Three New Classrooms, Endless Possibilities
Funded by Hoops for Haiti
Jacmel and surrounding communities, including La Montagne have received an influx of families fleeing the instability and gang violence in Port au Prince. As a result, there were not enough schools for the children living in the area. To support our long-term partnership with Centre d’Education Integree (CEI), the Haitian Timoun Foundation used the funds raised during the 2025 Hoops for Haiti campaign to assist with the building of three new classrooms. These new classrooms would allow CEI to enroll up to 100 additional students.
Hoops for Haiti is an annual fundraiser that HTF’s partner congregations across the United States run during the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. Each church competes to raise the most money; the winning congregation receives bragging rights and possession of the Hoops for Haiti trophy. Historically, Hoops for Haiti raised money for summer camp in Jacmel, but in 2025, the decision was made to support CEI’s expansion, which would allow for greater long-term impact.
In 2025, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Loveland, OH), Peace Lutheran Church (Gahana, OH), Epiphany Lutheran Church (Pickerington, OH), Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Dublin, OH), Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Columbus, OH) and Christ of Shepherd Church (Peachtree City, GA) all participated in Hoops for Haiti; collectively they raised over $66,000!
CEI Background
Centre d’Education Integree was founded in 2008 by Verbo Jean Julien to educate students in the La Montagne region of Haiti. Prior to CEI’s inception, La Montagne had no schools. Verbo, a native to La Montagne had to walk hours to attend school in the closest town and longed for children from his village to have access to an education. Thanks to Verbo’s vision, and HTF’s partnership, CEI thrives as a school and a community center, where families and friends come together to change the lives of the people of Haiti.
Prior to the 2025 expansion, about 160 students attended school at CEI. With the three additional classrooms, up to 250 students, including 3 more grades, will be able to be enrolled on CEI’s campus!
Special Ceremony
To dedicate the expansion, CEI held a Building Dedication in January. The staff, students, families and members of the HTF team were in attendance for the ceremony. The day was marked by hope and anticipation and included a parade through the village, celebrating the building’s dedication.
The Building Dedication Ceremony was attended by the head of the school, Verbo Jean Julian’s mom, Rick and Harriet Barger, Danette Miller and Maya Fond-Rose, in addition to CEI students, parents and La Montagne residents.
HTF’s Executive Director, Danette Miller, was in attendance for the Building Dedication Ceremony. She shared, “It was such a privilege to participate in the dedication of 3 new classrooms at CEI. We were treated like royalty that day, seated in the front row with white chair covers and ribbons. But the true royalty are the school leaders and families who believe, who have hope. We have the privilege of walking in hope beside them.” There is tremendous hope for the futures of the students at CEI. In Haiti, only 85% of students are enrolled in kindergarten, and that percentage decreases each year, with only 19% of students completing primary school. One of the reasons for this grim statistics is the accessibility of education to Haitian families.
CEI provides educational opportunities to children in La Montange, and also supports families with food and tuition assistance. The school, funded in partnership with HTF, is a lifeline to those who live in La Montange. Danette also said, “As the ribbon was being cut, and we walked up the stairs toward the new classrooms behind Verbo’s mom (who was cutting the ribbons), I was reminded of WHY we do this work. In Haiti, education is hope. Hope transforms communities. These 3 classrooms are providing an opportunity for the children, the future of Haiti.” CEI is more than a school; it’s a central part of the community and a place where families gather throughout the year. Everyone is eager for the fall, when up to 100 more students will be able to attend school. This will meet a critical need for children in the La Montagne community.
What’s Next
This year’s Hoops for Haiti kicks off on March 15th! Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Loveland, OH), Peace Lutheran Church (Gahana, OH), Epiphany Lutheran Church (Pickerington, OH), Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Dublin, OH), Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Columbus, OH), Christ of Shepherd Church (Peachtree City, GA) and Preston Meadow Lutheran Church (Plano, TX) are participating. HTF is grateful for their support, and excited to see how they rise to the occasion. The funds raised this year will also be directed to CEI, bringing the classrooms to life! In order empower the students to learn, CEI needs to furnish the new classrooms, hire additional teachers and purchase technology to meet national standards.
The ongoing operation of CEI is sustained in part by the generosity of the HTF community, including our Child Sponsorship program. If you’re interested in supporting the work of CEI, you can make a donation and designate CEI as the beneficiary. We will also be running Hoops for Haiti this March, and all are invited to participate with an entry fee of $25. One hundred percent of funds donated to Child Sponsorship are invested in the children in Haiti.