An Update from Hope for Haiti Education Program Director, Jean Ronald Jocelyn:
Dear Hope for Haiti Family,
As violence and unrest mount in Haiti, living conditions for the majority of the population are deteriorating. Today, tens of thousands of children are at risk of dropping out of school, and they lack the most essential supplies and support to continue learning. Parents who used to scramble to provide for their families and keep their children at school no longer know which way to turn. Today more than ever, Haiti’s children and their parents need our support to maintain the continuity of education in their communities.
In this time of turmoil and uncertainty, I remain certain that education can and will change Haiti in the future if we invest in the long-term development of Haiti’s education system. As a Haitian and leader of Hope for Haiti’s education programs, I’ve been a first-hand witness to the power of our programming. As we plan to support the education system in Haiti during these challenging times, there are three main areas where I believe we should apply our focus:
1. Teacher Salary Support and Training for Teachers: Maintaining a stable and qualified teaching force is crucial for ensuring the continuity and quality of education. However, teachers in Haiti face financial hardships during times like now, which can lead to disruptions in schooling if they are unable to continue working or if they seek alternative employment. By providing salary support and training to teachers, especially during challenging times, schools can retain experienced educators and prevent interruptions in learning. Additionally, investing in training programs for teachers equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to address the unique challenges that may arise during a crisis, such as trauma-informed teaching techniques or adapting curriculum delivery to accommodate disruptions.
Our Education team hosted a training event earlier this month for the principals of our 24 partner schools in southern Haiti in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
2. School Feeding and Nutrition Programs: The World Food Program estimates that there are currently 6 million people in Haiti who are facing extreme food insecurity, many of them children. Access to food in Haiti has become even more limited due to disruptions in supply chains. Implementing and maintaining school feeding programs during these times can ensure that children receive essential nutrients for their physical and cognitive development. These programs can serve as a safety net for vulnerable children who may be disproportionately affected by the crisis, helping to mitigate the negative impact on their health and overall well-being.
Students at the primary school in Marre à Coiffe enjoy freshly prepared lunches through our school lunch program last week.
3. Health, Hygiene, and Sanitation at Schools: Schools in Haiti serve as important hubs for promoting health, hygiene, and sanitation practices that help prevent the transmission of illnesses. By investing in infrastructure improvements, such as clean water sources, handwashing stations, and proper sanitation facilities, we can help school leaders create safer learning environments for students, teachers, and staff. Additionally, integrating health education into the curriculum using a Community Health Worker model can empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves and their communities during a crisis, promoting overall resilience and well-being.
In our partner community of Boisrond, students learn proper handwashing techniques in their school’s sanitary block.
As we stay alongside our partner communities in these difficult times, we are calling for solidarity to continue supporting education for those children and the thousands who are fleeing to southern Haiti in search of minimum safety and access to basic human rights.
Today, more than ever, we feel challenged, but we can’t stand by and do nothing. Let’s rally to support education for those kids by helping us subsidize the salary for teachers who work to educate Haiti’s future leaders. Let’s rally to equip Haitian school children with the most critical school supplies they need to succeed, and let’s provide them with school lunch, health education, and sanitation so they grow healthy and learn better.
Haiti will not perish, Haiti will rise. We can all make that happen by supporting education for children with a long-term, holistic approach.
Jean Ronald Jocelyn, Education Program Manager, Hope for Haiti