Govt. holds first official opening of reconstructed school since Hurricane Maria

Paixbouche school

The Paix Bouche Primary and Pre-schools on Thursday became the first reconstructed schools since the passage of Hurricane Maria to be officially opened.

The schools were reconstructed with resilient features to provide safety to all the students who will be schooled there.

The work was done by an organization from the United States called All Hands and Hearts Smart Response, comprising over 40 volunteers from France, Germany, Australia, Bolivia, France, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada,  Israel, Spain, St Lucia and Dominica, among others.

 Principal of the Paix Bouche Primary School, Magdalene Honore, who spoke via video during the official handing over ceremony, said it has been a long journey for the school following the passage of Hurricane Maria.

“Hence, we at the Paix Bouche Primary School have to rejoice and give all the praise and glory to God almighty for having brought us this far,” she said.

Honore considers a true blessing, the selection of the school for repairs by All Hands and Heart Smart Response Organization, who she said, first expressed an interest during a visit to the learning institution on January 15th, 2018.

“At first I was a bit skeptical as others had visited and did not return with any word of assurance,” she explained, adding: “I must say on the onset I began to feel a sense of hope that this organization truly meant business.”

She went on to say that the frequency of their visits, the pertinent questions asked, the interviews, and the professionalism exhibited, all made her feel that something positive would result from all of those efforts.

“I therefore created every avenue to ensure that this project would become a reality…,” she said and pointed out that the school is now in a better position to deliver quality education to students.

“We now have additional classroom space, a staff room, a bigger kitchen, emergency exit doors, not forgetting a school plant that is now more resilient to hurricanes and earthquakes and much more,” she revealed.

One of the Founders of All Hands and Heart Smart Response Organization, Petra Němcová, who was addressing the ceremony said, “We are on this journey called life together. Today someone else may need help and tomorrow we may be the ones in need.”

To all those present at a ceremony who lent a hand in the reconstruction of the school, Němcová said their unconditional love humbles her deeply and gives her hope for humanity.

“Your care and unconditional love made it possible that today we are reopening the first schools in Dominica after Hurricane Maria,” Němcová noted.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Chandler Hyacinth, said extensive work was done in retrofitting the school for seismic risk by the columns and tying of the columns and the walls.

“The type of roof that is placed on the school with the hard wood, the greenheart wood from Guyana and other aspects of the retrofitting that was done, will make Paix Bouche Primary School resilient,” she asserted. “It will be able to withstand not just a category 5 Hurricane but also seismic risks.”

In September 2018, the Paix Bouche Primary School school will celebrate its 55th years Anniversary since it opened its doors.

Other primary schools which have been reconstructed since Maria include the Colihaut Primary, The Jones Beaupierre Primary at La Plaine, and the Delices Primary.

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11 Comments

  1. Anne Fevrier
    August 21, 2018

    Thanks to all Those of you who gave your support in helping Dominica at that sad time .Many blessings.

  2. Anne Fevrier
    August 21, 2018

    Thank to all those who gave there Support in helping Dominicans Back on there feet .May God bless you all I wish you all the best for the future. May God Bless you all.

  3. Hope
    August 17, 2018

    Wonderful work. To All Hands and Heart Smart Response we say thank you so much for your help. …you gave us assistance when we most needed it. Thank you so much! Know that the whole country is grateful for what you have done for our children. Thank you for the good work! You are always welcomed on this is and.

  4. AP George
    August 17, 2018

    Nothing against All Hands and Hearts Smart Response, but I’m thinking the government should have taken leadership in moving forward their climate resilient strategy. Like provide rebuilding plans that would help achieve that end. Not sure if the roof can withstand another Maria. The strategic planning on the part of gov’t is just lacking.

    Nonetheless, much thanks to All Hands and Hearts Smart Response for their unwavering support and assistance in this time of need.

  5. MWEN ENKOR
    August 17, 2018

    This is where I got my primary education. Thank God for those who made it possible.
    I encourage the villagers to take good care of it.

  6. Ibo France
    August 17, 2018

    This is a heart-warming story. One of the founders of the foreign organization that renovated the school, All Hands and Hearts Smart Response said, “We are on a journey called life together.” This terse statement should be very instructive to all Dominicans especially those who are in control of the country’s affairs. Together, we are better. Together, the impossible is possible. The hyper partisan politics MUST stop . Inclusivity must become the mantra of the country. The Divide and Rule strategy is an antiquated tactic that has never brought prosperity to a country. There needs to be a paradigm shift. There needs to be a revolutionary change in the conduct of the politics that obtains at present. Use the best and brightest Dominicans, home and abroad, to participate in all aspects of governance regardless to political affiliations. Only then the country will be on a path to true success. Please!

  7. system currupt
    August 17, 2018

    in a year that’s the one and only school y’all repair and y’all feeling like is so much that’s been accomplish

    • WeNiceMan
      August 17, 2018

      Y’all?? SMH!! I swear our people can be so pathetic.

    • Tutor
      August 17, 2018

      First to be completed! Your negativity is so unnecessary! Just say thank you, you ungrateful creature!

    • Yoww
      August 19, 2018

      Well kudos to the organization..but on the other hand the government should use Sumer holidays to fix the school around the island..next month school begins..some schools are yet to be covered..so the kids going back in tents then? Just a complete lapse! Almost a year SMH!

  8. I love the US
    August 17, 2018

    So while Skerrit is not a friend of the US and is trying to get the US out of Dominica, I hope he realizes that it was not Venezuela, Russia, North Korea or China that built the first post Maria School but an AMERICAN company.

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