President Martelly inaugurates Savane Pistache market and School in Carrefour

Together with Haitian President Michel Martelly, the U.S. government inaugurated the Savane Pistache market in Haiti that will support local merchants and promote stability in the community. Many personalities like the mayor of Port-au-Prince Muscadin Jean Yves Jason, the deputy of the third district of Port-au-Prince Jean Baptiste M'Zou Naya Belange, the Ambassador of the United States of America Kenneth H. Merten, representatives of the SOGEBANK Foundation, of the USAID, of CHF and members of local associations, were present.

The neighborhood of Savane Pistache, in Carrefour-Feuilles, Port-au-Prince, is a densely populated area with high levels of unemployment. The 5,000 square-meter Savane Pistache Market will benefit the market's 300 vendors and the 25,000 residents of the community by attracting more commerce.

The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, partnered with CHF International and the local community to build the market. After the inauguration, the municipality of Port-au-Prince and the association of local vendors will assume management responsibilities.

"We were pleased to partner with local government and community leaders to rebuild the market," said U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth H. Merten. "We are committed to work with Haiti to find innovative and sustainable ways to rebuild the country."

"This market is a work of art", welcomed the Head of State, addressed his thanks to the various actors involved in the construction of this important infrastructure. "Haiti can change, Haiti will change," he recalled.



The multi-level structure is handicap accessible and includes restroom and shower facilities. Environment-friendly features include a roof system that collects rainwater and stores it in a 10,000 gallon reservoir. The market will also benefit from the United Nations Development Program's recycling and compost project.

Bright, primary colors adorn the market's 15 pavilions and rich frescoes painted by local artists flank the walkways and interior walls. During the market's inauguration, the judges awarded prizes to the artists who painted the best frescoes.

A sub-police station for Savane Pistache
During the inauguration ceremony, the President Martelly has announced that he will talk, immediately with the Director General of the Police Nationale d'Haiti (PNH), Mr. Mario Andresol, in order to take necessary measures so that Savane Pistache can have a sub-police station. "With the meager resources that we have, we'll see together what must be done, perhaps also with our partners, to build this sub-station" promised the President of the Republic.





President Inaugurates School in Carrefour


After having inaugurated the market of Savane Pistache, Michel Martelly, the President of the Republic, has inaugurated the school "École Nationale République Centre Africaine" to Carrefour. This school founded in the '70s, has received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its redevelopment which work began in 2009.

During the ceremony performed in the presence of local authorities including the Mayor Yvon Jérôme and the Deputy Elie Blaise, the Head of State welcomed the gradual realization of his dream to allow thousands of Haitian children to the benefit of free schooling across the country through the establishment of the National Fund for Education (FNE). "Now, we have a President who wants to reach this goal and it's called Michel Martelly", declared the President of the Republic.

While thanking the players who contributed to this noble project, whose the Natcom which has equipped the school "École Nationale République Centre Africaine" of a computer lab, the President martelly also promised to offer support to teachers, for which he requires recycling and a better wages.


While calling the population to continue to show his confidence in him, the Head of State has assured that the establishment of vocational schools is also part of his priorities as part of his commitment to the Haitian youth.

"We need more vocational schools and we are already working on it, for the area of Carrefour, not everyone is forced to become a doctor or engineer, you can decide to learn to become a foreman, electrician, carpenter. So we will also come with the professional schools, I only ask you to be patient..." also declared the President of the Republic.