ASSOCIATION DU BEL AIR HAITI

The organization was created in the beginning of 2007. We wanted to give something back to the community. We decided that education was going to be the priority. Bel Air has its share of successful men and women an their prowess were based solely on their education. It would have been too easy and traditionnal to give food and money, we opted instead for education and at the same token as the students started coming in into class, we realized that in order to keep them coming despite the fact that we made a comitment not to charge one cent if the program was to be successful we had to provide free food as well. Many of the kids were coming to school with empty stomachs. We established a lunch program and we are very proud of the fact that no one goes home hungry when school is over. Every child is provided with free lunches. We also have an after school program that addresses those kids that came to school a little late on life based on the facts that their parents could not afford to send them to school. The kids ranged from 5 years old to 15 years old each with their own stories and their struggles . We address speech impediments, we tutor them in math, french and wathever their needs might be. We make the environment as fun as possible. Christmas is very big where each and everyone received numerous gifts. The carnival season is always anticipated as well and we participate in a very grandiose way and they get to enjoy it a lot. Sports is highly encouraged cause Bel Air has had may athletes that have played at national and international level and they are very inspired by the stories. The celebration of Bel Air with fanfare and parades is something of a must seen. We get them as involved as we can and develop a sense of the importance of their community and the need to respect their neighborhood and a love for their education as well.