Sister Cities Essex Haiti

Building Community Through Education, Music & Tennis in Deschapelles

Library

On January 8, 2016, SCEH celebrated the opening of the Deschapelles library with the people of Deschapelles, our collaborative partner, ODES, and the library’s Haitian supporters FOKAL and Digicel. Many people in the community are now able to take full advantage of this completely new opportunity in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley.

Deschapelles library, exterior
The library is a bright, welcoming 3,000-square-foot building filled with natural light and surrounded by outdoor space where children can safely play and adults can relax or read. Inside are nearly 2,500 books in French, Haitian Kreyòl, and English, along with computers, DVDs, educational toys, puzzles, and comfortable seating for study and gatherings. Most notably, the library has electricity, a rarity in Deschapelles, allowing students to study after dark and community members to participate in evening programs.
Haitian girls reading in library
Deschapelles library at night

Regular cultural and educational events are held for all ages, making the library a hub of community life. ODES, through its Conseil (Library Board), oversees daily operations, including staffing, volunteer coordination, policy setting, and budgeting, in close partnership with the SCEH Library Committee.

Together, we’re proud to see the library thriving as a place where knowledge, creativity, and community come together in Deschapelles.

Haitian family using computer in library
Deschapelles, Haiti library group
Haitian girls reading in Deschapelles library

Weekly & Monthly Library Activities:

  • Children’s reading club
  • Adult reading and discussion groups
  • English and French language conversation groups
  • Computer Classes
  • Dance Club
  • Theater Club
  • Health and Mental Health Awareness Sessions
  • History and Art History Sessions
  • Children’s Summer Camps
  • Environment Sessions
  • Etiquette Classes for BCD Club
  • Storytelling Sessions ~ Tales & Traditions
  • Public Speaking Classes
Deschapelles, Haiti library 3 kids at table
classroom in Deschapelles library
Deschapelles library