Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! ~ Psalm 150:6

Project Overview
Project Justification
Project Location
Project Activities
Adoration Christian School Logo

Note: On January 12, 2010 at 7.0 Earthquake hit the Port-au-Prince area of Haiti. In this earthquake the facilities used by the Adoration Christian Centre collapsed. As a result, the directors and staff of Adoration have changed the short term focus from Education to Disaster Relief. It is our hope that we may continue to be a light to the community in which we serve and that in due time, the Lord Willing, much of our programs will be restored. Until such time, some of the activities describe on the web page will either not be offered to the community or will be offered in some other form.

Adoration Christian Centre is CDIA’s only project at the present time. Adoration Christian Centre is the location of Adoration Christian School, provides a regular medical clinic, provides community programs and Bible instruction. Also the facility is used by the First Presbetyrian Church of Port-au-Prince for worship. At Adoration Christian School children from Delmas area, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti are offered a Christian education, two nutritious meals, and medical care if they need it. Most of the children at Adoration school would not be able to otherwise attend schools because of poverty or disability. Grades Kindergarten through grade five are offered, as well as a special needs class to 120 students. Children begin their day with devotions and receive a Christian education. Classes run from 8:00am through 1:00pm.

The school employs 8 teachers, 2 teacher assistants, two cooks, and 4 groundskeepers. Four young men live on the grounds in a small residence, and serve as groundskeepers and guards during non-school hours.

Coram Deo International Aid sponsors approximately 70 secondary students. Many of these students are graduates of the school, and also include some of the teachers at Adoration, who teach in the morning and attend classes in the afternoons. In addition, they also sponsor 10-15 special needs students to various schools.

Present directors of the project are Randy and Karen Lodder. Former southern Ontario residents, Randy and Karen endeavour to give structure and support to staff and students whom the Lord has placed in the care of CDIA.

Click Here to read a testimonial from Randy and Karen. Kim Grinhuis is the school administrator and is responsible for the management of the day to day operations of the school.

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Project Details

Justification:

Why does Coram Deo International Aid run a school in Haiti? Education in Haiti is not publically funded. Most schools are private enterprises, and families are expected to pay all fees, including tuition, uniform costs and other school supply costs. As a result there are many, many children in Haiti who are not able to attend school. Haiti has a literacy rate of only 45%.

Secondly the disabled child in Haiti is generally not welcomed in society. Many schools will not allow physically or mentally handicapped children to register for classes. This may be in part due to lack of resources, but there is also a distinct bias against people with disabilities in Haitian society.

Through Adoration Christian school, CDIA hopes share God’s love to students through Christian education, training in Scriptural truth, medical and nutritional aid. It is our desire to see Haitian staff and students prepared for a life of service to the Lord and to the society in which they live.

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Location:

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Map of Haiti

Adoration Christian school serves families in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince. Children walk to and from school, most living within a 3 km radius. Adoration school is housed in a two story building with 7 classrooms, a library/conference room, kitchen and small office. Also on the property is a small outbuilding which serves as a residence for the grounds keepers. The property is protected by a wall on all sides. The school yard is mostly concrete, so that children can play basketball and skipping during recreation time.

In the future, Directors Randy and Karen Lodder, would love to see the roof, which is flat and has a railing all around, given a large awning which could facilitate larger assemblies or parent evenings.

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Main Activities:

Classes: Adoration Christian School offers a Kindergarten class, Grades one through five. A special education class is offered for students with disabilities which prevent them from attending regular classes. Students are taught from a Christian perspective, and Bible story classes are featured every day. There are approximately 120 students. Tuition for these students is free.

Tuition Assistance: Students who have graduated from Grade five and show promise are sponsored by CDIA for their education at secondary or post secondary schools. These sponsored students are approached by the school directors, and are assisted by them to register, acquire books and uniforms, and pay tuition. These students are expected to repay CDIA through the performing of certain chores in Adoration school (e.g. cleaning the building) under the leadership of the directors.

Meal Program: All students, staff and visitors to the school receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch. The meal usually consists of traditional Haitian fare: rice and beans. For some students, the school is their main source of daily nutrition.

Mentoring Program: Randy and Karen host a weekly Bible study for young men in their home. Participants spend time in study of topics from the Bible or catechism to help them gain a deeper understanding of what God is saying to them in His word. They can also have some time to discuss more personal aspects of Christian living and serving God in their lives.

Medical Clinic: Ed Amos, a physician's assistant form New Hampshire, runs a medical clinic out of Adoration Christian School. On Tuesday and Thursday he comes from 9-3 and sees about 50 patients with medical problems. Wednesday he comes from 9-1 and can see up to 15 patients with dental problems. The clinic is open to the children attending Adoration school, their relatives and friends, as well as people from the neighbourhood.