Petra Nemcova Celebrates the Completion of the Kindergarten at the Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje, the First Happy Hearts Fund School Building Completed in Haiti

CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, Haiti, May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Petra Nemcova, Founder and Chairwoman of the Happy Hearts Fund (HHF), is proud to announce the completion of the construction of the kindergarten section of "Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje" with Foundation ProDev, its partner in Haiti.  The opening of this new facility will contribute to bring quality education for those who need it the most in Haiti.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110517/NY03994-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110517/NY03994-b)

"We are grateful for the work done by Happy Hearts Fund and Petra Nemcova and her love for Haiti, they are a genuine partner of Haiti, and we look forward to a long lasting relationship in our quest to increase the literacy rate in the country," stated Laurent Lamothe, adviser to the President of Haiti.  

"The key to success is the creation of a High Standard Network of Schools across the country," says Daniel Kedar, chairman of the board of ProDev, the local foundation behind the Zoranje school campus concept, "and this is what we are in the process of doing with many long-term committed partners such as HHF. It starts with one, two pilot schools, and with them as a model, its grows." As such, ProDev is currently providing quality education to over 2,000 children in the country.

Speaking on the significance of the opening, Petra Nemcova stated, "Building the kindergarten section of Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje' at this point in time in Haiti's history has great meaning for Happy Hearts Fund.  It marks the first of our next 50 schools at a time when Haiti is also celebrating a new beginning, for a new Haiti.  Seeing the happiness in the eyes of the children whom will receive a safe school while empowering and bringing a brighter future to them, their community and future generations makes my heart overjoyed."

Happy Hearts Fund has been involved in education initiatives in Haiti since 2007 when it opened an IT laboratory and today is proud to announce this new school opening, which will provide a safe learning environment, playground and quality education for 102 children. The building was designed by architect Christian Dutour and built by JD Construction. On the walls of the three Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje' school buildings, you can read "Edikasyon se sel solisyon", which translates into "Education is the only solution", ProDev's President Maryse Penette-Kedar's motto.

SOURCE Happy Hearts Fund