funding was found, something was done. This pattern continues throughout 2018 and by the middle of the year, we had installed the heavy duty wrought iron security gate. The interior doors and windows were installed and the building was painted, inside and outside. More and more an early September inauguration to coincide with the opening of school appears to be possible.
During his early 2018 trip, Rev. Aguilh built the library, ordered classes' desks, purchased office chairs and desks and tables, ordered books etc... The inauguration is on for September 2 /2018. School is scheduled to open on 9/3/2018.
Here are some pictures depicting the final dash to the finish line.
with cinder blocks. A small locked door is installed on the room. It consists of 16 batteries, an E-Panel, a
the high side for access under the panels for maintenance charge controller, a 4000 watts inverter, a main
and/or troubleshooting. breaker box and timer to control the outside lights.
This picture shows the Learning Center Education Building bathing in light. On the porch and all around the building, there is light
being produced by the solar energy system just installed.
We had taken a Giant Step toward the Finish Line, but we had other big tasks to complete before we can cross over it. Our hope was that the Learning Center will be completed in 2018 and as school opens for the 2018-2019 school year in September, that the Learning Center will be opened as well to the community, five years after the project began.
As it has been all along this journey, every time some funding was found, something was done. This pattern continues throughout 2018 and by the middle of the year, we had installed the heavy duty wrought iron security gate. The interior doors and windows were installed and the building was painted, inside and outside. More and more an early September inauguration to coincide with the opening of school appears to be possible.
During his early 2018 trip, Rev. Aguilh built the library, ordered classes' desks, purchased office chairs and desks and tables, ordered books etc... The inauguration is on for September 2 /2018. School is scheduled to open on 9/3/2018.
Here are some pictures depicting the final dash to the finish line.
Above, the painters are applying the first coat of base paint to the outside of the Learning Center Education Building.
To the right this picture shows the main hallway of the Learning Center Education Building. It extends from one end of the building to the other. It has three entrances, two in the front and one in the rear of the building. The hallways are painted lemon yellow and the rooms are painted blue. All ceilings are painted white. |
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In the picture below Rev. Aguilh is at the early stage of construction
of the media room. He is installing L brackets that will support the all around table for the laptops, printers and the router. |
In the picture below, Rev. Aguilh is in the early stage of
constructing the library. He is using 4x4 L brackets to mount the library support planks on the wall. |
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The picture below shows the library shelves on the right side of the library. Because of the entrance door, there are slightly less shelves on the left side. Four large readings tables have been ordered.
The picture above shows a partial view of the two classrooms with their new desks freshly polished. A look to the right and to the left will reveal the folded partition which ordinarily would be closed to separate the two classrooms. In preparation for the inauguration and the meeting with the parents, when a greater space will be required, the partition is opened, and the two classrooms become one very large size room, and all the desks are turned in one direction.
The picture above shows the completed Learning Center building as we prepare for the inauguration, five years after the project began.
We still have work to do, including landscaping, and finishing and reinforcing the security wall around the campus.
We have however opened the Learning Center to serve the community. We need to buy more books to stock up the shelves of the library. And though we still have some residual construction tasks to complete, we are, for all intended purposes, moving from construction to operation.
This means that additional staff is needed to oversee the operation of the media center as well as the library. Additional staff is also needed to protect and maintain the site's grounds.
Since the inauguration, and the opening of the Learning Center to serve the community on 9/2/2018, we have done some necessary work, mainly landscaping for safety purposes, and we have installed an outdoor, in-ground cistern in order to capture/manage the large quantity of water coming off the roof of the building. The cistern is between the two flower beds in the background in the picture below. Not only was the amount of water large in volume, it was coming down with such a force that it was causing an erosion as well as a safety concern. Please see the picture above as well as the second picture below.
Yes the Learning Center is in operation, and Yes we still need help to keep it in operation.
Right now our most pressing need is funds to buy books. We have a good start, but we have a long way to go as you will see when you visit the "NEWS" page.
Please help us stock up the library.
DONATE HERE
We also still have to do some work on the security wall around the campus as mentioned above. We have to roughcast the cinder blocks, and tied them together with a belt of concrete on top of the entire wall to keep it from crumbling under severe stress condition.
Please
DONATE HERE
In order to raise funds for the operation of the Learning Center, Rev. Aguilh has published a book of poems and matching pictures titled:
HAITI, Cries from the Heart, Lamentations of a Son
It is available in all bookstores, and can also be purchased on this website
Please go to the On Line Store page.
All proceeds are dedicated to the Learning Center Operating Fund.
THANK YOU
FOR
YOUR
SUPPORT
Right now our most pressing need is funds to buy books. We have a good start, but we have a long way to go as you will see when you visit the "NEWS" page.
Please help us stock up the library.
DONATE HERE
We also still have to do some work on the security wall around the campus as mentioned above. We have to roughcast the cinder blocks, and tied them together with a belt of concrete on top of the entire wall to keep it from crumbling under severe stress condition.
Please
DONATE HERE
In order to raise funds for the operation of the Learning Center, Rev. Aguilh has published a book of poems and matching pictures titled:
HAITI, Cries from the Heart, Lamentations of a Son
It is available in all bookstores, and can also be purchased on this website
Please go to the On Line Store page.
All proceeds are dedicated to the Learning Center Operating Fund.
THANK YOU
FOR
YOUR
SUPPORT