As of November 2015

The library building is nearly complete and the librarians are getting ready to welcome Deschapelles!!! Kathleen Maher and Terry Parkinson traveled to Deschapelles in November in this transition period from construction to operations.

They were so pleased to arrive early in the morning to a hand-washing demonstration conducted by ODES members in front of the library. Later that day, they were welcomed by a small group of children who are participating in story-time with the librarians.

So, while the building is not yet completed, ODES has slowly begun to introduce the community to the library.  A construction punch list has been agreed upon including the installation of screens, completion of the library shelves, adding doors to the “twalets”,  and installing the water tank on the “chateau dlo” (the water tower near the gatehouse).

The librarians plan to invite teachers to tour the library before it opens to review the rules and procedures with them so they can return and tell their students.  ODES will be making a decision soon regarding the “official” opening of the library. So stay tuned!

Kathleen and Terry also spent some time in Port au Prince to continue our relationship with FOKAL and to make new ones that will benefit the library.