By Jacob Zola, Clean Water for La Vallee Project Organizer

Clean Water for La Vallee has just finished giving trainings to two of the schools in La Vallee’s main town, Ridore. It went exceptionally well, the participants, now Community Health Promoters, have come up with an action plan to begin an education campaign in La Vallee. Both schools received biosand filters to support all their children with clean water (more than 1 thousand kids!). Much of this credit must go to Cara Connors, VFP volunteer from the U.S. who brought her passion in these wonderful trainings and provided the project her perspective and invaluable ideas. Special thanks to Muslims Against Hunger’s generous donation in support all the filters and training in Ridore.

We held a ceremony in the main church in Ridore, the largest church in all of La Vallee and one of the largest community centers. During the ceremony it was apparent that Clean Water for La Vallee has become more than a project, it has become a force in this community as the word “movement” was spoken several times by the local guest speakers, especially in the context of a movement that can transform La Vallee into an example of health for all of Haiti. Guest’s in the ceremony included Ruffine Labbe, the Deputy of La Vallee who is considered the most important political figure in the region, Dr. Justima, responsible for the first University in Haiti to provide specialized majors for the progress of Haiti, and John Baptist, the biggest prospect for future mayor of La Vallee. Although the leaders of La Vallee were present, it was clear that the most important guests were the Community Health Promoters themselves, as the purpose of the ceremony was to recognize them as the up and coming tools for change here in La Vallee. The Ceremony was featured on the main radio station in La Vallee for all people to listen. Much of the credit for this beautiful ceremony must go to my good friend Pierro, a local, a highly passionate and intelligent individual who will take my responsibility on when I depart and who spent hours organizing this beautiful ceremony.

In addition two VFP volunteers,  Yisu from China and Elizabeth from the U.S. worked with local artist Ande in painting a beautiful Mural on one of the schools that shows a kid washing his hands, underneath it, it says in Kreyol “Your life is in your hands, keep them clean” and THANKS to project sponsors Muslims Against Hunger, VFP and CODEHA.

Mural in Ridore

Thanks to Volunteers For Peace genuine philosophy to help this world and Codeha’s local guidance for making this possible with a grant from Muslims Against Hunger Project.

Thanks to everyone’s support abroad.