Society of the Sons and Daughters of Baguette
Foundation and Goals
The Society of the Sons and Daughters of Baguette (SOFBA) is a humanitarian association, apolitical and non-profit, founded on 31 August 1986. Its purpose is to group together the sons and daughters and friends of the 12th rural section of La Montagne of Jacmel, and bring them to take part in the development of this community in the areas of health care, education, agriculture, economy, culture, etc.
In order to attain these goals, SOFBA will use all the resources – human, material and spiritual – at our disposal.
Structure
SOFBA is currently divided into three (3) branches – La Montagne-Jacmel (Bellevue), Jacmel and the diaspora community whose center is in New York City (P.O. Box 220195, Rosedale, NY 11422).
The branches of SOFBA are led by regional steering committees, composed of a president, vice-president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer and three (3) counselors.
The activities of the branches are coordinated by an administrative committee, composed of a coordinator, vice-coordinator, controller, archival secretary, and three (3) counselors.
SOFBA is recognized by the Minister of Social Affairs in Haiti. It is incorporated in the United States (NY). Furthermore, SOFBA is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization by the IRS.
Geography and Population
Bellevue is a vast locality which occupies the southeastern portion of the 13th rural section of La Montagne-Jacmel. Baguette is the name of the zone. The name “Bellevue” reflects its geographic position in La Montagne.
It is bordered on the north by the zones Serein and Belot, on the south by Baguette on the Caribbean Sea, on the east by the zones Terre Rouge and LaPorte and on the west by the zones Corail and Kajennen, which borders La Montagne and Bainet.
Bellevue has a population of 20,000 to 21,000 residents, of which 30% are under the age of 18, 48% of the population is under the age of 30.
The locality has an altitude of 400 to 500 meters above sea level. It is cool and fertile. Certain zones offer an opportunity to view the panorama of Jacmel and beyond.
Other than the Bay of Jacmel, those of Cayes-Jacmel, Marigot, Plateau Nan Madou and the countrysides of Lavoute, Lafond and Coq Chante, the locality’s position allows people to hear, when the weather is calm, the sounds of the clock and church bells of the parish church St Philippe and St Jacques in the city of Jacmel.
Education
Bellevue, thanks to the efforts of this community, has 15 private elementary schools, a public elementary school and a secondary school (“lycée”).
We must note that (only) 42% of the children of this community attend school, despite the distance between their homes and the schools themselves.
Clean Water
Bellevue has only one system for drinkable water, located in the Richon neighborhood. It serves 1,500 people in the neighborhoods of Bellevue, La Ferme, Plaisance, Terre Rouge, Bois d’Orme, Guano and Bambou.
Projects Realized by SOFBA
· In collaboration with its sister organization “Haiti Men Kontre,” SOFBA opened a community dispensary in La Montagne-Jacmel. With a permanent nurse on staff, the dispensary gives primary care to more than 50 people per month. The peasants of the zone are also invited to attend sanitation education classes conducted by the staff.
· SOFBA contributed to the renovation of the school Tricinqantenaire of Baguette and the construction of a section of road linking Terre Rouge, Baguette and La Croix. This last project was under the direction of FEOPLAJ de LaMontagne-Jacmel.
Projects in Progress
· SOFBA is currently building a community library in Bellevue. It is expected to be opened to the public in 2011.
Projects in Planning Stage
· SOFBA is working on opening a computer lab for young people in the community. It is expected to be opened by the end of 2011.
· SOFBA is encouraging the construction of basins to capture rainwater for irrigation of crops.
Long-Term Projects
· The public secondary school (“lycée”) does not have its own space. It currently shares the public primary school (“école nationale”) from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. SOFBA is studying the possibility of building a site for the high school.
· SOFBA would like to set up an artisanal center in Bellevue so that handicrafts are not lost to future generations.
· SOFBA would also like to organize, along with the residents of La Montagne-Jacmel, seminars on reforestation, to be conducted by volunteer or paid technicians.
SOFBA’s three branches can be reached at the following addresses and email addresses:
· Jacmel Branch
Société des Fils de Baguette
c/o Mr Verbo Jean Julien
44 Rue du Créac
Jacmel, Haïti
email: jjverbo@live.com
· Bellevue Branche
Société des Fils de Baguette
c/o Prévot Noel
Librarie de Bellevue
La Montagne-Jacmel, Haïti
· New York Branch
c/o Mr Acius Jean
P.O. Box 220195
Rosedale, NY 11422
email: jeancado@aol.com
Foundation and Goals
The Society of the Sons and Daughters of Baguette (SOFBA) is a humanitarian association, apolitical and non-profit, founded on 31 August 1986. Its purpose is to group together the sons and daughters and friends of the 12th rural section of La Montagne of Jacmel, and bring them to take part in the development of this community in the areas of health care, education, agriculture, economy, culture, etc.
In order to attain these goals, SOFBA will use all the resources – human, material and spiritual – at our disposal.
Structure
SOFBA is currently divided into three (3) branches – La Montagne-Jacmel (Bellevue), Jacmel and the diaspora community whose center is in New York City (P.O. Box 220195, Rosedale, NY 11422).
The branches of SOFBA are led by regional steering committees, composed of a president, vice-president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer and three (3) counselors.
The activities of the branches are coordinated by an administrative committee, composed of a coordinator, vice-coordinator, controller, archival secretary, and three (3) counselors.
SOFBA is recognized by the Minister of Social Affairs in Haiti. It is incorporated in the United States (NY). Furthermore, SOFBA is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization by the IRS.
Geography and Population
Bellevue is a vast locality which occupies the southeastern portion of the 13th rural section of La Montagne-Jacmel. Baguette is the name of the zone. The name “Bellevue” reflects its geographic position in La Montagne.
It is bordered on the north by the zones Serein and Belot, on the south by Baguette on the Caribbean Sea, on the east by the zones Terre Rouge and LaPorte and on the west by the zones Corail and Kajennen, which borders La Montagne and Bainet.
Bellevue has a population of 20,000 to 21,000 residents, of which 30% are under the age of 18, 48% of the population is under the age of 30.
The locality has an altitude of 400 to 500 meters above sea level. It is cool and fertile. Certain zones offer an opportunity to view the panorama of Jacmel and beyond.
Other than the Bay of Jacmel, those of Cayes-Jacmel, Marigot, Plateau Nan Madou and the countrysides of Lavoute, Lafond and Coq Chante, the locality’s position allows people to hear, when the weather is calm, the sounds of the clock and church bells of the parish church St Philippe and St Jacques in the city of Jacmel.
Education
Bellevue, thanks to the efforts of this community, has 15 private elementary schools, a public elementary school and a secondary school (“lycée”).
We must note that (only) 42% of the children of this community attend school, despite the distance between their homes and the schools themselves.
Clean Water
Bellevue has only one system for drinkable water, located in the Richon neighborhood. It serves 1,500 people in the neighborhoods of Bellevue, La Ferme, Plaisance, Terre Rouge, Bois d’Orme, Guano and Bambou.
Projects Realized by SOFBA
· In collaboration with its sister organization “Haiti Men Kontre,” SOFBA opened a community dispensary in La Montagne-Jacmel. With a permanent nurse on staff, the dispensary gives primary care to more than 50 people per month. The peasants of the zone are also invited to attend sanitation education classes conducted by the staff.
· SOFBA contributed to the renovation of the school Tricinqantenaire of Baguette and the construction of a section of road linking Terre Rouge, Baguette and La Croix. This last project was under the direction of FEOPLAJ de LaMontagne-Jacmel.
Projects in Progress
· SOFBA is currently building a community library in Bellevue. It is expected to be opened to the public in 2011.
Projects in Planning Stage
· SOFBA is working on opening a computer lab for young people in the community. It is expected to be opened by the end of 2011.
· SOFBA is encouraging the construction of basins to capture rainwater for irrigation of crops.
Long-Term Projects
· The public secondary school (“lycée”) does not have its own space. It currently shares the public primary school (“école nationale”) from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. SOFBA is studying the possibility of building a site for the high school.
· SOFBA would like to set up an artisanal center in Bellevue so that handicrafts are not lost to future generations.
· SOFBA would also like to organize, along with the residents of La Montagne-Jacmel, seminars on reforestation, to be conducted by volunteer or paid technicians.
SOFBA’s three branches can be reached at the following addresses and email addresses:
· Jacmel Branch
Société des Fils de Baguette
c/o Mr Verbo Jean Julien
44 Rue du Créac
Jacmel, Haïti
email: jjverbo@live.com
· Bellevue Branche
Société des Fils de Baguette
c/o Prévot Noel
Librarie de Bellevue
La Montagne-Jacmel, Haïti
· New York Branch
c/o Mr Acius Jean
P.O. Box 220195
Rosedale, NY 11422
email: jeancado@aol.com