Winter 2026

Construction Woes and Wins

Our Spiritual and Community Center, the construction of which was started in 2020, has remained unfinished since the earthquake in August 2021. There are many logistical challenges in doing construction in Haiti, not least of which is the poor condition of the road up the mountain to Gatineau. In addition to finishing the Center, we also wanted to build rock walls, a guard house and iron gates onto the clinic site. We are very happy to have finally re-started construction. We hope to soon have improved security as well as a beautiful entrance!

Foundation being dug across the front of the clinic property

Wall going up in front of the clinic site and along the side of the Spiritual and Community Center

Wall extending from the road up in front of the Center

Plywood and tin is no match for a heavy falling palm tree.

Sometimes things don’t always go as planned, though, as was the case here. We asked a couple of local men to cut down a palm tree that was going to interfere with the front wall. Unfortunately, they didn’t take the time to put ropes on the tree to direct its fall and it crashed into our little Haiti Hut, a wooden structure that had been built to store supplies during construction of the clinic. We had intended to dismantle the Haiti Hut anyway, prior to using the Spiritual and Community Center but this damage will likely hasten its demise.

Damaged Haiti Hut after palm tree fell onto it

Onward (and Upward)

One of the first tasks for the construction crew was to build stairs up to the second floor of the Spiritual and Community Center which will house offices for our Community Development staff. It has a large conference room where we can meet with our Community Promoters and Goat Program Supervisors and they are all looking forward to using it.