Kentz are deeply involved in the rebuilding process that is now in full stride in Haiti. Earlier this year Noel Kelly, director of Kentz's, travelled in person to witness the damage caused to most of the country's buildings, including one primary school where over 200 children lost their lives.

He had a second task on that trip - to establish how money raised by employees of Kentz could best be invested in Haiti.

Kentz have set up the 'Kentz Haiti Relief Fund' and Noel was asked by Kentz CEO, Hugh O'Donnell, to take on the task of establishing how the Kentz Haiti Relief Fund should be best invested.

Noel explains, the aim was to invest in the sustainable redevelopment of educational facilities and to support the children of Haiti.

"I travelled to Haiti with Denis O’Brien, chairman of the Digicel Group who are well established in the Caribbean. I spent a number of weeks meeting different officials and aid organisations, I also spent time working on site on the demolition of various buildings with the Digicel Group for the Ministry of Education.

"I personally witnessed the extent of the destruction which you will have seen on news reports. As of February, an estimated three million people have been affected by the quake; the Haitian Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people have been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless."

One of the places visited by Noel on his visit to Haiti was St. Gerard’s Primary School. Following the earthquake, reports state that the Haitian capital, Port au Prince, has lost 90% of its educational capacity, across primary, secondary and third level institutions. The capital had approximately 6,000 schools.

"This is a colossal loss, with hugely significant implications for the future education of a generation of children and young adults," Noel points out. "St Gerard's Primary School had over one thousand pupils, with two shifts of classes per day including morning and evening sessions.

"When the earthquake struck at 5pm, it was reported that 453 pupils were in the school. Only 250 children were accounted for and it was assumed that there were approximately 200 children trapped in the building. The building had to be demolished manually to recover the bodies and give them a proper burial.

"All the bodies were recovered and mechanical equipment completed the demolition."

Kentz have decided to invest the money raised by the 'Kentz Haiti Relief Fund' to help rebuild St Gerards.

"In conjunction with Digicel Foundation, we have decided to help rebuild St. Gerard’s Primary School with the funds generated by Kentz. This will be a prototype school and should help to secure the approval from the government to build another 50 transitional schools near Port Au Prince.