UPCOMING & ONGOING PROJECTS
Cling Polytechnic School of Haiti
The Cling Polytechnic School of Haiti (Cling PSH) is Cling's first building project. Partnering with the Good Samaritan Haitian Alliance Church (GSHAC) the school was built on land where GSHAC already had connections and had previously established a church.
Initial considerations for this building included an orphanage, but after learning that there was already an excess of orphanages in existence and that there was a pressing need for support once children age out of orphanage care at 18, the priority shifted. Many young adults in Haiti lack formal education or job skills, and in addition to financial hardship this leaves them particularly vulnerable to prostitution or gang involvement. By building and equipping Cling PSH the goal is to provide a usable education to help these young adults gain safe and healthy financial means.
The ground breaking took place in early 2020, but due to multiple external issues, including a presidential assassination, ongoing violence, and Covid-19, construction was not completed until September 2022. Once construction was complete classes began and though Cling team members have been unable to return to Haiti since then the school remains open.
While the student enrollment is currently reduced due to the ongoing turmoil in Haiti, there are still courses being offered 7 days a week, and based on community feedback, the school offers courses in: English, Tiling, Computer, Sewing, Plumbing, Technical Windows and Electricity.
Despite countless obstacles the school continues to serve as a symbol of hope for the community.
Houses in Bateyes of Dominican Republic
In response to needs from a Haitian community in the Dominican Republic that had been impacted during a hurricane in 2020 there were support trips made that led to lasting community relationships. During some of those initial trips to the Dominican Republic Cling & GSHAC members met with community leaders and learned that they were living in unsuitable conditions under tin lean-tos without electricity or running water. GSHAC and Cling decided to further collaborate to improve these housing conditions and together, the funding and construction of two homes with multiple rooms, electricity and running water were completed.
Batey Margarita Technical School- Dominican Republic
Through ongoing involvement with the leaders and members of the communities in the Dominican Republic a significant need for improved access to education was discovered. In the centrally located Batey Margarita, our friend and prominent community member Pastor Jacobo Benjamín offered a portion of his land, to build a trade school. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in January 2024 and construction was completed in July 2024. At this point classes are anticipated to begin in January 2025, once furnishings and other necessary materials are in place. Based on community feedback the courses offered will be: English, Sewing, Cosmetology, Computers, Electricity and Plumbing.
Clean Water Provision
Many communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic lack access to clean water, and some have no water at all during the dry season. For several years, Cling has been sending water trucks to multiple communities outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In 2022, Cling purchased a water delivery truck to improve reliability and reduce costs. In addition, a full-time driver was employed to maximize the ability to provide water as needed. Ronald has not only improved the consistency of the water deliveries but has built strong relationships, helping Cling to better understand the needs of the communities themselves.
In fall 2024, a well will be dug on the same property of the anticipated Heidi Shultz Memorial Hospital of Haiti Mejia. This will serve as an access point to clean water for that community.