"You are the instruments that saved not only 500 young Haitians, but also some of their relatives and the personnel of this Institution. Sometimes you may think that you have done little, but what you call little is huge... You allow people to sleep, to walk, to laugh because you send them their daily bread and the bread of knowledge. I thank you on their behalf and on my own."
—Father Joseph Simon, Director Timkatec schools


Latest press coverage of Timkatec

Haitian school looks to Sanford for help: Timkatec feels the effect of Hurricane Sandy with increased costs

The Friends of Timkaec are looking for donations this Christmas as their school in Haiti has been greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Timkatec houses and gives orphaned and abandoned children an education. The education is a much-needed tool for the children of Haiti, as most would not have the opportunity to receive one otherwise.

Additionally, the children are taught in certain trades, such as electricians, metal workers, plumbers and beauticians, to increase the likelihood of them entering the workplace in Haiti once their time at Timkatec is done.

Read more: The Sanford Herald

On June 28, 2012, Timkatec schools II and III graduated 92 students. However, future funding for 2012/2013 faces enormous challenges as Timkatec celebrates its 20 year Anniversary

Timkatec 3 girl graduates with Fr Simon

As a Friend of Timkatec you should take great pride in knowing that you have not only changed the lives of youth in Haiti, but SAVED 500 lives. For this, we can’t thank you enough.

As 2012 soon draws to a close, we understand how many requests you receive for a year-end contribution from many deserving causes that help people, pets and the planet. We hope you will keep Timkatec in mind as you plan your year-end giving. We hope this update will help you in this regard.

2012 Timkatec I, II, & III Graduates

In the 2012 Academic year, despite the desperate situation in Haiti, Timkatec succeeded when few others did. But the future is challenging, as several major problems arose reducing donations and food aid as costs increase. Please read the following and be as generous as you can for this very worthy cause.

The cataclysmic earthquake of January 12, 2010 is past. It killed 230,000 and injured 250,000 and destroyed a million homes. Timkatec lost 1 teacher and over 100 students. Its effects are everywhere, as the country struggles to rebuild. Painfully and slowly, as most of the limited infrastructure was destroyed.

Fr Simon with the 2012 Timkatec 1 Students

BENCHMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN FISCAL 2012 (Oct.-Sept.)

This is what the Timkatec team directed by Father Simon HAS achieved to date and what your donations of extra funding can help it achieve in 2012/2013 and beyond.

  • · Timkatec increased the 2012 student count to 470 from Timkatec II after the earthquake
  • Increased Timkatec III Girls School capacity to 220 day students. However (October 1, 2012-Sept. 2012)-only 150 are registered.
  • The Timkatec III shelter now has room for 70 nightly. We can only take Timkatec 20-30 at this time for lack of funds
  • The third story addition at Timkatec II increased capacity to 240. The fund shortage has kept the 2012 Timkatec II registration at 200-short of its 240 capacity
  • Timkatec I, the primary and boarding school remains at its capacity of 101 students with 45 boarders and 55 day students.
Expanded Timkatec 2 Expanded Timkatec 3
  • The Timkatec II third story expansion was fully funded through the Charity Auction organized by Tommy Stinson of The Replacements and Guns ’n’ Roses.
  • The 2009 Timkatec III construction and 2011 third story expansion was fully funded through the Jasmine Foundation of Canada
  • The Timkatec Schools had/have capacity of 650 for both 2012 and 2013 at a time of desperate need for training in Haiti, but have only funds for 480.

Timkatec, for the first time in 6 years, must turn away desperate children and teenagers, because of a drastic reduction in funds- although it has the space, teachers and supplies to meet those needs.


CHALLENGES AHEAD IN 2013

  1. USAID provided surplus food aid to schools and orphanages in Haiti for the last decade. This aid ceases in September 30, 2012, a loss of about $30,000
  2. Timkatec-France, through the French Presidents’ Foundation had been a strong supporter of Timkatec for several years. That aid, about $30,000 annually, has not been renewed
  3. The Friends of Timkatec met our 2012 goal but need more donors as our active donor list is declining with the exception of a small number of Special Friends led by O’Shea and Spinelli families, Tommy Stinson and Ernie Reyes and several mystery donors who wish to remain anonymous
  4. Father Simon says that if Timkatec II and Timkatec III cannot provide midday meals, students seek food elsewhere and drop out, life is so precarious. He says we may see declines from the 380 trainees enrolled to 280 compared to its capacity for 550.

PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE

  1. The loss of USAID food aid requires another $30,000 annualy to replace it
  2. We want to add 1 cook and an additional staff member to the Timkatec Shelter to use that capability –cost $8000
  3. We want to obtain the material and equipment for the expanded trade school-about $4000
  4. The Friends need to add 20% more donors and increased per capita donations
  5. We had planned to add counseling and job finding services for Timkatec II and Timkatec III-about $4000
  6. Tommy Stinson raised funds for the 2012 graduates to obtain tools. That will not be possible for the 2013 Timkatec graduates. That costs about $10,000 depending on trades.

Timkatec relies on the tax deductible gifts from friends like you.

  • A gift of $300 will educate a student for one year, while $600 will fund a 2 year apprenticeship, and change a life forever.
  • Please be generous.
  • Thank you for your support.

Patrick O’Shea
Founder
The Friends of Timkatec in America

"It is fundamental to show children that one loves them and really wants to help them. The rest goes automatically. It is also a work of justice towards these children whose physical, intellectual and moral development is jeopardized by a life without affection, without guidance, without constraint, without obligation. The street cannot educate in any way."
—Father Joseph Simon of Timkatec.