I first visited Haiti and Pazapa when my son worked there in the Peace Corps in 1997. I have been back many times to visit and will be returning again to visit Pazapa this December. This remarkable school for children with disabilities operates on a bare bones budget and supports a staff of 21, a Special Education program for 75 students from infancy to late teens with developmental/mental challenges; orthopedic clinics, surgery , and physical therapy are provided by visiting volunteers. The school also provides Outreach services to 6 rural districts, and small business loans to mothers of the students. A school for the deaf for 30 students is held each afternoon. Breakfast and lunch are served each day to all the students. All programs and services are provided free of charge. The school building was destroyed in the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake. All the children and staff survived. The hard working and dedicated USA Board has purchased land and are raising the funds to rebuild. The school is presently operating under temporary structures.
The work of Pazapa is critical for providing opportunity for the Haitian children that are faced with the multiple obstacles of physical and mental challenges, an econom in distress and a country that is needy for all of its citzens to contribute to its rising from the devasting natural disasters. The money I donated is very well used as the administrative costs are proven low. A great return from my small contribution that will be multiplicative in its use.
The Siloé Project, through its Haitian NGO PAZAPA, provides for the treatment, education and rehabilitation of over 100 Haitian children each year. All live with a disability and all live in the greater area of Jacmel, Haiti. For the most part, Haitian schools do not accept children with disabilities. Coupling a disability with lack of schooling severely limits a child’s potential to earn a living once s/he reaches adulthood.