The “Espoir de Vallières” library
Vallières is a municipality in the mountains in the North-Eastern part of Haiti with about 30’000 inhabitants. Access to the region is difficult; educational infrastructures are scarce. This is why in 1999, a group of young Haitians founded the “Espoir de Vallières” library. The project aims:
- To support young people and help them get better access to education;
- To suggest cultural activities in their spare time;
- To create a space for social events;
- To host visitors;
- To encourage exchange with other circles;
- To give access to information of public interest (health, general knowledge).
The library has come to be appreciated by everyone in the municipality.
Since its creation, it has been situated in a rented house and supported financially by the Fondation Connaissance et Liberté (FOKAL). However, due to increasing rental costs as well as a lack of space and infrastructure, the library board will have to construct its own building to continue running the library on the long term. It has plans for a building hosting a reading room, a room for cultural events, an office, a dormitory for guests, a cafeteria and toilets. The construction should be earthquake- and tornado-proof. The library board aims:
- To continue promoting education and exchange of information within the community;
- To offer better amenities for visitors;
- To encourage partnerships with schools and promote openness in the municipality;
- To offer better infrastructures for animations, activities and cultural events;
- To reduce the number of young people who emigrate to the Domenican Republic.
It is planned to have the community participate in the construction works. The library will be built by local workers with local materials. The municipality has made land available for the construction. The only missing thing are the financial means. On the short term, the library needs financial support to construct the new building.
On the longer term, proEducation aims to support it:
- To promote exchange with other circles (e.g. the “Frère Dumay Collège”);
- To organize events related to education and health.
* Jeunesse Culturelle de Vallières (JCV)
Contact:
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Donation account:
PC: 61-795938-1, proEducation, Hinterkappelen
IBAN: CH39 0900 0000 6179 5938 1
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