Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Hi everyone,

Here's a document (in French) that shows the transfer of the property to a local organization.  I would like to thank the Jordain Family for wanting their children to have a better future.


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

PlayPumps International PSA Video Contest Winner

National Geographic Feature on PlayPump Water Systems

Playing soccer with no soccer ball;no problem!

Making a Soccerball out of Plastic Bags

Haitian Kids Playing Soccer - Petite Riviere, CESA

Playpump

If possible, I would love to install one of these on site...

Inspired by Playpump International



Résultats de recherche d'images pour « playpump »



Mark-Gallagher Vocational School

My primary reason to go to Haiti is to teach the teachers at the new Mark-Gallagher Vocational School that was built in his memory.  He died during the earthquake in 2010.  He was there to train their police force through UN.  This schools offers 5 programs: Bricklaying, Tiles, Secretariat, Agriculture & Construction.  The teachers are great; it's a pleasure for me to work with them.  I'm offering a 9 modules certificate in adult education using the CBE (Competency Based Education) model.  I was there in June and August 2014, January 2015 and will be going again a few more times (April, June, August & October 2015; January 2016)

Here are some pictures of the vocational school.  The students and teacher will be involved in this project as well as the community.



Teachers at work during their training.





Teachers



During construction.



Biography of Mark-Gallagher written by his sister-in-law and Warren Redmond




CCNB partnering with the Vocational School




Bringing Mark Home



SGT Mark Gallagher


Pictures near the area of the playground - School




School built by the Germans after the earthquake


Vocational School (Mark-Gallagher) and primary and secondary school at the right.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Pictures of kids in Rivière-Froide - Haiti


My daughter Keila with some children.

These are pictures my wife took while we walking up the hill towards the field.


This picture speaks!


My wife and daughter Keila doing activities with the children.

Description of playground in Rivière-Froide

My plans for this site is the following:

  • Soccer field
    • Nets
  • Volleyball field
    • Nets
  • Bathrooms & well (which are greatly needed)
  • Benches
  • Playground (swings, etc..)
  • Sandbox
Some of the equipment will be built by the students at the Mark-Gallagher Vocational School

Video - Rivière-Froid's Soccer Team


The Rivière-Froide Soccer Team

I have to admit, I'm not much of a fitness guy, but I do believe on having a great health.  On one of my last trips to Haiti I brought a few soccer balls and told my wife to give them away. She gave one to a special young man by the name of James.  He's 17 years old, responsible and a future leader.  With one soccer ball he created a soccer association.



They practice on a weekly basis.  In may (2015) a team of students from l'Université de Moncton are heading that way and they'll bring them some soccer gear.  They don't know yet, they are going to be soooo happy.

I saw these kids playing on hills.  Imagine, playing soccer on a hill!  Gravity either is for you or against you.  I said to myself: I need to do something.  I ask them for a piece of land and it was granted so I'm in the process of gathering some funds.  In my next blog post I'll give some more details on what I want to do.


Introduction to my project - Playgrounds for Haiti

I believe that alongside education, children need access to play activities to reach their full potential. I envisage a world where all children have access to areas where they can explore, learn, develop and play.

That is why I'm asking you to help me with this project. First, let me introduce myself.  My name is Ken Biddington and I work as a teacher in a French community college in New-Brunswick, Canada.  Every three months or so I go to Haiti to train new teachers at the Marlk-Gallagher Vocational School in Rivière-Froide.  He's the RCMP officer that died during the earthquake in 2010.  In two weeks (April 10th), I'll be going for my 4th mission and planning on going on three more missions in the next year.

A very nice school was built after the earthquake to accomodate over 1000 students, but they don't have a place to play.  I've witness many children playing soccer in the streets and on hills; that does not work well when you're playing soccer.  :)  Recently, the Jourdain Family has given a nice field (80m x 75m) to build a playground and soccer fields.  This area is very mountanous, so the fields need alot of work.  It's the best piece of land for this purpose.  

I'm asking for your support for this project, every dollar helps.

Thanks,

Ken Biddington