Good Samaritan School
The Good Samaritan Mission school was born in August of 2000 in Beaufort, Haiti. The school was started by Legrand and Fanise Cherilus, who are Haitian-American citizens. They simply put up a palm thatch structure, hired some teachers, and told them that they would pay them if God provided. At times, the teachers went without pay, but they continued to teach because they had a job.
In December of 2003, Good Samaritan Foundation Inc. received the 501c3 status. At that time they began to raise funds to build a cement block school. After all, they had almost 500 children attending the thatch Mission School!Legrand passed away in 2005, but Fanise Cherilus and Martha Thum (two determined Christian missionaries) decided to continue the work. By March 2006, they had begun the block school building. By September 2006, the children were able to start school in the new building. How proud they felt of their new school!
This school was built entirely of donations. Many of the donors are members of Churches throughout Florida, and also a few others across the USA. 100% of monies donated go directly toward the school and its projects.
When the word got out about the contributions by Beaufort Sister Cities and her sister cities in France, other local organizations stepped up to the plate. Beaufort Woman's Club auctioned three Haitian paintings for a contribution of more than $600. The Tiller School contributed five basketballs and two air pumps. Beaufort Middle School collected $377.77 from staff and students to round out the local support for Good Samaritan School in 2009 to over $3,000!!
