New TrierTownship High School District 203

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As we watch the images of Haiti flash across our TV screens, we gasp at the scenes of collapsed buildings, of neighbors pulling neighbors from underneath piles of rubble, and of medical personnel scrambling to save lives. The damage is immeasurable and the tragedy incomprehensible. What, we ask ourselves, can we do to help our neighbors in Haiti and their children?

Haiti, only 200 miles south of the Florida border, is at our doorstep. But for New Trier, the connection is even closer. Several of New Trier’s staff members are from Haiti, and since last spring, a group of New Trier faculty and staff have been developing the Haiti Project in anticipation of launching a fundraising effort and service learning project this March to help rebuild a school in Petit-Goave, Haiti. The project began with two of our staff members, Maurice Bonhomme and Jean Cayemitte, who work as security guards on New Trier’s Northfield Campus.

This past summer, at the invitation of Maurice and Jean, a small group of New Trier High School staff had the honor and privilege to visit Petit-Goave and St. Joseph School.  While we witnessed great need in this community, we also experienced its great heart. In spite of insufficient salaries, St. Joseph schoolteachers remained unwaveringly dedicated to their students. The children’s learning commitment was equally strong, despite empty stomachs and crumbling school facilities. Both The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Public Radio have covered New Trier’s involvement with Petit-Goave.

The mission of the Haiti Project is now being expanded to help with the relief effort in Petit-Goave, which is located just 5 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake. We now know the damage done to the town has been extensive and St. Joseph School is only one of many buildings that have collapsed.  It is clear that this already impoverished area has been further ravaged by this tragic disaster.

New Trier’s Haiti Project is partnering with a locally based non-profit, Little by Little, a 501 (c) 3 organization that provides aid and support to communities in Haiti. All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of funds will be used to respond to relief efforts in Petit-Goave.

Maurice and Jean worked tirelessly at personal cost to keep the doors open at Petit-Goave’s St. Joseph school. Through personal finances and donations made by family and friends, they paid the $300  monthly salaries of St. Joseph’s committed teachers and the $250 tuition for children of the 160 families unable to afford this yearly expense.  No child was turned away for financial reasons from this “private” school.  It is our hope, that in time, the school will be rebuilt to proudly stand again. 

We believe that supporting each other through these difficult times truly helps us live up to our motto, “To commit minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion and lives to the service of humanity.” We appreciate your interest and support at this critical time.

With hope for the future,
The Haiti Service Learning Committee

Haiti Project Purpose Statement:

• To raise funds to repair and refurbish St. Joseph’s school in Petit Goave, Haiti.
• Install electricity, plumbing,  an indoor bathroom, and a kitchen (which would provide a hot meal  per day for the students).
• To raise funds to build a school for 300 children on the outskirts of Petit Goave, Haiti, who currently do not have a school.
• Partner organization Little-by-Little will help facilitate health care services for the students at St. Joseph's school.

New Trier travel team with students and teachers from St. Joseph school in Haiti. 

New Trier  High School motto:
Minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion and lives to the service of humanity.