A CARIBBEAN clergyman whose community is being transformed paid tribute to the people of Troon who have helped at a special assembly last week.

Pastor Rolex Poisson from Haiti was invited to an assembly at Muirhead Primary School on Thursday.

He spoke of his joy that work on the construction of a new primary school in his hometown of Ounaminthe is set to get underway next month, with money raised in Troon helping to fund it.

The father-of-four, whose family were brought to Haiti as slaves, was a guest of Seagate Church Pastor Richard Woods, who is helping spearhead the project for the charity Mission International, who also plan to help build a new church.

He said: “Thanks to the people of Troon who have been very generous in their support. I never thought this would happen. The project is going very well. 

“The children in Haiti hope to be able to send a message to people over there to thank them. We are hoping for a better future here, free education would help people develop citizenship and that’s important.

"Hopefully one day the schools in Haiti will be like the ones in Scotland. It’s difficult in Haiti as we have no electricity and running water.”

Primary Schools across Troon have played a big part in the Haiti project.

Pupils at Troon,  Barassie, Struthers, Muirhead and Dundonald, along with St Patrick’s  Primaries have helped raise around £2000 in all.

Muirhead Primary headteacher June Stefani said they took part in the Walk To Haiti, which saw them clock up a combined 2,000k and joined churches across the community in the Clark’s Shoe Appeal, which saw 1,200 pairs of shoes donated. Bags and dresses have also been donated.

South Ayrshire Council are donating furniture and 20 laptops to the school and Troon children will also record video messages for the Haiti pupils.