Thank you to all the generous donors to the St Francis Community / Rectory Center Construction Project
Here is an update on the construction as of Oct-2010.
ABOUT
The St Francois d’ Assise parish is a major influence to the community of Cerca La Source. Its location near the south western town border is along the primary route from the nearby river leading toward Hinche and Port au Price. Its church and multiple buildings are a welcome sign into the village encompassing both sides of the roadway. Together with the church & school, the new rectory and nearby hospital, St Francois d’ Assisi is the spiritual center of the entire region.
THE BEGINNING
In March 2007, construction on the outer structural walls of future St Francois d’ Assise rectory & community center begin to outline the building. The concrete structure is constructed entirely by manual labor. There are no large trucks or mixers. Brick by brick, the structure has been built with a single intent. The community of local labor work to construct everything on site in a coordinated manner. After enduring Hurricanes in 2008 and the devastating earthquake of 2009, the project pressed on. The prices on standard building materials- wood, concrete and steel have all been at a premium throughout Haiti. Everyday resources are difficult to obtain locally. Building materials come out of Port au Prince, 90 miles/5 hours away. The process is taxing- Pere Bertrand outlines what is required and looks at his financial resource, then travels to Port au Prince to purchase material and arrange for delivery. TODAY
From the start, Pere Bertrand Desforage has overseen all of the construction. Working within a budget of money which has been entirely acquired through donation and grant, progress this year in 2010 has been strong. St Francois d’ Assise celebrates its feast day each year during the first week in October. The feast brings priests in throughout outlying villages and Pere Bertrand hosts the Bishop from Hinche in his small rectory. For the last 3 years, the people of St Stephen Parish have been the primary contributors making this dream of a new rectory & community center a reality. Thus far, over $38,000 dollars has been contributed. And throughout the time we have maintained our pledge of meals to the school children and paying teacher salaries. This construction project has been an ambitious goal for those at St Stephen & St Francois. Thankfully, St Francois d’ Assise in Cerca La Source avoided the devastation of natural disasters which struck other parts of Haiti and generally has clean water and diverse agriculture. These images illustrate the building project has shown progress each year, layer by layer. There is obvious pride in the work that has been accomplished to thus far. We, at St Stephens are proud of Pere Bertrand and the parish of St Francois d’ Assise and wish to help them fulfill their goal of a sustaining a strong, generous parish within the hills of the central plateau region of Haiti. THE FUTUREEventually, the rectory & community center will have two fully furnished levels. Though today, only the first level is fully enclosed, the rectory can soon be occupied. Kitchen tools and furniture will be acquired through both purchase and donation.Logistically, it remains a challenge getting items, large and small to the central plateau region of Haiti. We, at St Stephen and with the assistance of others, intend on shipping items that make the new rectory & community center inhabitable.
