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What is Ti-Sourire's mission?

The original project: to enable the operation of the kitchen of Beraca Primary School

On 12 January 2010, a terrible earthquake struck Haiti, particularly the capital, Port-au-Prince. At least 230,000 people died.

 

Claudio Guthmann was personally acquainted with several victims. His friend Guy Syvrain lost his two young children in the disaster. From Brussels, Claudio set up an emergency support and solidarity network to help Guy rebuild his life. This network has since gradually expanded and become the Ti-Sourire en Haïti association.

 

Ti-Sourire structured its action around one objective: to refurbish and enable the operation of the kitchen of Beraca Primary school, located in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince. Thus the school can guarantee a hot daily meal for all its pupils. This is a necessary condition if children are to go to school and concentrate on learning. Because most pupils come to school on an empty stomach.

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To support the schooling of children in Haiti

Today, and as it has done without interruption since 2012, Ti-Sourire continues to support Beraca School in different ways. Its action helps provide children with a good learning environment through:

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  • the daily operation of the canteen

  • the reconstruction of buildings and infrastructure

  • sending teaching material

  • the installation of playgrounds

  • teacher training

Ti-Sourire is gradually extending its actions to other schools. Its objective: to contribute to improving the level of schooling of children in Haiti, enabling them to eat one hot meal per day in the school canteen.

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To foster a bond of solidarity and exchanges between Haiti and Europe

Claudio Guthmann, founder and president of the non-profit organization Ti-Sourire, regularly travels to Haiti (paying his own travel expenses) to see his friends and visit Beraca School. This gives him the opportunity to observe at first hand the progress made with refurbishments and see the results of projects financed by donations from Ti-Sourire. He has discussions with the principal, teachers and students. He listens to all those concerned express their needs, so as to decide with the school team where the next investments will go.

 

This bond has been forged over the years and has continued to grow. The personal stories of the families committed to this adventure, in Haiti and in Europe, are marked by the action of Ti-Sourire - leading to mutual enrichment.

 

Watch the video made during Claudio's trip in 2018.

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