2017 Vocational School (EVJDF) Update

Top Agriculture Graduate with his new tools.

• 137 graduates combined from 2016 & 2017 (no graduation in 2016 due to hurricane Matthew).


• 55 marched for graduation on November 12, 2017 held in the new community center space. Several hundred attended with standing room only at the back and outside down the stairs! It was a true joyous celebration full of hope not only for the graduates and the school, but for the community at large. 

"It will take many years for this area to recoverto where it was before the hurricane, but the support from VHP has helped the community to stand again."  ~Despagne Felix

The school stood well against the 145 mph winds and 3 days of torrential rain, but many repairs were necessary. The complete devastation throughout the region made clear the community's need for safe shelter from natural disasters. A safe, secure cement roof replaced the metal over the main school building. The initial impetus and resources for then creating a second floor community space came with David Casey's 6th summer return with funding raised by his family and friends.  Lane Tapley very generously donated the bulk of funds for finishing the space into a usable form,(i.e. needs finish work). Viola!  Finally- a space large enough (3,600 sq. ft.) to host a variety of events from graduations, to meetings, educational seminars, wedding receptions and funerals etc. 

The large 20 ft dome, completed just prior to the hurricane, using Tom Tailer's cement panel design stood without falter. Word has spread about this structure and several groups have come to learn about it. It now is used as the computer classroom/lab.

Also in 2017 a second floor added was added to the workshop building. Now an open air workshop below with classrooms above which are finished to a level of functionality,(i.e. needs finish work). Currently a local high school that was destroyed by the hurricane shares the use of these classrooms while they await funds for rebuilding. 

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Father Bill's workshop.