A Story of Collaboration
<b>The Haiti Project</b>
Ile a Vache is a small island located on the southern coast of Haiti, and La Hatte is avillage on that island. The Rotary Club of Tortola rst learned about La Hatte and
Ile a Vache from Michael "Beans" Gardner, a singer and entertainer based in the British Virgin Islands who visited the island several years ago. Moved by what he saw and experienced there, Gardner established a foundation with his own funds which in turn opened the Good Samaritan School. The school is for poor and
orphaned children who otherwise would not be able to attend school. It is free and open to all.
In 2008, Gardner spoke to the Rotary Club of Tortola about his foundation. The Rotary Club of Tortola made contact with Haiti Assistant Governor Dr. Robert Leger and members of the Rotary Club of Les Cayes. We asked them to visit the island and judge whether the community and the school were good candidates for a Rotary service project.
Encouraged by what the Les Cayes Rotarians reported back, the Rotary Club of Tortola began its support of the Good Samaritan School, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Les Cayes. Since 2008, the clubs have together paid teacher salaries and provided six water storage tanks to ensure a supply of clean drinking water. The Les Cayes and Tortola Rotary Clubs have pledged to continue their partnership to ensure that all funds raised for the Good Samaritan School are put to the intended use and truly help the children of Ile a Vache.
In 2008, Gardner spoke to the Rotary Club of Tortola about his foundation. The Rotary Club of Tortola made contact with Haiti Assistant Governor Dr. Robert Leger and members of the Rotary Club of Les Cayes. We asked them to visit the island and judge whether the community and the school were good candidates for a Rotary service project.
Encouraged by what the Les Cayes Rotarians reported back, the Rotary Club of Tortola began its support of the Good Samaritan School, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Les Cayes. Since 2008, the clubs have together paid teacher salaries and provided six water storage tanks to ensure a supply of clean drinking water. The Les Cayes and Tortola Rotary Clubs have pledged to continue their partnership to ensure that all funds raised for the Good Samaritan School are put to the intended use and truly help the children of Ile a Vache.