The largest project to be undertaken is the rebuilding of the public school, Ecole Nationale Jacob Martin Henriquez. The nine-building school complex will provide a new educational home and free daily meal to more than 400 local children in grades K through 7.

Operation USA has partnered with Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the philanthropic organization of Honeywell Corporation, to reconstruct this primary school that will serve students who couldn’t otherwise afford to go to school. This project was built in cooperation with the City of Jacmel, with the support of its exceptional Mayor (now Senator), Edwin Zenny—a nationally known anti-corruption figure and committed activist for Jacmel’s future.

The school—designed pro bono by global planning firm Gensler, with structural engineering services provided by seismic experts Miyamoto International—was built using contemporary, sustainable building methods and was designed to withstand any potential future earthquakes. The school’s construction process was used to train local builders in modern earthquake-resistant construction and environmentally-conscious techniques that can save Haiti both money and natural resources in the years to come. Operation USA will establish a scholarship fund to help cover the cost of books, uniforms and other student expenses.

UPDATE: MARCH 2011
Construction nears completion! Inauguration ceremonies were held on March 11, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with both Operation USA and Honeywell’s CEOs in attendance.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 10, 2011
The first day of school is here! The brand new campus proudly welcomes its first students today.

Press Releases
Gensler Donates Design for Haiti School
Operation USA and Honeywell Break Ground on New School in Jacmel, Haiti

Operation USA began working with the Port-au-Prince based NGO L’Athletique d’Haiti following the hurricanes that hit the Caribbean in the fall of 2008. The series of storms paired with a 50% rise in food costs exacerbated the already dire circumstance, leaving many impoverished Haitians without access to basic food and nutrition. Malnutrition was at crisis level for those most vulnerable, especially children.

L’Athletique d’Haiti (LADH) is an after-school sports program that serves children from ages 6 to 17 in Cité Soleil and Bel Air, the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince. In a country where soccer is a national obsession, the lack of sports programs deprives young people of the opportunity to acquire self esteem, discipline and dedication—the skills developed through playing sports. The program additionally offers a nutritious daily meal and transportation to its participants.

To address the increased demand created by the hurricanes, Operation USA contributed to the funding of a new cafeteria for the facility. Additionally, OpUSA provided LADH with a grant to support their food program which serves children from some of the most destitute areas of Port-au-Prince and surrounding provinces.

In the wake of the January 2010 earthquake, the needs grew…

PROJECT UPDATE:

The facilities at L’Athletique d’Haiti sustained some damage in the earthquake–however, a large number of the children and families the program supported suffered tremendously. Many of those who survived lost their homes.

The two soccer fields at LADH housed as many as 500 families, sheltered in self-made or donated tents. They were provided food and water, alongside medical care. Under the guidance of LADH’s inspiring founder Boby Duval, massive food distributions were undertaken for those living on site.

Operation USA is currently working with LADH to address both current and long-term needs. LADH has expanded its sports offerings beyond soccer—and now boxing, basketball and track are also offered. Engaging the kids in a safe environment, LADH continues to strive to keep the youth away from drugs and gangs in Cite Soleil. LADH continues to provide one meal a day to each child—and is in the process of adding an on-site organic garden, hen houses and compost program to be more sustainable and provide better support this effort.

OpUSA has partnered with LA-based Artists for Peace & Justice to support Father Rick’s lifesaving work. Initial response includes the purchase of $140,000 worth of food and cooking utensils.

Future projects will include help to rebuild neighborhood schools of varying sizes depending on population resettlement.

Operation USA responded quickly to the disaster by coordinating with regional partners in Haiti and Cuba to deliver water purification tablets, medical supplies to pediatric hospitals, and critically needed food and nutritional aid to children affected by the storms.