Happy Summer from SAKALA!

News for a Better World from the SAKALA community center in Cité Soleil, Haiti

Normally this time of year I could say for sure that school was out for the summer in Haiti.

But this year (and really the last few years) most schools have missed so many days because of armed-group violence that the school year has been extended to make up for it.

One of the ways that SAKALA helps provides stability (and fun and joy) during such unstable times is by holding its after-school program every day even when the schools have been closed.

The computer lab, the only one in the community, has been open and busy.

The community garden continues to grow, carefully tended by the children who are growing just as fast.

SAKALA recently had beautiful holiday celebrations for Flag Day and Mother’s Day.

I love these puzzle photos below because I saw them back-to-back so it seemed like the children instantly, defying the laws of physics, went from puzzle-piece chaos to perfection. (Maybe they did. I am a firm believer that SAKALA’s kids can do anything.)

SAKALA’s chess program, which has produced more than its share of national champions, is going strong with daily practice and frequent tournaments.

When I was going through the photos from the latest chess tournament in June, I noticed human dynamo extraordinaire Coach Killick has his leg in a cast. My heart sank to see it. Knowing him, he has somehow not managed to be slowed down a bit, but it is a tough time to be dealing with an injury – everything from hot summer weather to the stress of dealing with instability in the country – so please wish this SAKALA hero a speedy recovery.

When I was looking through the Mother’s Day celebration photos, I was reminded of when I was lucky enough to witness SAKALA’s registration periods when moms, dads, aunts and uncles, sometimes family friends, would sign the beloved children in their lives up for SAKALA’s programs.

In Haiti, there is a public school system, but it is woefully underfunded so the only real option for most families is private schools. They are not expensive by U.S. standards, but between tuition, school uniforms, textbooks and other supplies, education takes a huge chunk out of the average family’s budget.

Often Haitian families must make the impossible calculation of deciding which of their children can go to school and for how long.

SAKALA takes that hardship out of the equation by offering tuition and school fees support, so that all of SAKALA’s beneficiaries can go to school.

This school year, with your generous support, SAKALA enabled more than 250 children to go to school.

This not only helps the children and their families but the schools and teachers who are struggling mightily under the current conditions in Haiti.

And while I am grateful for school, I am hoping that true summer vacation can start soon – because that means SAKALA’s summer camp. Stay tuned. :)

Wishing you much peace, happiness, and health – and of course a wonderful summer (or winter, depending on where you are)!