The mission of Sister Cities Essex-Haiti (“SCEH”) is to build a mutual long-term sustainable relationship between the people of Essex, Connecticut, USA and the people of Deschapelles, Haiti, their extended communities, and Hospital Albert Schweitzer located in Deschapelles.  Sister Cities Essex Haiti works to build cooperation between the people of these communities, enabling them to learn, work and solve problems together through an exchange of educational, cultural, professional, municipal, business, and technical initiatives and projects.

In support of the mission of Sister Cities Essex Haiti, we:

(1) actively support Hospital Albert Schweitzer by raising funds for HAS and by informing Connecticut-area residents of its good works;

ODES

(2) work collaboratively with Organization pour Development Economique et Social (ODES), a volunteer group in Deschapelles, Haiti, to identify and pursue projects that are needed or desired in their community; and

Essex Elementary School Read-a-Thon

(3) engage in initiatives in southeastern Connecticut that increase awareness of Haiti and its unique culture.

As of December 2011, four projects are underway: (1) the creation of a community library in Deschapelles, (2) a musical collaboration among musicians and music lovers in southeastern Connecticut and Deschapelles,  (3) an early education teacher training program, and (4) a  sports program.

Sister Cities Essex Haiti was created by residents of the Town of Essex in the Spring of 2010.  It reaches far beyond the borders of Essex, however, with participation by volunteers and board members throughout Connecticut. Residency in the Town of Essex is not a requirement for involvement with SCEH. We welcome any and all volunteers who would like to join us in supporting Hospital Albert Schweitzer and our projects in Haiti.  For more information about the creation of Sister Cities Essex Haiti, click here.

Sister Cities Essex Haiti has established a designated fund at Middlesex County Community Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations to SCEH are made through MCCF and are tax-deductible according to federal guidelines.  SCEH is a member of Sister Cities International, Inc., an organization formed in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a means by which to encourage cultural understanding, economic relationships, and humanitarian projects.

Current Happenings 

Have a Heart for Haiti Fundraiser

Have a Heart for Haiti Fundraiser.  Please join us at our next celebration of our support of Hospital Albert Schweitzer and our community projects in Deschapelles to be held on Friday, March 2, between 5:30 and 8:00 at the Left Bank Gallery, Main Street, Essex. To learn more about it, please click here Have a Heart for Haiti Fundraiser.  You may purchase tickets at the door or on-line by clicking here.

Library Update

The site for the library

Some very exciting news!  In February 2012, a long-term renewable lease agreement was entered into with a Haitian-American for a parcel of land located near the main road running through the center of Deschapelles. Previously used for growing crops, the land is highly suitable for constructing a library building.

Discussing the library, Lessor and Terry Smith, Chair of SCEH Library Committee

A subcommittee of the Essex Library Committee has already begun the design phase of the project. As this building will be of major importance to the community we are working to ensure that it reflects well on the community and Haitian culture.

As we move forward with the construction of the library, we already have selected three individuals to run the library, two of whom have already  received librarian-skills training at FOKAL in Port au Prince.

In the meantime, efforts are underway to raise funds for the library.  The Chester, Deep River and Essex Rotary Clubs have committed to purchase 1,000 books for the library–an effort well underway. Thank-you!  And students at Essex Elementary School held a Read-a-Thon in the spring of 2011 raising $8,275.  Thank-you!  And thanks to all those who have participated in all  the other efforts to support Sister Cities Essex Haiti.  Click here to learn more about these fundraising initiatives.

And to learn more about these exciting library developments, please click here.

SCEH Board members and lessor at the signing of the land lease for the library