(Photo by BBC Worldservice/ Schoolgirls in Haiti)
Haiti (CMP/MNN) ― Quake-ravaged Haiti wants schools back in session by the end of March. However, officials estimate that the earthquake damaged roughly 80-percent of schools. The quake also destroyed the Education Ministry, which hasn't been able to resume its duties.
The government is still trying to assess the extent of the damage to the education system, even as they try to mandate a quick return to the classroom. Further complicating that deadline, hundreds of survivors flocked to school grounds and set up makeshift refugee camps. City officials say they hope to evacuate people and relocate them elsewhere so the schools can operate.
Compassion International is trying to bring some normalcy back into the lives of the more than 64,000 children they're serving. But until new buildings can be built, many schools may have to meet in tents.
In addition to assessing and rebuilding schools, Compassion is also training children and their families to be safe while living in tent cities.
Compassion is partnering with Engineering Ministries International to determine what repairs are needed at school buildings serving Compassion's church partners and how to improve buildings and facilities to withstand any future earthquakes.
Compassion is also continuing the difficult process of taking a census of every registered child who was significantly impacted by the earthquake. They work through one-to-one sponsorships for the long-term release from the cycle of poverty in Haiti.
Pray for the staff as they act as the hands and feet of Christ.
