The roots of Education for Prosperity's efforts in Haiti lie in the "town hall meeting" shown to the left. In August 1999 Pierre Balthazar and David Smith (standing in the middle) visited Pichon to attend this gathering arranged by Pierre's brother, Liné, who directs a Haiti-based non-profit organization dedicated to rural development. The purpose of the meeting was to ask local people what they would like to do in their village that could be supported by grassroots efforts in the U.S. The material needs of the village were many, given that they had no jobs , no healthcare, no electricity, and no fresh drinking water. A quick consensus emerged from the consultation--they wished to have a school for their children.
In January 2000 enough funds were raised to hire the first teachers and launch Lekol Pa Nou (Creole for "Our School") to serve pre-school through first grade students. As the years went by additional grades were added, new teachers were hired, classroom were donated by European relief agencies, and the network of supporters in the U.S. and Canada expanded to keep pace with the growing financial needs. Lekol Pa Nou has had four classes of graduates and is recognized as one of the best schools in southeast Haiti.
Importantly, the idea for the school came from local residents. They have given it their solid support over the years and they have a strong sense of ownership for its emerging success. They are the ones who named it "Our School."