Resilience in action: education, health, and progress across Haiti

As Haiti navigates a new political transition, PRODEV remains steadfast in its mission to support vulnerable communities. From expanding educational access to launching critical health initiatives, our work continues across the country. This edition highlights our latest efforts, impact, and the resilience of the children and families we serve.

Country Update

Haiti’s nine-member council overseeing the country’s political transition has selected UN official Garry Conille as Haiti's next prime minister. The decision comes amid a period of turmoil for the country, which has seen violent gangs seize control over 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. It is expected that Prime Minister Conille will work to stabilize Haiti’s chaotic situation and oversee the arrival of the Kenyan peacekeeping police.

Port-au-Prince’s international airport has reopened and flights to and from Haiti have resumed. While most are hopeful that Haiti is on the much-anticipated path to political stability, the situation on the ground remains tense, and violence continues to wreak havoc in vulnerable communities.

PRODEV Updates

Regional Impact

PRODEV recently inaugurated its regional office in the North. We will be expanding our reach in the North as the institution responsible for the implementation of the Support Project for the Ten-Year Education and Training Plan (PAPDEF).

Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and in collaboration with Haiti’s Ministry of Education (MENFP) we are working with 18 public schools to fortify educational outcomes through teacher training and coaching, PRODEV will also be responsible for the establishment of school councils composed of parents, students and community stakeholders. We are so honored!

Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje (ENZ) — Ouest

We have officially reopened our doors at Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje and welcomed our children back to school. Although we are still concerned about the uncertainty that now rules life in the capital, we shared our school community’s joy in officially reopening our campus.

While we have resumed classes, many schools have remained closed. Lekòl Katye continues to offer educational support to over 300 children.

Ecole Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable (EJPBS) — Artibonite

Ecole Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable has remained fully operational despite the City of Saint Marc’s climate of violence and insecurity. The school is grateful to parents and community stakeholders who continue to ensure that school grounds are secure. Over 300 students have access to child-centered education where they study in French, English and Creole.

Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean (ENRC)—North

Students at ENRC, fully supported by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, continue to shine. ENRC is located in Cap Haitien, often considered one of Haiti’s safest destinations. Our students continue to shine academically and artistically. Our talented student marching band is growing in popularity and we are so proud to have marched during Haiti’s Flag Day celebrations in Cap Haitien.

Summer Camp

Summer Camp 2024 at PRODEV-operated schools will be critically important this year, especially in Port-au-Prince where children are still impacted by ongoing violence and insecurity. This year, all participants will be offered evidence-based psychosocial activities designed to address the recurring trauma they experience daily. The summer camp will also include a robust academic enrichment program which will ensure that students catch up on gaps caused by the interruptions of ongoing social unrest.

Over 900 children will have access to summer camp activities including academic enrichment, physical education, arts, music and a daily meal.

In the South

Due to the violence and insecurity in the capital, schools in the South experienced a rise in the number of students enrolled as over 300,000 internally displaced families moved to provincial cities throughout the country.

PRODEV provides training to 153 teachers and school administrators. With rising concerns about child abuse, we offered a series of workshops to administrators, teachers, parents and students about child abuse, focusing on prevention and intervention. All children have received age-appropriate information about their rights to be protected from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Although initially reluctant to participate, parents are deeply touched by how these workshops have impacted and transformed their lives.

We are also grateful to the partners and donors who made our school gardens possible. Over 1200 children in nine schools are learning how to grow their own food. Under the supervision of teachers and parent volunteers, they planted and harvested vegetables using modern water management methods. Parents invited to participate enjoyed gardening with their children. Operating under the technical supervision of an agronomist, school gardens have yielded harvests beyond our expectations. Many school administrators point to the infusion of fresh vegetables in the school lunch menu as a tangible benefit of the gardens.

Teacher Training Workshops

About 440 teachers from the West, South, Artibonite and North departments will receive teacher training workshops focusing on teaching child-centered strategies. This year, we will emphasize trauma-informed care in the classroom from pre-K to ninth grade.

Grand Opening Community Health Center at Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje

As a flu epidemic called the ‘fever’ sweeps throughout Port-au-Prince, your support brings relief to hundreds of children.

New Miss Caidor Health Center

Miss Caidor Health Center’s grand opening at Lourie Community Center took place on April 1st, 2024. Named after Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje’s much-beloved nurse, the late Miss Caidor, the health center offers free preventive primary health care services to the village’s residents. The center prioritizes children from ENZ and beyond.

The center has already screened and served over 150 patients including 100 children.

As the number of patients grows rapidly, the need for the clinic has exceeded our expectations. We hope that your continued support will allow us to acquire the medical supplies, medication and diagnostic instruments most urgently needed at the center.

Stories

Lukens

A week ago, Wislande barely slept. Her 4-year-old son, Lukens, had caught the ‘fever.’ Even without a thermometer, she knew that his body was alarmingly hot. She took Lukens to the Miss Caidor Health Center, where Nurse Lunise saw him. Wislande was grateful and relieved that her child received the free medication he needed to alleviate his discomfort.

Lukens is feeling better now and is back at Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje. His mother is grateful that she did not have to travel out of the village to seek medical care.

Benjy

Ten-year-old Benjy was also affected by the ‘fever,’ which may have triggered an asthma attack. Benjy describes asthma as “very scary.” “I try to breathe, but it feels like the air cannot go down; sometimes I think I am going to die,” he said.

Relief comes only when he uses an inhaler, which costs more than his mother earns in three months. Thanks to the clinic, Benjy went home with his own inhaler and returned to school the next day. We are running out of inhalers and need your support to purchase more supplies.

The village is deeply grateful to the donors who have made this “miracle” happen!