The FREES Project is a fundraising initiative dedicated to empowering the students of Ecole Nationale de Les Anglais (ENDLA) in Haiti.
I am Matthew Mannion, a high school student in Massachusetts. I am leading The FREES Project in honor of my mother's birthplace, Les Anglais, Haiti.
When my mom shared a video of Haitian families eating mud pies, I immediately thought of what more I could do to help Haiti. They were eating mud pies to fill their stomachs because they had nothing else to eat.
I am a Haitian American. My uncles and cousins attended ENDLA while my aunts attended ENDLA's sister school. My grandmother used to cook breakfast
and lunch for the students at ENDLA.
I met virtually with Patricia Cadet, the principal of ENDLA, to formally establish the fundraising project. I also met with the CEO of Agrivaj, Mr. Jean Etienne Charles; local farmers; my uncle, Rev. Roland; and relatives who once attended ENDLA, to cultivate a better understanding of Haiti's and ENDLA's needs.
Over 50% of schools in Haiti lack proper canteen facilities, especially in rural regions, including ENDLA.
Approximately 60% of Haitian children attending school rely on school meals as their primary, if not sole, source of daily nutrition.
After the 2010 earthquake, an estimated 4,000 schools were damaged or destroyed. As of 2021, up to 25% of schools in affected areas still operated in subpar conditions, including ENDLA.
EDNLA's school cafeteria to ensure healthy eating for students reliant on school meals
ENDLA's own sustainable school farm to nourish 400 students year-round
EDNLA's leaking roofs to ensure safe and continuous learning, especially during the rain
A stipend for seven students at ENDLA to maintain the school farm, where they will receive $60/mo.
Copyright © 2024 FREES - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.