Matenwa Library II

Mat è nwa Community Learning Center Library II July-August 2009

Library I
In order to permit Matènwa to advance in the areas of education, culture, economy as well as other domains, the MCLC asked Rotary for help to build a library in the community.
Thanks to Rotary San Juan’s response and Rotary Skidaway's decision to partner with them, we broke ground on this Library I Project in July 2007.
We finished 2 rooms, one for books and one for a computer lab, within one year and on schedule.

After School Computer Courses
In addition to running a library for the 241 students at our school and the greater community of Matènwa, beginning in April 2008 the librarian, Benaja Antoine, has since run 5 after school computer courses of 12 students each.
Young adults came from the communities of Matènwa, Masikren, Grandsous, Nan Kafe, Platon Yeye, Nan Bwa Chèn, Nan Twonpèt, and Nan Tè Wouj.

After School Computer Courses
They had a course on how to surf the Internet, as well as beginning lessons on how to use Microsoft Word and Excel. These students’ general knowledge has grown since being connected to the rest of the world by Internet.
In addition, we even witnessed one man gain employment after he had several exchanges with a Port Au Prince based company via email.

Library II
This year the MCLC felt the need to start Library II construction. In July 2009 we received the okay from our Rotary partners to start the construction with an initial donation of $10,000 from the Interact Club at Commonwealth school, Puerto Rico.
Beyond Borders sent $9,500 of this money down to us in Haiti. July 15th we made the first withdrawal and started buying construction materials the very same day.
We have already paid out all these monies in order to put up 13 support columns, 7 cross beams, and the cement floor with hand tied metal bars throughout.

Progress Report
It took 3 weeks and five to seven people working everyday.
There was a combination of experienced workers and also apprentices, each responsible for one part of the work.
After that it took a couple weeks to find enough sheets of plywood to rent in order to pour the cement floor.

Progress Report (cont.)
On the 19th of August more than 65 people were on site at 5:00 am to assist and witness the laying of the cement slab.
Women and men, young and old came together to realize this work.
Everyone was happy to do it.

Recap
We’d like to mention that, the crowd worked contentedly even though they knew that a cement slab was poured in another community earlier that week where workers had been paid much more than what we offered our community.
After they were done they sang a chant, “Benaja, please you can leave out feeding us, but please give us the small change please.” Truly, the ambiance was beautiful.
Our devoted Rotary partners have sent a total of $17,450 dollars for this construction thus far.
We are about to receive another $7,000 dollars through Beyond Border to continue this inspirational work.

Marx ène Jean and Th ém il Jeanty are digging holes for cement columns.

Community workers are unloading the rocks.

Magarette B éi ssance is smashing the rocks to make gravel to pour for the cement support beams, columns, floors, and ceilings.

The tin roof was removed and the base supports are being dug.

Community members dragged these tree poles to the site.

Berthony Myrtil is cutting beams and Ezekyèl is nailing them to prepare for the cement slab.

Sand for the cement slab.
Southwest corner.

View of completed Library I project and Library II project in the making.

Construction head, Holand, starts tying the metal rods together along with (from right) Kenny Antoine, Mickaël Myrtil, Marckely Calixte, Wilder Dorcé and Rodnert Myrtil. Kenny is filling in holes.

Michel is filling in holes. Marckely is checking their work to make sure no cement will fall through.

These are the two doors leading out of the Library I construction.

These people signed up to make the cement slab and have arrived very early, before the boss.

The group will divide into several groups. One to mix the cement and sand, another to pass the buckets on the ground, another on the ladder and another on the top, and finally two designated people, one that receives the empty buckets on top and tosses them to the other one on the ground to place in line again.

People are waiting for the signal to start.

Margaret is preparing corn meal, dried fish, and avocado for the workers. The corn is extremely good.

These men are starting to mix the cement.

These men are passing the buckets.

The cement is moving quickly to the top of the building.

The last part of the cement slab is just being finished, most of the people have gone down to the ground, just a few are watching the last of the cement being poured and smoothed.

Jean Claude is smoothing out the parts that are uneven.

The cement slab is finished and the people are making music with the water drums and buckets and singing while waiting for their pay.

Holland is placing the first brick for the walls of the second floor!

Matenwa Library II

by JomsCleary on Oct 13, 2009

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Matenwa Library II — Presentation Transcript