When I visited Mazednod in April 2010 with two other members of the association Haiti-Futur, I was struck by the difference between the prestigious image I had of Mazenod since when I was young, and the amount of deterioration that I discovered during my recent visit.

We met several times with Father Pascal Fanor, the Director; with Father Jolicoeur Dominique, the Assistant Director; and with Father Laudy Merilant, Director of the Père Gérard’s school. Those meetings convinced me that Mazenod not only needs financial support

Jolicoeur Dominique (directeur-adjoint du Séminaire-Collège et interlocuteur d'Haïti Futur pour le projet du renouveau) avec Josette Thomas-Bruffaerts, présidente d'Haïti Futur.

for the eight (8) projects that we discussed, but that resource could and should be provided in priority by those who benefited from the quality education they received at Mazenod which allowed them to obtain the important positions they occupy today.

I have suggested to Haiti-Futur that they should call upon all former students of Mazenod and all friends of Camp-Perrin from around the world, to inform them of the different needs, to relay the will and the hopes of the current school administration, and to organize a Fund Raising for Mazenod.

In order to launch this new project for Mazenod, we would like to invite all former Mazenodians who will be in Camp Perrin at the end of July to attend Sainte Anne’s Feast Day and get-together for a meeting of friendship at the school of Mazenod itself between 02:00 and 06:00 P.M on 25 July.

The Get-together on 25 July 2010 in Mazenod

All former students to whom we mentioned this project were very enthusiastic. Father Fanor and Father Dominique are looking forward to welcome all Mazenodians for an afternoon of discussions and exchange of ideas, of story telling about old times at Mazenod, and to a relaxing afternoon in the company of the new generation of students.

Haiti-Futur will provide more information on its web site regarding the program as soon as it is available. We will notify by e-mail all of those who would have informed us of their participation with the attached questionnaire.

Eight new projects

The eight projects we discussed are not the same nature and are not on the same scale. However, they all can significantly improve education conditions at Mazenod and they are financially within reasonable means if all of you contribute:


1) The renovation of the Library

The current Library is not equal to the reputation of Mazenod. It has to be renovated and new contemporary books acquired. The Library should be converted into a more comfortable area, well lighten, and a more suitable space for learning..

2) The modernization of the computer Lab (more recent equipment, Internet access for each computer..) and the experimentation of distance-learning classes.

The Computer lab should have Internet connection for each of the computers, more modern equipment and software, as well as new teaching material should be acquired. In addition, distance-learning classes should be considered.

3) Creation of the Physic and Chemistry Laboratory

The absence of a Science Lab is palpable in the teaching of these two courses. One should definitely be created.

4) Creation of a Cafeteria

This would be an answer to the shortage of food among the students, in particular those who leave their houses very early in the morning and have to walk several kilometers to get to school often without having eaten anything at home and have to wait until lunchtime.

5) Financial support for the Père Gérard school headed by Father Laudy Mérilant for the poorest children of the area.

This is a primary school for children whose parents are too poor to send them to other schools where they would have to pay. The school needs financial support to cover the salaries of the teachers.

6) Initiation to agronomy (nursery, fruits and vegetables orchards and pork breeding and chicken farming)

Create a mini farm to initiate the students to the local resources in which they live.

7) Creation of a Technical/Vocational School

A vocational school would contribute to guide some of the students at the end of the secondary school toward investing their competences in the development of their region.

8) Creation of a Mazenod Memorial (to collect information on the history of Mazenod, analyze the archives and digitalization of the information).

Some of the students and teachers who attend Mazenod in the early years are very old today. It is time to collect the history of Mazenod from them, its contribution to the region and to the entire Haitian nation.

This list is the product of discussions between the Principals of Mazenod, the current students, and Haiti-Futur. These projects are not listed by order of priority nor by costs. They will all be carried out successfully if the former Mazenodians become aware of the illustrious role that is required of them for the development and the renewal of this institution.

Dear friends and former Mazenodians, in the name of the entire team of Mazanod, of the headmasters, of the teachers, and of today’s students and mostly for tomorrow’s students, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your participation in this new solidarity project which could become an example for all schools of Haiti.

MThank you in advance for your generosity and most of all thank you also for the testimony (the brief summary of your years at Mazenod) that you will send us either by e-mail or by coming personally to take part in the festivities on Sainte Anne’s feast day on 25 July.

By filling the attached questionnaire you will help us a great deal. You will take a major part in the renewal of Mazenod, and it will be a testimony that together and in solidarity with the future generations, we can lift mountains...

Hope to see you very soon,

Josette Thomas-Bruffaerts