Chiraque
A small mountain village above Jeremie.
 DSC_5630 |  DSC_6540 |  DSC_6454 |
|---|---|---|
 DSC_6491 |  School was held outside under a tarpWithout a school building, classes are held outside under a tarp and in the church. |  Classes are crowded into the churchWithout a school building, classes are crowded into the church building. Several classes are held at the same time. |
 Construction of church pewsIn 2013, the projects included building new pews for the church. |  Building church pewsIn 2013, the projects included building new pews for the church. |  The new church pewsIn 2013, the projects included building new pews for the church. |
 The new church pewsIn 2013, the projects included building new pews for the church. |  The new benches for the school |  The new benchesThe new benches in the school. |
 The Old School |  The Old School |  Rocks for the foundationRocks are carried up the mountain for the foundation building. |
 Supplies are carried up the mountain |  Water is carried up the mountain |  Construction of the new school |
 Construction of the new school |  Construction of the new schoolWork is done by the whole village. |  Construction of the new school |
 Construction of the new school |  Construction of the new school |  Homes in the village |
 The path up the mountain |  Fluoride Treatments on the children |  Fluoride treatments |
 Fluoride Treatments |  A child treated by the medical team |  Medical treatments |
A 20 minute climb up the mountain brings you to a small Methodist school and church.
This mountain village is about a one hour drive from Jeremie and a twenty minute walk up a steep incline to the summit where the Methodist Church and School are located. Over 300 people attend church and approximately 300 children attend the school. The school is crumbling and bursting at the seams with kids. A new two-room school building is completed, alleviating the classes that were previously held outside, under tarps. Phase two of this project is to demolish and rebuild the existing school building.
2016 brought the first Solar Power array to Chiraque. Solar panels were installed on a portion of the church roof to providing electricity for lights and power strips to the church and to the new two-room school building. Laptops and projectors can now be reliably recharged for school room use and the church can now be available for use for evening choir practice and other activities.
While the sounds of construction surround the church, the interior is used as a medical and dental triage area. Clients are assessed, notes taken, and treatments provided. Simple cases are treated on the spot and more serious cases are sent to Gebeau Clinic for further care. Dental flouride treatements are given to the children. And much needed clothing is distributed.