Dear friends and partners,

The YMCA d’Haïti National Office in Port-au-Prince is reopened!

The stable but still fragile security climate in some areas in Port-au-Prince offers this opportunity. We used this occasion to make a grand entrance in the community with a back-to-school event were thirty-five youth received school kits and other gifts and refreshments. The Rotary Club Delmas Aéroport and SOS Solitude were with the YMCA on that Sunday, September 29 to witness the kids ‘smiles as they contemplate going back to school proud and happy. Some parents were as well as excited to welcome back the YMCA to the community.

Add to that our active presence in the communities of Laboule, Camp-Perrin and Bainet. The only sad news is the temporary closing of the Caracol branch for necessary structural reparation. However, we feel re-energize with that special opening. This Office is where everything started back in October 2001, twenty-three years ago.

On another front, Stephane and Michel from Quebec YMCA helped Trevor Mc. Almont, Ottawa YMCA CEO understand the partnership relationship that ties their YMCA with YMCA d’Haiti and what it entails. This was done via a zoom meeting. Ernest Lamour, Greater Rochester YMCA CEO will do the same with Trevor about the coalition. Furthermore Ernest’s efforts are paving the road for more YMCAs in the US to help, Greater Boston and Greater Brandywine YMCAs are vivid examples of his dedication.

In addition, thanks to Michel, YMCA d’Haïti was able to apply for a Grant to the European Union under the Global Youth Mobilization Project. This is a $ 20,000 reforestation project aimed at educating the youth about their environment.

Conversations continue with the YMCA of Quebec about Alayna’s training in Montreal, and her participation in Columbia to the World Urban Network session financed by both Greater Philadelphia and Greater Rochester YMCAs.

Dear friends, thank for your continuous support, YMCA d’Haïti is slowly recovering.

Gwénaël

…that they all may be one!