June 12, 2003

Bonjou!

It's been more than ten years since the director of the Chretienne Dumarsait Estimé primary school in Port-au-Ciel began his search for an upgrade to the leaking, collapsing, wall-less building housing his students. As he proudly declared during yesterday's inauguration speech, the search is now over. The new school is finished.

As I mentioned in my own speech, yesterday's celebrations were about a lot more than just a new building. Yesterday we were celebrating the determination and commitment of all the individuals who sacrificed so much to volunteer on the site. At the same time, we were celebrating the strength and resolve of the community, because without working tet kole, men a men, zepol ak zepol (heads stuck together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder), the school would never have been possible. And finally we were celebrating the cooperation of the whole international community. We all te bat men (cheered) many times in thanks for all the hard work and contributions of our BwB club members and of the numerous other generous individuals who have worked in the background to make BwB schools like this a reality. In particular, we recognize the important contribution of Mission Service Amical, a Swiss organization that will help operate the school by paying all the teachers in the new school.

Thankfully, the old schoolhouse pictured here is now just a memory for the people of Port-au-Ciel.

During construction the community of Port-au-Ciel has repeatedly stepped up to the challenge of improving education in the community. Over the months, they contributed more than 2100 volunteer workdays and performed feats of strength that almost made my stomach turn. In the years to come, I have no doubt that the help Building with Books has provided will be merely a stepping stone on their continuing path to better education and further development. Indeed, their eyes are already set on the next target: a health center right next to the school.

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