Impact Report - May 2025
- Renee
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 11 minutes ago
Building Futures: Exciting Progress at Extollo's Training and Construction Sites!
We're thrilled to share some incredibly encouraging updates from the front lines of Extollo's mission in Haiti! This past month has been a whirlwind of activity, from celebrating the success of our first masonry graduates to laying the groundwork for exciting new electrical training opportunities.
Extollo's Admin Team Paving the Way!
At Extollo International, every step we take in Haiti is guided by our core values: excellence, discipline, integrity, responsibility, initiative, teamwork, and respect. These aren't just words; they're the bedrock of our operations, and nowhere is this more evident than in the diligent work of our Administration team, led by General Manager, Junior M.
One of the most significant recent achievements for Extollo has been the successful acquisition of a 4.5-hectare (11.12 acres) property in Champing, Caracol. This was a three-month process that truly demonstrated discipline, integrity, and perseverance from our team.
We're thrilled to announce that after careful negotiation and due diligence, Edouard, the previous landowner, finally provided proof of his legal rights and submitted the necessary extraction letter for the land. We're already taking the initiative to collect quotes from topographers for the survey and find local companies to begin cleaning the property. This new land represents a massive step forward for Extollo's future projects in Haiti, showcasing our long-term responsibility to the communities we serve.
Cultivating Character: Daily Devotions Reinforce Our Values
Beyond bricks and mortar, Extollo is deeply committed to developing strong character traits in every individual. We're excited to share that morning devotions resumed on May 26th at both our Cap and Bercy campuses. These sessions are crucial for continuously reinforcing the Biblical values that make our work possible.
Junior took the lead for the remainder of May, guiding these important discussions. The first session in Cap began with encouraging and grateful words from our President, Keith Cobell, reminding everyone of Extollo's vision for Cap Operations and expectations for the team. At Bercy, Vlad leads the morning devotions, with Jeffte stepping up when Vlad is unavailable. These gatherings foster respect, discipline, and teamwork, creating a shared foundation for our mission.
Equipping Futures at the Trade School
We kicked off the month with a celebration at the Kay Anj/Extollo Training Center, marking the completion of our first-ever masonry class! Our Trade School Manager, Clenson Pierre, did an outstanding job leading the program, and we're especially proud of HHA student Jonas Paul, who achieved perfect practical and work ethic scores, making him our top pick for future HHA masonry projects. The training team held a valuable debrief session after the class, gathering insights that will help us make future classes even better and more efficient.
Looking ahead, our focus has now shifted to launching Electrical Level 1 at the end of June! We're so grateful that Electrical Advisor and Instructor Dan Schulze is available to teach this in-demand class. We've been meeting with Dan to plan some key improvements, including the addition of individual training stations. These stations will give students hands-on, repeated wiring practice on various electrical configurations, truly propelling their competency.
With our full trade school team in place, we've also been tackling important administrative tasks, like setting up Extollo’s office and organizing files to ensure smooth operations.
This month, we also bid a fond farewell to Ken Waterhouse, who accepted a welding management position in West Africa. In his short time with Extollo, Ken made a tremendous impact on our Trade School, expertly crafting new Level 1 auto care curriculum and ensuring the successful launch of our Cap-Haïtien school under immense pressure. He will be deeply missed, but his positive influence will certainly live on.
**We're currently looking for an Operations Manager. Find more info HERE.
Bercy Campus Restoration: A Testament to Haitian Ingenuity
The Bercy Campus continues to be a hub of activity and progress. We're thankful to report that the security situation remains calm, with our Extollo security team diligently ensuring the safety of the campus.
The accomplishments in Bercy truly showcase the remarkable initiative and discipline of our Haitian team:
Enhanced Security: We're continuing the fabrication and installation of window security guards, meticulously cut, welded, and painted to ensure the safety of our facilities. This ongoing project reflects our responsibility to provide a secure environment.
Water System Restored: The campus water system is fully operational again! The team demonstrated incredible resourcefulness and excellence by identifying and repairing the pump (replacing a transistor) to bring it back online. Vlad then took the initiative to ensure all three water tanks were topped off.
Campus Upkeep: Our team is committed to maintaining the campus. Buildings are being restored to their original condition, and the grounds are meticulously kept, demonstrating a high level of responsibility and respect for our shared spaces.
Equipment Repairs: Even with limited resources, our team shows incredible discipline and problem-solving skills. The big red Ranger welder, a crucial piece of equipment, was fixed and is back in service, highlighting their excellence in maintaining our tools.
US-based team member, Jeff Ballard, who leads the Bercy campus restoration, shared these powerful reflections:
"Even with a few setbacks of some equipment not operating correctly, I am proud to say that we have a very impressive Haitian team on the ground that can identify, troubleshoot, and resolve most issues with the limited resources available to them to work with and are able to keep moving forward. The people of Haiti that I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with are the most resilient, the most resourceful, and most determined to create a better country for themselves and, more importantly, for the next generation. This is showed to me over and over by me being allowed to be just a small part of the training that Extollo provides in Haiti so they can achieve their dreams and goals."
Progress at Cap Campus: Laying the Foundation for Growth
Our Cap Campus is steadily taking shape, building the infrastructure that will support our vocational training programs and empower the next generation. Here's a look at recent highlights:
Backfilling Project Nearing Completion: The critical task of backfilling around the vocational school is almost done! Showing discipline and excellence we're patiently waiting for more rainfall to ensure proper compaction. Once that happens, a final load will complete the leveling and resolve any pooling issues. This thorough approach ensures a solid foundation for years to come.
Smart Sourcing for Electrical and Fencing: Jonathan and our operations manager demonstrated great teamwork and initiative by collaborating on the cut list for electrical components and exploring local sourcing options. This helps us ensure responsibility in our resource management and supports the local economy.
Power Line Coordination: Jonathan took the initiative to visit the NRECA International power office, gathering vital information on the process for establishing a power line on-site. This proactive step is crucial for ensuring reliable power for the campus, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility for future needs.
Essential Water Line Repairs: Jonathan stepped up with remarkable initiative and responsibility to repair the water line from the existing well. This ensures easy tank refilling and consistent water availability in the bathroom. He also installed a new faucet on the vocational building, further improving on-site water access – a true mark of excellence in problem-solving.
Supporting Equipment Maintenance at Bercy:Â In a fantastic display of teamwork, Jonathan collaborated with Vladimyr at the Bercy campus to conduct inspections and repair work on the crane, water pump, and Kubota generator. This cross-campus support highlights our commitment to overall operational excellence.
Tractor Maintenance: Roody and Jonathan put their heads together and temporarily fixed the HHA tractor. This initiative and practical problem-solving are invaluable. We'll be submitting a list of parts and a service kit for further actions, showing our responsibility for long-term equipment care.
Vehicle Assessment and Maintenance: After replacing the dump truck's brake shoes, further inspection unfortunately deemed it unusable. Under Jeff’s direction, the team is now responsibly removing the transmission for further assessment. This demonstrates their integrity in making tough but necessary decisions and their discipline in thoroughly evaluating equipment.
The progress at both campuses is a powerful testament to the dedication of our team and the enduring impact of the character traits we cherish. Every repaired water line, every sourced material, and every well-maintained piece of equipment is a step towards empowering more Haitians with the skills they need to build their own brighter futures.
Join the Crew!
You can play an integral part of a student's journey to success! The vast majority of our students are unable to afford Extollo's high-quality vocational training. As a community of advocates, CREW members provide monthly financial support to ambitious men and women who are elevating their careers, their families, and their communities.
Each student at Extollo is required to pay a portion of their course fee. Based on an amount that fits their budget, CREW members commit to recurring monthly donations to help cover the cost of tuition. We're looking for more people to join the crew so that we can increase our impact in Haiti. Many hands make light work!