The Haitian Project recently interviewed Patrick B., president of Fondation Haitian Project, THP's partner foundation in Haiti, regarding the security situation in the country. For almost 30 years, Patrick has been THP’s key partner on the ground in Haiti, playing an integral role in advancing the mission and vision of the Project.
How are people being affected by the security situation in Haiti?
Patrick: The impact is major. It affects every family, every level of society. There are people who had reasonable jobs, and from one day to another, their business closed. They have had to abandon their homes, sometimes with only a backpack.
Even with the businesses that are open, there is not a lot of activity. There are street markets in the roads because that is where people can shop. Very few hospitals are open; many have been destroyed. For the general population, it is very frustrating.
How has Louverture Cleary School been affected?
Patrick: Our students, our whole community … we know we are in a battle. Our way of resisting is to be working, to be in session. You can call it resilience, but we are fighting evil. And the way to fight evil is to continue to keep the school operating.
Our staff is very committed. Because of the insecurity, some students are dropped off by their parents on Monday morning instead of Sunday afternoon, and occasionally some teachers have to wait for things to calm down before they can make it to campus … but the Junior Staff, the staff, and the administration
are always there to step in. That is dedication. That commitment runs through the whole school community.
What gives you hope despite the challenging circumstances?
Patrick: Recently, we sent an invitation to every beneficiary of the LCS Dulcich Center for Career Advancement to come to the office, to connect with them about what they are doing and about the difficulties they are going through. They spoke of their challenges and what they have to go through to attend university, if they are able. But they are not giving up. They will carry the torch. They are the future.
What gives me hope? The Network gives me hope. Because I was recently sitting with 123 LCS alumni. When the Louverture Cleary Schools Network is complete, I will be sitting there with 1,230 alumni.
And that is hopeful. That is where the hope comes from.
A version of this Community Update ran as an article in the April 2025 issue of Haitian Project News. If you would like to receive our newsletter, either electronically or on paper, email THP at [email protected] today!
