When you support education in Haiti by donating to Haitian education or sponsoring students in Haiti, you’re empowering children to change the world. The dignity and hope that’s restored when people can help themselves lay a direct path to the improvement of individual lives and communities in Haiti.
Like all kids, Haitian children have dreams. With your help, Practical Compassion wants to foster these dreams by not only supporting medical missions in Haiti but also by investing in the education system.
Our vision for students receiving scholarships from Practical Compassion includes the initial impact of enthusiasm and hope, along with the future opportunities education will afford them — opportunities such as becoming leaders in education, medicine, infrastructure, and politics.
Education in Haiti
Some people view the education system in Haiti as an insurmountable problem. We see it as a chance to share our blessings with our international neighbors. Here are some facts about the current situation:
- Public Schools. Public schools in Haiti are far and few in between. This void is filled by private schools sponsored by nonprofit organizations like Practical Compassion. Students must pass a national exam after grades sixth, ninth and eleventh to go to the next grade, and another after twelfth grade to graduate.
- Practical Compassion Assisted Schools. Our intention is to provide financial assistance to schools by establishing a fixed budget with the Haitian administrators to use as they see fit. We’re handing over ownership and responsibility of the school system from supplies to teacher salaries. The Haitian administrators also oversee the school building construction and repairs done by contracted Haitians we hire. Hiring local workers versus bringing our volunteers to do the work is a boost to the families in the community.
- Computer Education. Along with basic education, we can offer computer classes to make sure the Haitian students are equipped with this vital 21st-century skill. In November of 2012, the Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., donated five computers for us to take to Haiti to use in a secondary school. This was the beginning of an ongoing gift of generosity from LVC. Each time we traveled to Haiti, the Information Technologies Department at Lebanon Valley College donated more computers. As of November 2014, the secondary school now has a lab with 20 computers donated by LVC.
How Can You Help?
We invite you to join us in loving our neighbors in Haiti and donate to Haitian education. Our donors have the option of designating a portion of their money to support a specific student or contribute to the general education fund. Visit our donation page for more information.