Date: June 12, 2010
Start time: 11:00am – End time: 12:00pm

Attendees:
Jacques Meance
Schendy Kernizan- Architecture for Humanity
Lyndia Mesidor- Architecture for Humanity
Tommy Stewart AIA- Architecture for Humanity

Location: Petit-Goave, Haiti
Weather: Sunny, cloudy, rainy

The School
The Lafond school is a community school founded by the Meance family. There are about 1500 people living in the community and 200 students attend the school. Tuition is $50 Hatian dollars but since some cannot afford it they are also given the incentive to help with the construction of the school and in return the tuition fee is waivered. School hours are in two sessions, 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. Today in an effort to rebuild they have received the support of organizations such as World Connect and CAPPANAMUR to help with funding. Architecture for Humanity was contacted to assist with the rebuilding process by doing an assessment on the buildings current conditions.

The Site consists of two buildings, the academic building which was built in 2008 and the cafeteria which is also the Meance house and the living quarters for the 4 teachers. The two buildings are adjacent to each other but a short walking distance (about 200m) apart. The actual building site where the academic building stands is approximately 200 ft. X 90 ft. and is fairly flat. At the present moment classes are being held under tents on site. When it rains students take cover under the partially demolished building.

The existing conditions for the Lafond school academic building are as follows. The building structure is "concrete" frame with rock infill. It consists of three classrooms whose walls have been partially torn down by the earthquake. There seem to have been no doors or windows in the building. A fair amount of debris remains inside and outside the building and live stock graze directly in back of the building. Plans for a second floor were started in hopes to also expand the building in an "L" shape with a central courtyard.

Notes:
Deflection in "concrete" beams that span from one side of the building to the other
High moisture has caused mold to develop on walls
No plumbing on site
No electrical on site
Reinforcement bar set on roof top in preparation for a second floor has rusted
There are gaps through columns which is leaving the reinforcement bar within the column exposed
Paper in the mortar between rocks on several areas of the ceiling.
(May have used some type of alternative concrete mix)

The Cafeteria
The Cafeteria building wood frame (in construction Payisan) is also a dormitory for the teachers. What also serves as a home for the Meance family also serves the school. The building consists of two rooms for the teachers a private bedroom, and dining room. The kitchen/ prep area is in a separate back building which also stores the generator in a back room.

Notes:
Too small to hold 200 students
Food for the children is not a guarantee
Building includes one detached functioning restroom
Electricity is provided through a generator
Plumbing is present as well as a rain water collection system