In the fall of 2021, Haiti’s Commission Nationale des Marchés Publics (National Public Procurement Commission, or CNMP) held a national essay contest for final year and graduating university students. Entrants were invited to write three to five pages on the topic “Public procurement: an effective tool for the implementation of public policies.”

When the top ten finalists were announced in November, not one, but TWO Louverture Cleary School (LCS) alumni were among them: Jothsaïna P. (LCS '14) and Jacob K. (LCS '15)!

Jothsaïna went on to be among the final three competitors and, at a December ceremony commemorating the 17th anniversary of CNMP, was named the winner of the contest and the J.F.R. Marcello Prize.

Jothsaïna, who attended law school in Haiti with help from a scholarship from LCS’s Dulcich Center for Career Advancement, was preparing her thesis on public contract law in her final year of her degree when she learned of the opportunity to use that knowledge in the contest. She reflected on her winning essay:

“The most important thing to make clear was transparency in contracts. The public administration has to put the information out to the public. What is the state doing, does it have a result, is it efficient? Money should be used to serve the general interest. Contracts need to be transparent.”

Additionally, Jothsaïna was recently awarded the Pauline Parris Scholarship that will send her to Trinity College in Ireland to pursue a master's degree in international peace studies. She plans to bring what she learns back to Haiti to support a brighter future for her country. Speaking to a Haitian news outlet about the award, Jothsaïna said:

“Currently there are many conflicts in Haiti, whether at the level of the gangs or the public authorities. In applying for this scholarship, I thought to myself that it could really help me in this area. It would allow me to analyze and understand the mechanisms of conflict management.”

Jothsaïna and Jacob are both excellent examples of how Louverturians continue to excel both professionally and when it comes to giving back to their community.

While studying law at Quisqueya University, Jothsaïna returned to LCS to teach Education Citoyenne (Citizenship) class. She also serves as a debate coach with the organization FOKAL—a way for her to give back to the same debate program she and her fellow students participated in while at LCS. Now working as a licensed lawyer, she and her colleagues support and encourage women to increase their participation in fields like politics and other social interests.

For his part, Jacob earned a highly sought-after spot in the State University of Haiti’s medical school after graduating from LCS, then volunteered his time at free medical clinics with other LCS Alumni in the medical field for the community around LCS. He served as the junior staff medical assistant at LCS during his studies as well, assisting the school and local community as they weathered the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on the impact of LCS on his work and on Haiti, Jacob says,

“Rare are the institutions in the country that teach us to be good students but also engaged citizens. In addition to academic values, LCS ​​instills moral and patriotic values ​​in us. LCS is a valuable social actor whose mission is to rebuild Haiti.”

A Louverture Cleary education can indeed change a life. And, through that life, a thousand more.

Congratulations to Jothsaïna and Jacob, and to all our LCS alumni who continue to work hard to build a brighter, more transparent and just future for their country!

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