Library Update: June 2012
As of June 2012 The design phase of the library has begun! In June 2012, Terry Smith, Chair of the SCEH Library Committee, and Jenifer Grant, SCEH Director, travelled to Deschapelles and met with Luquece Belizaire, President of ODES, and Patrick Dominique. Luquece, who has much experience in contruction in Deschapelles, has agreed to serve […]
Library: Inception: Summer 2010
THE PROPOSED DESCHAPELLES LIBRARY The creation of a library in Deschapelles was the first project initiated by Sister Cities Essex Haiti and ODES. Despite the fact that all Haitians value education highly there are few libraries in rural Haiti. Although the official language in Haiti is Kreyol, until recently there were very few books written […]
Soup Jumeau
Soup Jumeau, or pumpkin soup, is a traditional soup in Haiti, especially on New Year’s day. Many variations exist. The basic recipe follows: Cut a pound of beef into small pieces into a pot of cold water and let it simmer until the meat is tender. Add water and ½ pound of vegetables cut in […]
Have a Heart for Haiti Fundraiser
Sister Cities Essex Haiti held its first fundraiser, Have a Heart for Haiti, on Friday, October 22, 2010, on the grounds of the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, Connecticut. Over 250 people came to support Hospital Albert Schweitzer and the first Sister Cities Essex Haiti project: the establishment of a library in Deschapelles, Haiti where […]
Boots on the Ground: My Time at Bibliothèque Communautaire Deschapelles
By Katy Klarnet, September 2015. As a retired librarian (and now occasional substitute at area public libraries) I was interested to learn that Sister Cities Essex Haiti had launched a library building project in Deschapelles, Haiti, and I offered to help. This led to me to spend several months off and on as a volunteer […]