The Jacqueline Lessard Foundation, Imavision and Oxfam-Québec undertake the construction of an orphanage and a school in Haiti

Jacqueline Lessard, Imavision and Oxfam-Québec announce the construction of the Espoir d’enfants Orphanage and School in Croix-des-Bouquets, a suburb of Port-au-Prince in Haiti.

Jacqueline Lessard, originally from Alma, has been working with underprivileged Haitian children for over 14 years. After a difficult process, this mother of seven children founded the Espoir d’enfants Orphanage. On January 12, 2010, she saw her establishment collapse, which until then sheltered, fed and treated over sixty children and adolescents now forced to sleep outside.

“The earthquake is still fresh in my mind. Sometimes, I feel the ground shake inside of me. But what counts most is to offer a future to these children, to give them care and education. My dream and that of Étienne Bruny, my partner since the very beginning, without whom I couldn’t continue caring for the children, is finally coming true. My timouns, and all the other children who will now come, will have their orphanage and their school. Thank you to everyone who made this dream a reality! I feel that the whole province wants to help the children, it’s so touching for me” related Jacqueline Lessard.

The project includes four buildings which will accommodate 100 orphans, whereas the school will welcome 400 children every day from the surrounding area. Construction is scheduled to start before the end of 2010.

About fifteen young adults from Quebec, graduates of construction trades schools will actively take part in the construction on site in Croix-des-Bouquets, together with Haitian workers.

The founders of the project: Imavision’s Mylène Béliveau and Pierre Paquet, and Luc Châtelain from Écho Média, launched less than a month after the tragedy the construction project that is announced today. They then presented the project to Oxfam-Québec, in order to invite the organization to participate in its elaboration and to ensure its implementation.

“Oxfam-Québec appreciates this collaboration with The Jacqueline Lessard Foundation. Our short-term support involves the reconstruction of the Espoir d’enfants Orphanage and School. In the mid-term and long-term, Oxfam-Québec wants to contribute to the economic rehabilitation of these young people” outlined Michel Verret, assistant director of Oxfam-Québec.

FUNDRAISING

To this day, 60% of the necessary funds of $1,400,000 have been provided by partners, businesses and organizations from Quebec, whose support has been exceptional.

In addition, public support is now essential to complete the final phases of the project. Starting today and until October 25th, Couche-Tard and Groupe Jean Coutu are opening their respective network of stores province-wide to accept donations.

CONSTRUCTION

The building will be constructed according to the paraseismic and paracyclonic norms in effect in Canada. Moreover, the plans are adapted to meet the needs of the children and future students, to secure their autonomy in regards to water, electricity and food in case of emergency. For example, mango trees and a garden guarantee a constant supply of food.

The school will be open to all the children of the community, one of the poorest of Port-au-Prince. Future students will have access to free education, unlike 80% of schools of the Haitian educational system, which have a tuition fee.

A PROJECT FROM THE HEART

“In a few seconds, Mrs Lessard’s orphanage and her 14 years of hard work crumbled. Two weeks later, Mylène Béliveau was on location. With a lot of work, surely inspired by Mrs Lessard’s determination, Mylène lay one by one the stones leading to the realization of this project. It’s thanks to these two inspired and inspiring women that the timouns will have hope again. I’m proud to bring my humble contribution” stated Luc Châtelain, President, Écho Média.

“In seeing the images of the destroyed orphanage and especially of the children who lost the little they had, Mylène Béliveau, producer at Imavision, proposed that I participate in the reconstruction. The opportunity was ideal to offer solace to these children even more in need than before and above all, to concretely help them. And to do it for the benefit of Mrs Lessard’s dream, a dedicated lady who for years has devoted her life to her timouns, is a privilege” declared Pierre Paquet, President, Imavision.

“In the moments of discouragement with what happened and continues to happen in Haiti, Jacqueline Lessard’s example is inspiring for us all. Courage, determination, generosity, this project brings out the best in us, and the best in Quebec. We are improving the life of children among the poorest in the world; first and foremost, it’s a project that comes from the heart” said Mylène Béliveau, in charge of the project.

The Espoir d’enfants Orphanage and School project was made possible through the support of many businesses, such as construction specialists: Architectes de l’urgence, Pomerleau, Provencher Roy+associés, Groupe SM International and CIMA+ and Couche-Tard, Groupe Jean Coutu, Fasken Martineau, Simplex, Air Transat, lg2, Commission scolaire de Montréal,
Centrale des syndicats du Québec and Banque Scotia.