HAITI HOPE HOUSE
a better future through education and vocational training
PO Box 292 Orange, NJ 07051
www.haitihopehouse.org
a better future through education and vocational training
PO Box 292 Orange, NJ 07051
www.haitihopehouse.org
Our Mission Statement
The mission of Haiti Hope House, Inc. is to seek opportunities to help educate Haitian children, and train young adults in marketable skills in partnership with existing organizations and local communities in order to equip them for a better future and give them hope.
In This Issue:
Keeping the Power On 24/7
Summer Vacations Are Around the Corner
One Step Closer to Inauguration Day
Contact Us
The mission of Haiti Hope House, Inc. is to seek opportunities to help educate Haitian children, and train young adults in marketable skills in partnership with existing organizations and local communities in order to equip them for a better future and give them hope.
In This Issue:
Keeping the Power On 24/7
Summer Vacations Are Around the Corner
One Step Closer to Inauguration Day
Contact Us
Keeping The Power On 24/7 Rev. Aguilh
Last September, we activated the Haiti Hope House Solar Energy System. It is expected to provide uninterrupted electrical power to the Learning Center for a very long time, provided that it is properly maintained.
And when we talk about maintenance, though a periodic check of the other components of the system such as the Combiner, the Charge Controller, the Inverter, or even the Surge Protector (lighting arrester), and their associated cables and fuses is important, we are really talking about the scheduled maintenance of the solar panels, and specially the batteries and their cables.
Last September, we activated the Haiti Hope House Solar Energy System. It is expected to provide uninterrupted electrical power to the Learning Center for a very long time, provided that it is properly maintained.
And when we talk about maintenance, though a periodic check of the other components of the system such as the Combiner, the Charge Controller, the Inverter, or even the Surge Protector (lighting arrester), and their associated cables and fuses is important, we are really talking about the scheduled maintenance of the solar panels, and specially the batteries and their cables.
This picture shows the panels wired in series and parallel strings connected to the combiner on the roof, with the SPD
The panels produce the DC voltage that charges the batteries. These panels are exposed to the elements, and the amount of power they produce may be reduced if they are covered with dust, birds’ dropping or other sun blocking dirt. Part of the scheduled (at least once a month) service of the system includes washing the panels clean.
As for the batteries, the most important part of their maintenance is to ensure that each cell (each battery has three cells, and the system has 16 batteries) has the correct amount of water, and to top them up as necessary with approved distilled battery water and not with any other type of water. The terminal must be checked for any sign of oxidation and loose connection. All oxidation must be washed away using baking soda and all terminals greased.
As for the batteries, the most important part of their maintenance is to ensure that each cell (each battery has three cells, and the system has 16 batteries) has the correct amount of water, and to top them up as necessary with approved distilled battery water and not with any other type of water. The terminal must be checked for any sign of oxidation and loose connection. All oxidation must be washed away using baking soda and all terminals greased.
This picture shows the charge controller and the E Panel where all the inside connections are made. On the right is the main breaker box, and the timer which controls all outside lighting. The batteries and the inverter, in the corner, are also shown.
An hydrometer is also used during all scheduled maintenance to measure the specific gravity of each cell’s electrolyte. Based on the specific gravity, we can determine the acid density which correlates to the state of charge of the battery. The value must be recorded and compared with previous readings in order to determine if there has been any deterioration in the charging capability of the batteries.
In this picture Rev. Aguilh is servicing the batteries during his last trip.
That is what is required to keep the power on 24/7.
In this picture Rev. Aguilh is servicing the batteries during his last trip.
That is what is required to keep the power on 24/7.
Summer Vacatioins Are Around the Corner Rev. Aguilh
We too often hear the question that nobody could ever answer “where has the time gone?” It seems like it was yesterday that I was writing about another September and another school opening. We were sifting through the countless number of applications received for entrance in the Haiti Hope House Education program. Of course there were more applicants than we could admit and a great number of them ended up on the waiting list, hoping that they might get in in 2018.
When the dust settled, we had a total of 102 children for the 2017-2018 school year, including 25 new admissions. Though we would like to have more children in the program, our budgeted limit was 100. The last two hardship cases were added at the last minute. We had one drop out in mid-September and ended up with 101.
It is already April and we are talking about Summer vacations. Some of the children who are in schools such as the congregational schools are currently taking exams for the 4th marking period. They will have one more set of exams to take for the 5th and final marking period. Some schools with only four marking periods are getting ready for exams next month. One thing that is certain is that by the end of next month, beginning of June, all the children will be out of school with most of them having nothing to do, nowhere to go until school reopens in September.
This is why completing and inaugurating the Haiti Hope House Learning Center, with its media room active, and its library well stocked is so important.
I have no way of knowing what the final outcome will be for the 2017-2018 group at the end of the school year: how many will pass, how many will fail with a chance to repeat the class, how many will fail with no chance to repeat. The final grades report I have shows 21 failures out of 101 in the program, about 20%. Of these, 7 could repeat without penalty, if they stay where they are, or could well make a big push at the end and score enough to pass. Many are in the 4 and below group and may be on their way out of the program.
One encouraging sign is the fact that all the newcomers are scoring passing grades, with many scoring 7 and above. That tells us that the new admission procedures we implemented last September are working.
This picture shows the children from the school “Centre de Formation Classique Baptiste Bethanie” who are in the program, with the school Principal Michelet Celestin crouching in front, the Administrator, Pastor Pierre Jean Robinson on the right, and the HHH Liason, Fernand Isidor on the left.
All five of these new children in the program have scored high passing grades ranging from 6.57 to 7.76 so far this year.
Congratulations to them, their teachers, Principal, and Administrator.
One Step Closer to Inauguration Day Rev. Aguilh
It is almost five years since with very little money but armed with our faith and a vision, we began this audacious project known as the Haiti Hope House Learning Center.
The Learning Center is intended to be an oasis in the Mizak community where learning can continue to happen in a safe environment when the doors of the schools are closed, specially during the Summer vacations as I mentioned in the previous article.
It is designed to have the first and only public library in the community. It is designed to include a media/computer room and make access to the Internet possible without a half hour motorcycle ride to Jacmel, the nearest town to a cyber café. It includes two classrooms where vocational training can take place not just once or twice a year, but on an ongoing basis. These rooms are separated by a moving partition making it possible to create a large meeting space when the partition is opened and the two rooms become one.
All five of these new children in the program have scored high passing grades ranging from 6.57 to 7.76 so far this year.
Congratulations to them, their teachers, Principal, and Administrator.
One Step Closer to Inauguration Day Rev. Aguilh
It is almost five years since with very little money but armed with our faith and a vision, we began this audacious project known as the Haiti Hope House Learning Center.
The Learning Center is intended to be an oasis in the Mizak community where learning can continue to happen in a safe environment when the doors of the schools are closed, specially during the Summer vacations as I mentioned in the previous article.
It is designed to have the first and only public library in the community. It is designed to include a media/computer room and make access to the Internet possible without a half hour motorcycle ride to Jacmel, the nearest town to a cyber café. It includes two classrooms where vocational training can take place not just once or twice a year, but on an ongoing basis. These rooms are separated by a moving partition making it possible to create a large meeting space when the partition is opened and the two rooms become one.
The LC also includes two offices, a regular meeting room, and a power/electricity lab room. It is designated to be solar energy powered.
By the grace of God, with patience, perseverance, hard work, and the generosity of many, we are as of my last trip, one step closer to Inauguration Day.
By the grace of God, with patience, perseverance, hard work, and the generosity of many, we are as of my last trip, one step closer to Inauguration Day.
This is the latest picture of the Learning Center fully painted outside. It is also fully painted inside.
In the October 2017 Newsletter, I listed 9 items, including 2 non critical ones, that needed to be completed in order to open the LC to the people of Mizak.
I am glad to report that since then, 5 of the 7 critical items have been completed, either fully or partially. This is why I say that we are one step closer to Inauguration Day.
We have:
In the October 2017 Newsletter, I listed 9 items, including 2 non critical ones, that needed to be completed in order to open the LC to the people of Mizak.
I am glad to report that since then, 5 of the 7 critical items have been completed, either fully or partially. This is why I say that we are one step closer to Inauguration Day.
We have:
- installed the heavy duty entrance security gate
- painted the entire building (inside and outside)
3. installed the 18 windows (double vertical panes).
4. purchased office desks and chairs and placed orders for library tables and classrooms
desks
5. built the library and the media center which includes the 2 HP printers. (see pictures)
4. purchased office desks and chairs and placed orders for library tables and classrooms
desks
5. built the library and the media center which includes the 2 HP printers. (see pictures)
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Rev Aguilh is mounting the main bookcases supports to the wall of the library, and painting the supports and the shelves
This picture shows the wall mounted bookcases on the right side of the library.
This picture shows part of the media room, including one of the new HP All in One printers.
This picture shows another section of the media center. The second HP printer is seen, and so is the white board for Basic Computer classes.
Here is what is left to be done in order for the inauguration to happen in September as we hope, and to put the Learning Center to the service of the people of Mizak:
It is estimated that it will cost about $25,000 for these final tasks to be completed.
This five years dream is on the cusp of becoming a reality for the community of Mizak and its people. We need your help however to push us across the finish line, to help us cross over from the realm of dream to the realm of reality.
Maybe you can donate a door: about $200, or help us buy the router and associated wifi equipment needed for Internet service, besides the service contract, or maybe you would like to help us buy some books to begin stocking the library: $100, $200, $250.
Whatever you feel moved to donate will be greatly appreciated. Unless specifically designated, your tax deductible gift will be applied to books, Internet Access, and doors, in that order. Please be as generous as you can.
WILL YOU HELP US? THANK YOU.
DONATE HERE
Here is what is left to be done in order for the inauguration to happen in September as we hope, and to put the Learning Center to the service of the people of Mizak:
- Installation of the 8 internal doors.
- Installation of Internet Access
- Purchasing of books to stock the library
- Landscaping of the ground for safety purposes,
- Installation of razor wire over the security wall which also needs to be “finished.” (The last 2 items while necessary are not critical.)
It is estimated that it will cost about $25,000 for these final tasks to be completed.
This five years dream is on the cusp of becoming a reality for the community of Mizak and its people. We need your help however to push us across the finish line, to help us cross over from the realm of dream to the realm of reality.
Maybe you can donate a door: about $200, or help us buy the router and associated wifi equipment needed for Internet service, besides the service contract, or maybe you would like to help us buy some books to begin stocking the library: $100, $200, $250.
Whatever you feel moved to donate will be greatly appreciated. Unless specifically designated, your tax deductible gift will be applied to books, Internet Access, and doors, in that order. Please be as generous as you can.
WILL YOU HELP US? THANK YOU.
DONATE HERE
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