Library Project: March 2013 – Sister Cities Essex Haiti

As of March 2013

The construction phase of the library has begun! As you can see from the following photos, the perimeter wall is largely installed, the site has been located and mapped out, and they have started digging and preparing the foundation. This is truly a community effort with ODES leading the way. Luquece Belizaire, President of ODES, is the Construction Manager, and has been able to employ many residents of Deschapelles providing much needed income for their families.

John Chew (Construction Oversight), Anny Frederique (ODES), Luquece Belizaire (Construction Manager), Jenifer Grant, Terry Smith, Dan Taylor-Stypa, Belsy Belizaire (ODES), David Evangelisti

At the end of January, SCEH Executive Board members, Terry Smith, Dan Taylor-Stypa, David Evangelisti, and Jenifer Grant traveled to Haiti to evaluate the construction progress of the library.

During their short week, they met with the leaders of the ODES construction team, fine tuned the financial systems (getting money to Haiti, a system for recording expenses) and signed agreements with Luquece Belizaire, Construction Supervisor, and John Chew, Construction Oversight. They were able to arrange for the purchase of almost all the materials within Haiti which meet their quality requirements.

Elizabeth Pierre-Louis and Erick Toussaint (FOKAL), Terry Smith, Jenifer Grant, Dan Taylor-Stypa, John Chew, Anny Frederique, David Evangelisti

They also met with Elizabeth Pierre-Louis and Eric Toussaint of the FOKAL Library in Port au Prince and continued to strengthen that already established relationship.

The SCEH team was very impressed that the work that had already been done and departed with complete confidence that all the work that will follow will be as carefully done. It is impressive what can be done with 100% manual labor and basic tools of shovels, picks, and wheelbarrows.

Preparing the perimeter wall

Installing the perimeter wall: rock, grave, sand and cement are poured into wooden frames.

Securing the site

A perimeter wall with chain link fencing on it is being installed to secure the site. Note the women that are employed as well. This is a very good example of ODES’ collaboration who advised the SCEH Library Committee of the need to secure the site.

Constructing needed ancillary buildings

Three ancillary buildings are being constructed. A gatehouse at the entrance of the library will help to secure the site. A depot will be used for storage. And a pump house will contain the water pump. Water is required for the construction of the building (e.g. mixing mortar) and will be necessary during the operations of the library. The water pump will also serve the needs of the immediate community. Note the rebar being used for earthquake protection.

Laying out the foundation

The library is staked out using posts and string. This development represents a tremendous amount of work by Hope Proctor, an Essex architect, along with other architects and engineers in Connecticut and Deschapelles all of whom have volunteered hundreds of hours. Thank-you.

Digging the foundation for the Deschapelles library

Hurrah! We have begun digging the foundation for the library. Many men and women in the Deschapelles area have been employed during this process. This is truly an exciting collaboration–both for people in Connecticut and for people in Deschapelles!