In 1981, Sister Flora Blanchette, of the Centre missionnaire des Auxiliaires Franciscaines, arrived in Île-à-Vache. A nurse by training, she opened a dispensary to serve the community. She provided care to sick people of limited means, organized mobile health clinics throughout the island, and took in orphans and people with disabilities of all ages. A daycare, Petits Poussins, opened. The centre grew quickly, and the need to open a primary school became clear.
Today, the organization consists of three sections: a care centre for children, including around 30 with disabilities, a school and a pharmacy. TSF supports the care centre, while the school and pharmacy receive assistance from other stakeholders.
TSF began supporting the organization in 2015, contributing to a specific project, then provided financial assistance for the care centre’s operations in 2016.
TSF also helped Sister Flora with the transition to new leadership; the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi now run the organization.
