Colby Bowker
Why Haiti, Why Now
Why Haiti, Why Now
Colby Bowker
“The Haitian Project: A Blueprint for Solving ...
“The Haitian Project: A Blueprint for Solving Big Problems” - Ever Widening Circles

Some Great Ways to Support THP's Mission this Holiday Season!

Looking for ways to support The Haitian Project during the holiday season? Not only do we have a reason this season... we also have some great ideas! 

One of our favorite ways to give is The Haitian Project's Gift of Education, a gift that will make a meaningful impact generation after generation.

Make a donation in any amount to The Haitian Project in honor of a friend or family member this holiday season, and The Haitian Project will send a Christmas card notifying the honoree of the gift! To give the Gift of Education, visit www.haitianproject.org/donate. 

For those in a position to make a gift of stock or another appreciated asset, or to give through your IRA, it is very easy to do! 

To make your gift, simply use this form to provide the necessary information to your broker and email us a copy so that we may properly credit your gift. You can also give through an IRA with a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution. Get in touch with us at [email protected] or by calling 401-351-3624 to make your gift or to learn more!

Make a brighter future for Haiti with a recurring donation or planned gift!

Visit HaitianProject.org where it is easy (and very helpful!) to set up a recurring donation (sign up once and you are good to go—you can modify your donation at any time!) 

You can also make a legacy contribution through Planned Giving—just email us at [email protected] for more info!

You can make the most of your online shopping during the holiday season.

Amazon will donate a portion of eligible purchases to a customer's designated charity—like The Haitian Project!—through its AmazonSmile program. Visit smile.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon credentials...then select The Haitian Project to support a real solution to poverty in Haiti!

A mission is only as strong as the community that sends it.
We appreciate everyone's support! 

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

LCS Celebrates First Mass of New School Year on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Father Maxo J. C. celebrates the first Mass of the new school year on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

The Louverture Cleary School community gathered for Mass today to celebrate the opening of school and observe the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This all-school celebration of the Eucharist marked the first LCS Mass for the new Sizyem (U.S. 7th Grade) students.

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Maxo J.C., a Catholic priest with the local Camillian community, who is also serving this year as a Religion teacher at LCS. LCS students participated as readers, altar servers, and members of the LCS Choir, which beautifully led the school in song.

After so much time apart during the delay of school opening, it was wonderful to see the school community come together in such a unifying and prayerful way. All-school Mass is always a joyful way to continue to live out The Haitian Project’s Charism (spiritual identity) as a community.

Having Fr. Maxo as part of the LCS community not only benefits the school with more frequent opportunities to attend Mass, but also provides opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation to Catholic members of our community.

Please join the school in prayer and ask for Our Lady's intercession on behalf of Haiti, our community, and for all of us to say our own fiat (yes) to God's call to us.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

The December Issue of Haitian Project News is Here!

LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. (standing center) and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Outreach Carolande L. with Junior Staff Medical Student Jean Michel P. (left) facilitate a community support program.

Read all about it...

An update on the situation in Haiti: By now, most people have heard about the difficulties in Haiti. Even in a world full of challenges, the already dire situation in Haiti has deteriorated enough in recent months to become a regular fixture in the U.S. media. Read more about how these challenges have affected Haiti and Louverture Cleary School in the December issue of Haitian Project News.

What else is featured in this issue?

  • LCS leadership is looking inward to identify the needs, potential for growth, and new opportunities that will not only support the current school, but also form the leaders of LCS 2—the second campus in what will become the 10-school LCS Network. And it is clear that the key to replicating the academically-rigorous, formative, and service-oriented environment that defines a Louverture Cleary School will be the people involved.

  • Though the LCS campus is self-sustaining in terms of energy and water production, it is far from self-maintaining. The LCS Maintenance Team is not only responsible for taking care of the school, they are tasked with laying the groundwork for the future schools in the LCS Network.

  • Many things can be said of long-time THP supporter Pat Newell: enthusiastic, positive, and lively are among them. Last month reaffirmed two more: loyal and dedicated. Pat has now officially been a supporter of the Project for twenty years!

  • Read about these topics and more of the latest THP happenings in the December issue of Haitian Project News!

Meet the knowledgeable and dedicated LCS Maintenance Team in the December issue of Haitian Project News.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

A Very Welcome Back, Louverturians!

Louverture Cleary students gather for morning assembly as LCS's 35th school year begins!

When Haiti’s Ministry of Education delayed the start of the 2022-2023 school year due to the security situation in the country, we made the most of the downtime. There was no shortage of work to do, and it turns out you can get a lot done when the campus is quiet!

But, of course, we were also constantly looking for an opportunity to safely return our students to school.

Now, we are overjoyed to share that students were able to return to campus late last month and that Louverture Cleary School is now back in full swing for the 2022-2023 school year!

This is an amazing feat amidst the current challenges in the country. We are especially grateful for our skilled and dedicated Haitian leadership and staff on the ground who worked hard to make it happen

As LCS Principal Marjorie M. (LCS '07) enthusiastically states, "We are all so happy about the reopening of the class [for the 2022-2023 school year]. It is also a victory for us to have the students and the community back in this difficult time in the country. They are living in a dangerous zone and are experiencing bad situations, so being at school is best and a safe environment for them. The students and their education are our priority because they represent the future of Haiti."

While waiting for school to reopen, management and facilities projects on campus included things like making repairs to the residence buildings, improving standard operating procedures, and continuing to develop the staffing plans for LCS 2. They also launched initiatives to provide food, clean water, and cholera prevention training and resources to the school’s neighborhood.

As productive as these projects were, though, nothing beats having Louverturians back on campus, ready to tackle the new year.

"After 2 months of acute instability, it is incredible to have finally seen LCS welcome back all students and staff on campus. Considerable efforts were made to prepare for the reopening, and it was truly a celebration for everyone who expressed how happy they were to be back," affirms Stéphanie B., Executive Director of Fondation Haitian Project, The Haitian Project's partner foundation in Haiti.

We are grateful for and proud of all of our colleagues in Haiti who have worked tirelessly to make this happen and to continue the mission in the face of so many challenges.

We'd also like to thank you, our THP community, for your support, prayers and advocacy on behalf of our students and mission.

Please join us in wishing the students, faculty, and staff a wonderful and successful school year!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Thank You for a Successful Giving Tuesday!

To everyone who took a moment to donate or share The Haitian Project's message yesterday in honor of Giving Tuesday... thank you!

As is so often the case, we at The Haitian Project were touched by the generosity and kindness of our community in honor of this global day of giving.

And if you didn't have a chance to participate, it's never too late. Donate now to show your support for our students and alumni and the power of education in Haiti.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Gwo Mesi (Huge Thanks) to Our Community...and Our Students

A special Thanksgiving reflection from THP Board Member Dave Albertine.

Dear THP Community,

As I look at recent photos and reflect on our students in Haiti, especially our many graduates, I see their wide smiles, shining eyes and hopes for the future. What remarkable students! Their faces are bright, holding promise and expectation, even when they come from families with few resources. They persevere within a country facing immense challenges.

As we approach our celebration of Thanksgiving, I say to them all: thank you so much, dear students, for what you have given to us. Thank you for reflecting God’s graces, which you show to us by your commitment to your education, by your service to your school and community, by the love you give to your families, and by the efforts you make in your young lives every day.

Of course, I am sure our students would be surprised to find we are thanking them. But by living the Louverture Cleary School motto, "What you receive for free, you must give for free" (Matthew 10:8), our students make all of us better people. They remind us of the humility and commitment we must have to support the work of The Haitian Project.

And there are so many others who deserve thanks as well, such as The Haitian Project leadership in Haiti and in the United States, our talented and dedicated staff and teachers, members of our board of directors and, of course, our many supporters and contributors.

I am confident that in our thankfulness to our students, we will not fail them. We will continue to provide them with the financial and other resources they need, and we will continue to offer our prayers that God help us to succeed as we build our second school and continue plans for the Louverture Cleary Schools Network.

As we gather with our friends and families this Thanksgiving Day, think of our student’s faces, remember their hopes and dreams, pray for their safety and care, and thank God for all the blessings that are shined upon us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave Albertine

Board Member—The Haitian Project

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

The October Issue of Haitian Project News is Here!

Read all about it...

Preparing for the new school year: The 60 newly-selected Sizyèm (U.S. 7th grade) students and students filling open seats in other grades attend LCS orientation in August.

Many things go into getting Louverture Cleary School ready for the first day of school. And although the challenges surrounding the economic and security situation in Haiti were key factors in the decision by Haiti’s Ministry of Education to delay the start of the 2022-23 school year, there is no shortage of work to do at LCS in the meantime. The staff at LCS is making good use of the extra time by making improvements to campus, preparing lessons, and continuing their work on the staffing plans for LCS 2. Read all about these preparations in the latest issue of Haitian Project News!

What else is featured in this issue?

  • Have you ever thought about including The Haitian Project in your will or estate plan? THP community members Scott and Mary Jo LeGrand talk about why The Haitian Project was at the top of their list when they decided to leave a legacy of education in their will.

  • With inflation recently exceeding 30 percent, Haiti has not been spared from the cost-of-living crisis rocking the globe. Read how Louverture Cleary School has seen this impact firsthand.

  • Just before LCS celebrated its 27th graduation, the Philo (U.S. 12th grade +1) class participated in a seminar presented by young professionals from Bank of America Private Bank. This first-of-its-kind virtual event, and the first of what is intended to become an annual event for each graduating class, was a valuable capstone to the robust business instruction the students had received throughout the year.

  • By his estimate, long-time THP community member and architect Scott Hill has taken about 25 trips to Haiti. When the vision for the Louverture Cleary Schools Network came into view, the administration at The Haitian Project knew who to call. And, of course, Scott said yes to being involved.

  • Read about these topics and more of the latest THP happenings in the October issue of Haitian Project News!

“The key is that it [supporting THP] goes to advancing education. Not just giving somebody what they need to survive but giving them the knowledge, impetus, and hopefully motivation that the world is a fantastic place and it’s full of wonder.” Read more in the article "From the Ground Up: A Conversation with Scott Hill" in the October issue of Haitian Project News!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

The Results Are In! And They Are Perfect!

Louverture Cleary School 2021-2022 Philo (U.S. 12th grade + 1) Class

The Haitian Project is thrilled to announce that Louverture Cleary School has continued its tradition of excellence with another perfect 100 percent pass rate on the Katryèm (U.S. 9th grade) state exam and on the Philo (U.S. 12th grade + 1) national Baccalaureate exam—a particularly great achievement during this period of ongoing difficulty in Haiti!

Passing these exams is required for Katryèm students to move on to Twazyèm (U.S. 10th grade) and the start of the Secondaire (high school level) curriculum, and for Philo students to be eligible to attend university in Haiti.

Louverture Cleary School Principal Marjorie M. reflects:

It is always a success for Louverture Cleary School to obtain 100 percent success in the state exams. This year again, despite the difficulties we went through, we still aim for academic excellence. Our 9th grade and Philo (U.S. 12th grade + 1) students have obtained a 100 percent score on the state exams of the year 2021- 2022, out of a percentage of 51.01 percent of the western department.

Our Louverturians always make the difference even amidst the socio-political situation of the country and the gang wars in their popular districts.

To keep the torch still burning in such circumstances is for us a great victory. The 9th grade and Philo classes worked very hard to achieve this success, and they did it again.

We congratulate them, and we thank Marjorie and all of the LCS faculty and administration who work with such dedication to prepare Louverturians for success year after year!

We need your help to finish the Back to School campaign to support the next generation of servant-leaders at Louverture Cleary School! We’re 75 percent of the way to our goal! Help us bring it home by donating to the general campaign or picking a community member’s fundraiser to support.

Together, let’s work towards a brighter future for Haiti, built by Haitians themselves. Thank you!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Bank of America Private Bank Invests in Haiti's Future Servant-Leaders

Philo students (U.S. 12th grade +1) from the Louverture Cleary School Class of 2022 with their instructor, LCS Economics Department Head Djim G. (LCS’ 14), attend a virtual seminar presented by professionals from Bank of America Private Bank.

Just before Louverture Cleary School (LCS) celebrated its 27th graduation in June, the Philo (U.S. 12 grade + 1) class participated in a seminar on business ethics, personal finance, and professional growth presented by young professionals from Bank of America (BofA) Private Bank to help prepare them for their next steps toward university and careers in Haiti.

The BofA Private Bank team worked with The Haitian Project (THP) Programs Office to supplement the already robust business curriculum at LCS through developing and presenting the Business Ethics and Professional Development Seminar, sharing practices valued by BofA Private Bank and applicable to the reality of business and life in Haiti.

This first-of-its-kind virtual event, and the first of what is intended to become an annual event for each graduating class, was a valuable capstone to the business instruction the students had received throughout the year and an exciting evolution in the collaboration between THP and BofA Private Bank.

This event was especially meaningful for this class of students who were preparing to leave LCS after their seven years and had persevered through an exceedingly difficult year of instability in Haiti. The students knew that the principles learned in the seminar would be helpful whether they were going on to study economics, business, medicine, education, law, engineering, or any of the other fields they pursued.

Participants in the Business Ethics and Professional Development Seminar held in June 2022, clockwise from top left: Bank of America (BofA) Private Bank Wealth Analyst Tyrous “Will” Ingram IV, 2022 LCS Philo (U.S. 12th Grade + 1) Class, BofA Private Bank Wealth Analyst Katherine Paglione, BofA Private Bank Vice President Employee Programs & Advancement Consultant Thomas Taylor, THP Director of Charism & Missionary Program Amanda Haluga, and BofA Private Bank Division Performance Executive Soamoya Rankins.

The connection between THP and BofA Private Bank began over seven years ago when then-THP Board Member and BofA Private Bank Managing Director Jim Reulbach made the introduction. Today, BofA Private Bank Division Performance Executive Soamoya Rankins enthusiastically drives the relationship. In 2021, Soamoya’s desire to get her team more deeply involved with THP’s mission led to new avenues of involvement and impact as young professionals in BofA Private Bank’s Wealth Management Analyst program were paired with not one, but two departments at THP throughout the past year.

In addition to the team who collaborated on the seminar, another team worked with THP’s Office of Institutional Advancement to enhance THP’s online presence, including website and search engine optimization, as well as fundraising initiatives like the annual Rhode Island-based campaign 401Gives.

BofA Private Bank continued to go above and beyond even after the school year ended. In July, analysts in Charlotte, NC, held a backpack drive, gathering and preparing bags full of school supplies for new students at LCS. This initiative was led by BofA Private Bank Vice President and Private Client Manager Steve Boland, who also oversaw the connection with the two teams during the year.

Representatives from THP were also invited to speak to an audience of approximately 2,000 Bank of America summer interns from around the world to talk about THP’s mission, its partnership with BofA Private Bank, and opportunities for future involvement.

IN THEIR WORDS: The Team at BofA Private Bank Talks About Their Partnership with THP and LCS...

““These curious, bright, and hardworking students are future doctors, investors, computer scientists, and leaders. Being able to contribute on a small scale to their progress and learning was such a phenomenal opportunity. Learning about the economic structure of Haiti in comparison to the United States was also a unique experience.””
— Seminar Presenter/BofA Private Bank Wealth Analyst Katherine Paglione
““Bank of America’s partnership with THP has been a blossoming relationship, enabling a deep dive in fostering business skillsets with the students and enhancing THP’s presence internally and externally from a media and consulting viewpoint. Personally, I have been excited to be a part of the team’s efforts and become well acquainted with THP’s leadership and seeing firsthand the impact on the LCS students.””
— BofA Private Bank Vice President and Private Client Manager Steve Boland
““Initially, I was motivated to get involved to take a position of leadership and help the students develop a more holistic understanding of ‘business ethics’ and what it means ‘to work in a corporate environment.’ My biggest takeaway from the experience is simply that curiosity is a theme that persists in societies all over the world.”
”
— Seminar Presenter/BofA Private Bank Wealth Analyst Tyrous “Will” Ingram IV
““As the Executive Sponsor, our partnership with THP provides an opportunity for us to give back in a truly meaningful way that will have real-time impacts on the lives of the students that THP serves. It is a joy and an honor to help serve the students of LCS in any way that we can.””
— BofA Private Bank Division Performance Executive Soamoya Rankins
 

Be on the look out for the full story in the upcoming fall edition of Haitian Project News. If you would like to begin receiving The Haitian Project's quarterly newsletter, send us an email at [email protected]!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Kan D'Ete: Summer Camp at LCS

Local children from the neighborhood around Louverture Cleary School participate in Kan D'ete this summer, learning, playing and growing as leaders in this important part of the LCS Outreach Program.

While summer at Louverture Cleary School means a break from normal school operations such as classes, the mission of LCS to form Haiti’s future leaders never truly rests.

This summer, while most LCS students were at home for vacation, the school’s Outreach Department held Kan D’ete (summer camp) for children enrolled in the Koukouy Early Childhood Development Program during the school year and other children from the area who may not usually benefit from LCS's community outreach programs. Amid the continued unrest and violence in the Port-au-Prince area, LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. and the staff of the Koukouy program led the day camp, a welcome resource to parents who could be sure their children were in a safe and formative environment, and an educational and fun way for the children to spend their days.

Nearly 100 children participated in art classes, sports, and theater, learned bible stories, and received a hot meal. Additionally, 10 LCS students and 10 young adults from the neighborhood were engaged as leaders and instructors, both assisting the staff members and modeling Louverturian values to the children who hope one day to also attend LCS.

Kan D’ete has been a staple of the LCS Outreach Program for years, originally instated by former Outreach Director and family missionary Christina Moynihan. On its inception and purpose, Christina reflects:

Because our Koukouy and many other children in the neighborhood did not have much to do during the summer months—besides chores and mischief—we decided to invite them on to our campus for some organized play. The first year, we welcomed over 60 children and found we needed help with the order and discipline, so we asked some LCS students to help. Ultimately, the program developed into 100 children—10 groups of 10 children, each headed by one Louverturian and one "Capitan" (a teenager from the neighborhood). There are five themed activities in different parts of the campus, so the children spend about 40 minutes reading in the library, singing, dancing, acting out Bible stories, playing on the jungle gym, and playing soccer. Kan D’ete has become a uniquely wonderful time to teach children about God's love for them and empower them with social skills, while allowing the Louverturians ample opportunity to serve and set good examples for these little ones.

Just like the Koukouy Program itself, Kan D’ete is much more than fun and education for local children—it is a solution to societal issues and a catalyst for change.

Children, especially teenagers, who are engaged in camp are not in the streets and therefore away from the gang violence and the dangerous, prevalent eye of those looking to recruit young men into the gangs. Families can stay together as LCS provides a place for the children during the day while parents work, and the discipline, structure, and formation instills Louverturian values of stewardship, work, and community in even the youngest of participants.

Daëlle and her staff demonstrate a true dedication to the community which allows them to see and fill needs, positively affect lives, and carry out our mission on a daily basis, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

As Director of Outreach, Daëlle E. oversees the Koukouy Program, Lekòl Ankourajman, and other community education and support programs, and remains always attentive to the needs of the children and families in the neighborhood. Pictured here is Daëlle in 2020 leading LCS's community support efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.