Urgent Appeal For Financial Support

To those who believe that education is not a privilege, but rather a right for all, SOPUDEP School in Pétion-Ville Haiti needs your attention.

We are writing on behalf of the hardworking and dedicated Haitian educators of SOPUDEP School who wish to empower the most vulnerable children in their community. The children of SOPUDEP cannot afford to go to school because of Haiti's highly privatized education system. Without SOPUDEP School in their community, these children would never to learn to read or have access to a well-rounded education. Even though SOPUDEP is a registered Private School with The Ministry of Education, they turn no child away for lack of funds.

Parents of students are encouraged to pay for their childs education, it is not manditory. The money the parents do contribute goes towards bills like water, electricity, gas for the generator, uniforms, cleaning supplies, repairs and fees for special programs our teachers are required to attend by the Ministry of Education. They also must pay fees to renew the school's patent and license under the DGI and Ministry of Education each year.

The Sawatzky Family Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that was created in 2008 for the sole purpose of providing financial support and raising awareness about this wonderful local social program.

The Sawatzky Family has personally paid the teachers’ salaries ($26,000 (US) for 47 staff) and the majority of the food program that feeds over 650 students five days a week for close to two years.

We have run short on our own resources and are urgently calling for immediate support. With cuts to teacher salaries, they will be forced to find other work just to get by, thereby reducing SOPUDEP's effectiveness. Turning away students would become a very real possibility.

We need a minimum of $6000 (US) to get through the next three months. We are currently preparing a longer-term financial appeal which will allow us to avoid such shortfalls in the future.

SOPUDEP School is a critical social program in Haiti and is one integral to the future of its people. This is a unique program that serves as an example of what education should look like in Haiti. It is one that needs our care and support!

Thank you!

Ryan Sawatzky, President

“PayPal” or “Canada Helps” Internet Payments can be made through:

DONATE
(at the bottom of the page)

Cheques and Money Orders can be sent to:

The Sawatzky Family Foundation
PO Box 626, Station Main
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
L3V 6K5

If you wish to contact us for more info or comments:

sawatzkyfamilyfoundation@gmail.com
phone: (705) 345-5593