MORE ABOUT HAITI
Montbayard School
Prior to the December 2003 trip,
Father Cha Cha said he wanted to build a school at Montbayard. Montbayard
is the most remotely located chapel and sits near the edge of the top of the
mountain. He estimated that it would cost about $30,000 to build this school.
That is higher than usual for two reasons: first, the location is so far away
from any sources of materials and supplies; and second, the terrain to be built
upon is very steep. The chapel sits on the highest portion of the property owned
by the
Montfortians. The portion where the school was ultimately built is so much
lower than the church that the roof of the school is level with the foundation
of the chapel -- yet it is only about 50 feet from the chapel.
Father Cha Cha said that he had about half of the money already raised from a
source in Europe, so St. Mary's goal was to raise $15,000, which we brought to
him in December, 2003 so this project could be finished.
When the May 2004 group traveled to Haiti, we visited Montbayard to see the
completed 10 room school. To fit on the hillside, there were eight classes in a
row and then two more at a ninety-degree turn into the curvature of the
mountain. There is an overhang that connects each room so you can walk from one
room to another without being exposed to the weather. As in each of the other
schools St Mary's has helped to build, there is no electricity. Each room is lit
by having natural sunlight enter the room through concrete blocks near the
ceiling that are not solid (but allow light and air to enter).
Click on the thumbnail to see a larger picture. Use the arrows to the left and right of the thumbnails to see more pictures in the gallery.
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Sacristan Previles Cenil and Father Cha Cha stand overlooking the new Montbayard School.
