Educational Programs

Renaissance Elementary School: Au Centre had no public elementary school, nor any municipal land to build one on. In 2004 we began giving scholarships to a handful kids who were otherwise unable to start school. Since then the program has grown.

In 2005 we founded the Renaissance Elementary School, providing pre-school to grade 4 education. We are now offering free education and a hot meal to 125 children. We employ 5 teachers and a school director. Click to learn more about how our school is run.Our 4-room schoolhouse soon overflowed. We had to refuse 25 kids last year, and needed to add 5th and 6th Grade classes. So we are now building our own school building.

The foundations were poured by the whole village in 2007, and in August 2008 just as the first bands of rain from Hurricane Gustav arrived, the concrete roof was completed! The eight-room schoolhouse is already housing 190 students while doors and windows and new desks etc. are built and fitted.

This is a great achievement for Au Centre and HCS, thanks to all our sponsors!

School Lunch Program: Because our students were coming to school hungry, we instituted a school lunch program. Our lunch is often the only hot meal our kids get in a day. In one semester, we served over 12,500 lunches to 125 children. We are now approaching 60,000 meals per year in the school and surrounding area.

Sponsor A Child Program: We fund the Renaissance Elementary School through individual donors sponsoring individual children. Your donation of $500 per year will provide schooling and regular hot meals plus medical care for a child who would not otherwise have it. Donors pledge $500 annually. There are always so many great kids to help! Click to learn how to Sponsor A Child. Pictures of the children are online, see link on homepage!

Teacher Training: We plan to give our teachers an intensive summer course in primary education, teaching and curriculum.

Adult Education: We've begun women's education and vocation classes (women's health, sewing, nutrition, literacy). Men's tailoring class starts soon!

A donation of $10,000 towards our Educational Programs will cover school lunch program, teachers salaries, women's education classes.