Delivering Funds to Haiti

Assistant Headmaster Paul Cyr-Mutty had been planning to go to Haiti to work at an orphanage in the city of Les Cayes for the past few months. The January 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince put doubt into his mind about whether or not he could make it to Les Cayes, which is in the southern section of Haiti, at all. He found out a few weeks ago that he would be able to travel to the orphanage during March break to offer his help and services for ten days. He will be taking with him approximately $1,000 raised by Eaglebrook students that will help buy much needed supplies at the orphanage. Eaglebrook students raised the money selling noodles after sports, and by buying treats at the snack bar during the Varsity Hockey tournament and the Nick Whyte Invitational Swim Meet held earlier in February. Individuals and advisee groups also chipped in money to add to the fund.

Mr. Cyr-Mutty is traveling to Haiti through a Mayer Grant. Gerald Mayer ‘44, longtime president of Eaglebrook’s Board of Trustees and his mother Maria, started the General William Mayer Faculty Study and Benefits Fund in 1980. The fund provides the school’s faculty and staff with opportunities for travel, study, and development. This will be Mr. Cyr-Mutty’s second trip to Haiti. His parents, both of whom are doctors, help to run a clinic at the orphanage, where people are vaccinated and AIDS tests are administered. His son Aaron ’08 will be traveling with him.

“There is no place in my current world view for me to prepare for what I am going to experience,” Mr. Cyr-Mutty said. He explained that while the city of Les Cayes was spared from the devastating earthquake, the ripple effect of the destruction has been felt all over the country, and as more people flee the city, the more the orphanage is filling up. “Ultimately I hope I can contribute in some small way to the ongoing work,” he continued. “I am particularly in awe of the people who make this their life’s work. The last time I was there, the school was not in session because it was Easter break. This time the school will be in session and I would like to see if I could also help out there.” The orphanage is called Pwoje Espwa, which is Haitian Creole for Project Hope. Read more about the organization, and read the blog by Father Marc Boisvert, the founder and director of Pwoje Espwa. “I am so pleased to be going,” said Mr. Cyr-Mutty. “The school is funding my trip, and that is how it is happening. When most Haitians make $2.00 a day or less, I am also so pleased to be bringing the money from the students.”