Konbit to Build Temporary Schools

“Konbit” is a creole word refering to a group of individuals who combine efforts in order to complete a task or a project. It's an activity in which people put their personal interests aside to work together. Participants in a konbit do not receive money; instead, they are happy to assist their communities in moving forward. Participation in a konbit is voluntary and based on sharing and living together. People work, eat and joke together during a konbit.

A parent committee meets to plan the school konbit.

The HRC has completed four school konbit so far and can’t wait to do more. Our mobilizers on the ground in earthquake affected zones travel from community to community where they meet with local leaders. In areas where people were already organized to build a temproary school building, the HRC joined forces to connect the community with resources to realize their goal.

The four school konbit have taken place in So Matirin, Okoto, Lazil and Pestel. In each case, a date was set several weeks in advance. Then local leaders got the word out to neighbors about when to come. The HRC purchased building materials nearby to support the local economy. The parents and neighbors supplied all the labor.

The konbit usually lasts one weekend, or two days. Participants often worked well into the night to ensure that their children would be in school as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, thousands of school children are still unable to continue their studies this year. In some places, educators call school into session under trees and tarps. In those places, it is impossible to hold classes when it rains. Haiti Response Coalition looks forward to raising funds to do many more school konbit.

Thousands of school children are still unable to continue the academic year, because they have nowhere to gather and learn. Haiti Response Coalition looks forward to raising funds to do as many school konbit as possible.