Our Work

This was the beginning of Out of Poverty Thru Education.

Our goal was simple!

Help some of these poor, many orphaned Haitian children, to get an education so they didn’t have to be in situations that are unfair to humans much less children.

Read George (Skip) Wrape Jr.'s Testimony Below

Life Before

"The Project for the school in Haiti began with very modest beginnings. I was looking for a simple Rotary International project like I had done before."

Prospective Students

"I was invited to Haiti to see orphan children going to school under trees. I now realize I was set up by Fr. Rahab Isidor as the children were coached to sing to me and gave me two bags of rice and two bottles of Haitian Rum. The experience began!!!"

fundraising

"I implored the help of the local Rotary Club, Cape Girardeau West, and we formed a group from Church that had experiences in Haiti. The groups were formed for fundraising and seeing what a school would look like. The school was to be built in Thomassique, Haiti, a town east of Hinche in the center of the country but close to the Dominican border. Trips were planned and a determined effort was made.

Rotary International was not able to help build a building under the programs we were using. We found it necessary to start a Missouri non-for-profit to raise money for the school."

construction

"We were able to negotiate to get the land donated. We had a plan and began in earnest. Then the earthquake hit!!! Our group was on the way down and landed in Fort Lauderdale when it hit.

It was devastating for Port au Prince, the Capital. This poor country was given another serious blow. It put us back 18 months in construction etc.

We were able to regroup! We got additional Rotary Funds and continued construction. The next three years showed frustration but fortitude. The school was opened in 2016. The committee

that was formed in Haiti did an excellent job of organization personnel hiring. Hope Academy was dedicated!"

hope academy

"In the following year the school was taken over by a group from Springfield, MO headed up by Larry O’Reilly and Colin Macalister.

There is a small health clinic attached to the school. It has won awards for organization and cleanliness. Children are able to receive food at the school from Convoy of Hope. Recent graduates all passed necessary Haitian requirements."

Clean water

A clean water pump was installed and utilized for safe water for the students and staff.

the Students

"The school is now home to over 400 students utilizing both morning and evening classes. Of course, the need is still great to continue the operation of this school in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere."

God Is Great!!!!

meeting the community