Our parish has been involved in a Haiti parish support/twinning program since the early 2000s. The Notre Dame de Esperance (Our Lady of Hope) parish in Magagnosse is our twin parish. Our focus is on supporting the elementary school connected to the parish, St. Mary's (Sainte Marie) School. 

St. E’s donations sustain St. Mary's School, including funding for school lunches. Past support has also included a modest “nurses’ station”; improvements to latrines; helping the pastor buy a (used) vehicle; renewal of a corrugated roof over part of the school; provision of a cistern on the hill; a large water tank; modest livestock and planting support; an expansion of classrooms; and a Youth Group donation to the school, including fun items for the children.

Thank you again for your contribution throughout the year for St. Mary's. The school would not exist without St. Elizabeth’s financial support! To donate via Faith Direct, please click here.

The 2024-2025 school year continues and there are 210 students currently enrolled. See the class photos in our gallery below. St. Mary’s school remains the major provider of pre-school and elementary school education in the Magagnosse area. Having grown from small beginnings, the school continues to cater to well over 200 students  (210 this year, after adjusting for the streaming out of the older cohort and intake of starters). With your support, the school continues to be strong and play a very significant role in the local community. Fr. Mario sends heartfelt thanks from himself, the school, and the Magagnosse Community!

Your continued support is sorely needed. Students, parents and staff are counting on it! Teachers and staff provide a safe space for learning and the one nutritious meal students can count on each (school) day. Indirectly, you are also contributing to a safer and more stable environment in this part of Haiti.

A record number of 231 students were enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year. An increase of 40 (!) students compared with 2021-2022 (191 students). Education starts at pre-K and currently goes through elementary school. The school has been recognized in the region for the quality of education and dedication of the staff. This is no easy feat for a school in a poor mountainous area, and in a poor country continuously facing security challenges. 

For reference: 

• Names are on record with St. E. We receive monthly accounting of expenses, so we know the contributions are used responsibly.
• Haiti continues to present serious security risks. No position or profession is excepted. Fortunately, levels of crime are lower in the area in which the school we support is located.
• Haiti is the poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Infrastructure, health care coverage, school distribution, roads, water, electricity etc. are particularly poor in rural areas. 

Please reach out to Deacon Mark Asselin or parishioner, Fons Marcelis, for more information!