Day in the Life
"Day in the Life" offers short glimpses into the everyday lives of community members in Petit Trou de Nippes, our sister community of over 30 years. We highlight challenges, celebrations, dreams, and milestones as part of our commitment to keep Haitian people at the center of their own stories. Our team in Colorado is grateful to keep in close touch with the groups and individuals featured on this blog, and while we know these posts could never encapsulate the people featured in them, we hope that sharing some pieces of their stories will help illuminate what makes Petit Trou special.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for standing with our friends in Haiti.
Haitian Metal art is an incredibly unique art form and a hallmark of Haitian culture. The metal used in these works of art are a testament to the resourcefulness of Haitians and their ability to see beauty in the mundane.
Last fall, community members in Petit Trou urgently needed support to weather the political and economic crisis affecting Haiti. Our friends and supporters gave generously to the Community Response Fund, empowering local leaders to support their communities through agricultural and community health initiatives.
The landscape of St. Paul’s School’s campus recently received some exciting new additions, thanks to special guests who visited St. Paul’s garden club.
Last week a group of CHP-supported scholarship students finished a month-long training to become solar technicians with certifications to monitor and maintain a future solar grid on St. Paul’s School’s campus.
Darline Nicolas, Patrick Desir, Rica Joassaint, Soeurette Vertil, and Françoise Moise traveled to Jacmel last week to attend a training on Beyond Borders’ Power to Girls curriculum. The training is part of a three-year grant from the Novo Foundation that will significantly expand the impact of the GEM Program.
Petit Trou’s 3rd Annual Harvest Festival featured student plays, a farmer’s market, and a remarkable speech from Agronomist Raphael.
Under Darline Nicolas’ leadership, the 100 members of GEM (the Girls’ Empowerment and Mentoring Program) participate in a comprehensive curriculum meant to help them succeed in all areas of life. Menstrual health and financial savings/income generation are two topics the GEM program has covered recently.
The two best friends were thrilled to return to the farm on April 14th to mark this year’s Earth Day with the theme of “Protect Our Species.”
Recent Saturday mornings at St. Paul’s School have brought some new celebrities to campus. At one of the latest garden club meetings, dozens of students—most of them members of garden club—gathered around Agronomist Raphael Fernandez Salvador as he introduced a hands-on component to a topic he had introduced in a lecture the week before: animal husbandry.
In case you missed it on our social media channels, Guilot and Genevieve tied the knot in July in a special ceremony held at St. Paul’s church. Angela Altus, a professional photographer and friend to CHP, attended the happy event and just sent in the beautiful photos she took that day.
Jacob and Wilda recently sat down with CHP staff for a short video interview in which they graciously shared many personal details about their lives, including the story of their marriage. Here is a sneak peek of what they told us.
Thanks to Guirelene’s leadership, 25 Community Health Aides just completed 1,500 surveys collecting community health and population data, along with a particular focus on access to and knowledge of the moringa tree.
Patrick and his wife Rose Laure welcomed their son Patricio into the world four months ago. Even with a busy home life, Patrick continues to balance multiple projects to support his family and community.
A group of elementary school students recently had a special request of Raphael. What they asked is evidence of his phenomenal teaching during his first year at St. Paul’s school.
When a group of visitors met Kinsley and asked him about his 9th-grade exams, he assured them that he wasn’t worried—he was ready.
In January we introduced Guilot Tibert as the administrator of St. Paul’s School, noting how St. Paul’s has fundamentally shaped his educational and career paths. Earlier this year, the school also was a major influence on his romantic life.
Earth Day is not commonly known in Petit Trou de Nippes and Schneider and Jameson look forward to taking back the spirit, experiences, and lessons of this special Earth Day to their community.
Schneider Chancy and Jameson Figarot are together so often that it seems fitting for them to share a post on our Year in the Life blog. Growing up as neighbors and peers at St. John’s school, they have been the best of friends for as long as each can remember.
Guirlene is the supervisor of the local clinic in Petit Trou de Nippes and has been a keystone of the community for many years.
When Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti in October 2016, it devastated the surrounding areas of Petit Trou. Patrick Desir sprang into action.
Roodnaëlle Marius is surrounded by love. A twelve-year-old 7th grader at St. Paul’s School, she lives with her mom, her dad, her grandpa and her sister and brother.
Kinsley is 15 years old and an awesome student. This year, he's preparing to take his 9th grade exam that will allow him into high school!
Wilda works as a community health aide and is now a founding member of a new community association formed to support the families and farmers of the Petit Trou commune.
As Raphael enters into the second semester at St. Paul’s, he continues to develop the agriculture program at the school and support the local farmers at the seed bank.
Guilot is an industrious contributor to the community of Petit Trou de Nippes, and he is widely known as a leader and friend.