NOTE: St. Columba Parish in Oakland, Ca. began fundraising to pay for the tuition and supplies for 170 students beginning the school year in 2010 in 5 schools in Grand Ravine, an impoverished section of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Hurah, Human Rights Accompaniment In Haiti had been working with leaders--victims of violence beginning in 2005--called The Community Human Rights Council - CHRC of Grand Ravine. This group follows a strict non-violent, non-partisan philosophy in their advocacy for their sister and fellow neighbors with a focus on the poorest. They told Tom Luce, the organizer for Hurah that education was their top priority. They selected 170 students--not an easy task--and managed the purchase of supplies--uniforms, books--and the payment of tuition to 5 schools. With fundraising not easy, St. Columba had to ask the schools to pay by the month, not always a deadline achieved. But the schools --teachers--found that they could trust St. Columba that in the end found the $36,000 to pay all the bills. Before the end of the last school year the St. Columba committee determined they would try a second year. Fundraising is still ongoing. Anyone wishing to know more details, how to contribute, contact Tom Luce, Haiti Liaison, 510-229-3571, tomfluce@gmail.com St. Columba Parish is at 6401 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Tel 510-654-7600.

ROUSING ASSEMBLY OF 170 SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS GIVING THANKS TO ST. COLUMBA PARISH- GRAND RAVINE - JUNE 16, 2011

SNACK TIME! 100F temperature! Out on the rooftop with everyone!

Click here to see a rousing celebration video

Video

Snack distribution	Juice with ice in 100F weather!	Juice with ice in 100F weather!
Snacks with crackers, candy, iced juice!	Every child gets a drink, crackers and candy!	Real ice cubes in 100F weather!	Mixed juices, low sugar.
Shopping for 170 students plus 20 teachers - $140	Juice with ice in 100F weather!	Everyone gets a turn in place	Snacks well underway
Little ones snack as well as older.	A tiny 4 room school with narrow corridor.	Satisfaction	I get to serve the teachers and leaders.
A toast to the real workers, teachers.	A general call to the roof.	Getting to be a crowd.	Now I know how its like to be a rock star!
The sun is hot.	Almost everyone is up on the roof.	Still more.	Must be everyone!
And more!	Thanks St. Columba!	No some more.	And the flag has to be raised!
Do I need a closeup?	Another closeup	End of the celebration assembly to thank St. Columba!	End of the celebration assembly to thank St. Columba!
End of the celebration assembly to thank St. Columba!	Back down	On our way to the assembly, we noticed this Grand Ravine Police van. Something new to be evaluated in the ongoing control by criminals of the people.	Grand Ravine Police - trash
More "Ravine" homes	More "ravine" buildings	View up the "ravine"	The Grand Ravine street where me met.