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

We Did It! Mèsi!

Thank you graphic with group of happy students in uniform

We did it! 

During an exciting four days of giving, 179 people supported The Haitian Project, unlocking a $3,000 challenge gift and bringing in other matching funds from 401Gives sponsors. 

Together, we raised over $31,000 for Louverture Cleary Schools and ended up at #16 on the leaderboard out of more than 500 participating nonprofits!

We are beyond grateful for the outpouring of support in honor of this giving event and our mission of education in Haiti. To everyone who donated and spread the word (or simply cheered us on while being patient with all those emails!), and to our challenge gift sponsors, thank you! 

We couldn't do what we do without the support of our community members like you. 

Mèsi!

“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.

 

Celebrating and Inspiring Haiti’s Young Women

LCS Assistant Campus Minister Chrislie R. (left) presents to Twazyèm (U.S. 10th grade) and Segond (U.S. 11th grade) girls at their "Celebrate Women" retreat last month.

The Louverture Cleary School (LCS) community has always been counterculture in Haiti, modeling the change it wants to see in the country. It is a reliable, accountable employer and educator, recognizes the dignity in all types of work, and cares for the environment by being one of the first in Haiti to adopt solar technology and properly manage resources and waste.

And, perhaps most importantly, it creates equal opportunities for males and females.

The school was a trailblazer in ensuring girls had access to secondary education in the Port-au-Prince area by implementing policies early on that led to gender parity in its student body (see box below). Still, that was not all LCS would do to challenge gender bias and inequality. THP Chief Program Officer Aimée Maier recalls the inception of the girls empowerment program, “Celebrate Women,” which remains an impactful and enduring activity today:

“The 'Celebrate Women' program began during my 1998-99 Volunteer year. The idea and name was driven by Volunteer Moira Feeney and grew from the knowledge that, at that time in Haiti, males had more access to education than females did. Today, 'Celebrate Women' is one of the many examples of how LCS stands apart in its commitment to challenging norms which value the education and contribution of males above females.”

Girls in the Rhéto (U.S. 12th Grade) and Philo (U.S. 12th Grade + 1) classes make friendship bracelets as an activity during a Celebrate Women retreat.

Throughout the years, the "Celebrate Women" program has provided seminars and retreats for the empowerment of female students led by the strong female leaders in the LCS staff, junior staff, and U.S. Volunteer (Missionary) community. Empowering themes, mantras, songs, talks, and activities help girls to develop self-confidence, build teamwork, and grow as leaders. 

(A parallel program at LCS called “Man Up” also helps ensure that male students view their female counterparts as capable individuals and equals.)

As LCS Principal Marjorie M. (LCS '07) notes:

"What I like the most in 'Celebrate Women' is that it is an activity which gives us a way to teach girls to become better citizens for the future. It helps them to know themselves better, to value themselves, to accept who they are, and to focus on their goals, not to act as others want or society thinks they should. It is a way to reinforce self-confidence and know their rights and worth." 

The most recent "Celebrate Women" retreat took place in February right before Carnival break. Girls in the Twazyèm (U.S. 10th grade) and Segond (U.S. 11th grade) classes remained at school after Friday dismissal for an overnight retreat led by a remarkable team of female staff and junior staff members, the majority of whom were LCS alumnae and were formed in the "Celebrate Women" program themselves.

LCS Assistant Campus Minister Chrislie R. (LCS '14) participated in "Celebrate Women" activities as a student and now leads the retreats for a new generation of students: 

"'Celebrate Women' is important to LCS and Haiti because we want to empower our young girls so they can be the best version of themselves. In this activity we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all over the world. Our girls find models they can look up to, women that inspire them, women that show that they can accomplish great things in life. It is important for LCS and Haiti because it promotes gender equality. We want our future women to find their place in society and to use their full potential."

At a time when women and girls are being terrorized by gang violence in the country, it is especially important that LCS perseveres in providing a top-notch education and formation to Haiti’s young women. "Celebrate Women" equips Haiti’s future female leaders to exemplify the school’s values, achieve their career goals, and make a difference in their country, all while believing in themselves.

Ultimately, the slogan for this year’s retreat says it best: “I am beautiful, smart, talented—and that makes me the BEST and no one can take that from me.”

A Trailblazing Path...Ensuring Gender Equality at LCS

In the early days of Louverture Cleary School, boys in Haiti were more likely to be enrolled in school and granted job opportunities while girls were often relegated to working in the home. This favoritism was due to cultural biases about gender, and the cost and availability of education preventing families from sending all of their children to school. In 1996, the LCS student body was only 15 percent female.

School leadership addressed this disparity by implementing an affirmative action policy ensuring that at least 40 percent of each incoming class was female. Within only a few years, it became far less necessary to adjust the acceptance process. More girls applied to LCS each year and, since 2006, the student body has been over 50 percent female.

“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.

 

This Valentine's Day, Give the Gift of Education in Honor of Your Valentine!

Give the Gift of Education this Valentine’s Day in honor of your loved one! All donations will go directly to support Louverture Cleary School to help create a brighter future for Haiti.

Show your Valentine that you care about them in a meaningful way … by donating to The Haitian Project in their honor!

Simply make your donation online and select “Gift of Education” at checkout. Then fill in the honoree’s name and address to have them receive a Valentine’s Day card to celebrate your gift!

Happy Valentine's Day from The Haitian Project and Louverture Cleary School!

“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.

 

At LCS, a New Year Brings New Activities

LCS students play checkers during a new take on "No Ball Day," which introduces board games of all kinds on a special day each month. 

It is easy to tell when Netwayaj (clean-up) time has ended and Play Hour is beginning at Louverture Cleary School by the line of students assembled, eagerly awaiting their chance to use one of the school's soccer balls or basketballs. Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm with which soccer and basketball are met, they are only two of the many extracurricular activities now offered at LCS.

LCS's multi-talented and dedicated staff ensures that students have access during their free time to a number of offerings, from sports and crafts, to languages and trivia. 

And, to make sure that students get the chance to vary the way they spend their play time, a new take on "No Ball Day" introduces board games of all kinds on a special day each month. 

The board game day was the idea of Junior Staff Member Freddybil J. (LCS '18). Games like chess, checkers, dominoes, and foosball are bringing students together and allowing a different, competitive, and strategic outlet to their afternoon. Students play ping pong, cards, Uno, and some traditional Haitian games. 

Students play chess, cards, and dominoes during "No Ball Day."

LCS Economics Department Head and Head of Extracurricular Activities Djim G. (LCS '14) is enthusiastic about the new opportunities for students:

This activity is a great opportunity for the kids to learn new games and to know that games that require less physical contact can also be fun. We also hope that these games will improve the students’ cognitive senses.

And there is more than just board game fun to be had. 

Students also have the opportunity to represent their class in a much-loved, time-honored general knowledge trivia competition (also known as "Génie"), putting their education to good—and fun—use.

As Djim noted:

The trivia tournament is a long tradition at LCS now. I took part in this competition as a student. So I am very glad to be in a position to help maintain it. This activity helps enrich the students’ knowledge in several areas like math and science, history, art and culture, etc., as well as developing their interest for research.

It's great to see our Louverturians honing their skills, trying new things, and getting to know students of other ages and interests in new ways. The strategy, teamwork, and integrity they build now will certainly help them as they become leaders at LCS and eventually their country.

LCS students compete in the long-standing and popular "Génie" general knowledge trivia competition.

“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.

 

Maintaining the Heart of Our Community

Meet the LCS Maintenance Team: from left, Ganiel L. (Head of Facilities), Odson Jean F. (FHP Construction Engineer), Junior R. (Plumbing), Emanus S. (Asst. Maintenance Shop Manager), Ketty D. (Maintenance Shop Manager), Alex A. (Asst. Head of Facilities), and Dupency L. (Groundskeeping).

On any given school day, over 500 people circulate through the Louverture Cleary School campus. The fact that LCS is a boarding school also means that 80 percent of them stay overnight.

Additions, improvements, and repairs abound, especially in a school filled with teenagers. Walls must be painted and corrugated steel roofs replaced; PVC valves get worn out and electrical devices fail; new desks must be milled and bed frames welded; solar panels need to be cleaned and battery electrolyte levels checked.

Though the campus is self-sustaining in terms of energy and water production, it is far from self-maintaining.

Enter the LCS Maintenance Team. In a community full of heroes all working to educate and form good citizens ready to rebuild Haiti, this team stands out in their role as campus caretakers.

Over the course of 35 years at LCS, the maintenance department has grown to allow repairs and work to be done “in-house.” Only two decades ago, the maintenance facility at the school was just a small concrete block shed with no electricity. Today, the LCS Maintenance Team has a proper depot and office, with a computer to aid in research and to communicate reports and needs.

Soon, a solar-powered workshop will be ready to use at the headquarters of Fondation Haitian Project, THP’s partner foundation in Haiti, which is located a few miles from the school. This remote shop will allow the maintenance craftsmen to produce furniture, make repairs, and stock material away from the everyday bustle of campus life.

The LCS campus is the heart of our community. A clean, well-maintained campus allows for a well-maintained community ready to rebuild Haiti. 

The whole of THP extends a gwo mesi (huge thanks) to the knowledgeable and dedicated LCS Maintenance Team for keeping the heart of the campus community in great health!

PREPARING FOR THE LCS NETWORK

In addition to their current responsibilities, the LCS Maintenance Team is forming a model to be deployed at each school in the LCS Network. The know-how, systems, and community spirit that have been developed at the flagship LCS will prove to be the core of LCS Maintenance Teams throughout the LCS Network—something we all look forward to seeing put into practice!

“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.

 

Happy Haitian Independence Day!

On today, Haitian Independence Day, we would like to thank our community for your outstanding support.

We at The Haitian Project wanted to say thank you. For your support. For your prayers. For standing with Haiti. For being a part of something amazing even through one of the most difficult years in Haiti's recent history. 

The beginning of a new year is always a great time to reflect on everything you make possible for our students and alumni. Your belief in The Haitian Project's mission enables Louverture Cleary School graduates to use their education to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. 

Here are just a few of the many highlights you supported in 2022:

Thank you for believing in them. And in our work together.

Best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy new year!

And we can't forget about soup joumou!

Today, Haitians everywhere are celebrating with traditional pumpkin soup, or soup joumou, a classic dish served on New Year's Day.

In honor of this unique and important Haitian soup, last year on New Year's Day we shared a few soup joumou recipes from our community. You can download the recipes here, and we hope you enjoy soup joumou as it is intended: a celebration of 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.

 

We Did It! Now Let’s Make 2022 a Roaring Success!

Thanks to our incredible community members, we surpassed the end-of-year $10,000 match challenge! Including the matching funds from our two sponsoring families, we raised almost $24,000 in 2 days for our Louverturians.

Thank you to our sponsors and to everyone who contributed!

If you haven’t had the chance to give yet, there’s still time! Here at THP, we’re doing our own New Year’s countdown… to raise as much as possible to support Haiti’s brighter future before midnight on December 31st! 

If you have already made a gift, thank you for your 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.

 

Thoughts on the Season from the LCS Community

As we celebrate Christmas, we wanted to share some thoughts on the season from some of our community at Louverture Cleary School.

Daëlle E., LCS Director of Outreach:

Christmas is the perfect time of year to celebrate joy and coming together. The best part I love about this holiday season is to receive gifts and have quality time with the people we love. I really enjoy the Christmas program that we have at LCS, Minuit Chrétien. I am thankful for my family, colleagues and our supporters.

Keslin A., LCS Dean of Students:

Christmas means a lot to me. First, it’s a season that truly connects us to our loving ones, a season of sharing. It’s also a season of introspection that reminds us to continuously love others 360/year, 7/7, 24/24. Wishing you the happiest Christmas and happy New Year of 2023! 

Djim G., LCS Economics Department Head:

A special thought for all those who, because of the insecurity, are going through their biggest challenges in the country. May the spirit of Christmas bring them relief, and especially hope for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for your support of, and prayers for, our community in Haiti. The students, staff and administration of The Haitian Project and Louverture Cleary School wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed Christmas. 

“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 LCS Community Outreach Program: Supporting Beyond the School

Junior Staff and Medical Student Jean Michel P. (LCS '17) and LCS Nurse Bettyne M. (LCS '14) demonstrate proper water treatment during a seminar for families served by the LCS Community Outreach Program in response to the outbreak of cholera in the country. 

The positive impact of the Louverture Cleary School community goes far beyond the Louverturians within the school and has a profound effect on the surrounding community as well. Much of the legacy of family missionary Christina Moynihan’s 20-plus years in Haiti is the Community Outreach Program, born in response to the needs of the neighborhood surrounding LCS.

Today, the Community Outreach Program is capably led by LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Outreach Carolande L. (LCS '16), who oversee various important initiatives. Among these programs are the Koukouy Sen Klè Early Childhood Development Center, which has been giving parents a safe place to send their children for education, meals, showers, and structured play time during the day since 2010 (read about its beginning here), and the Lekòl Ankourajman after-school tutoring program, which welcomes neighborhood children and young adults to receive academic assistance—including literacy classes—from LCS students.  

And, during challenging times, the Community Outreach Program team provides other essential support to the community as well.

Most recently, in response to cholera and severe inflation, the team worked with the school’s administration to allocate resources to support neighborhood families, facilitating the distribution of food and cholera kits with items like soap, bleach, and water treatment products, while also providing education about how to prevent cholera and respond in case of illness.

LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. (standing center) and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Outreach Carolande L. (LCS '16) with Junior Staff and Medical Student Jean Michel P. (LCS '17, left) facilitate a community support program to respond to the ongoing instability and outbreak of cholera in Haiti.

“Haiti is now in a fragile and sensitive phase, and the most vulnerable are those who are weakest,” commented Daëlle. “It is important that we invest a lot in the area around LCS, which means providing tutoring and resources to the population in the zone (neighborhood). We want to apply our motto, ‘what we receive for free, we must give for free [Matthew 10:8],’ in every way possible. And we always want to contribute to the change we want to see in Haiti.”  

Drawing from The Haitian Project’s Charism (spiritual identity), service is at the core of Louverture Cleary School formation. The Community Outreach Program is just one more way the LCS community lives its commitment to put others first in pursuit of a brighter future for their country.

A mission is only as strong as the community that sends it. If you haven’t already, please remember to make your annual or year-end donation. For information on how to give gifts of stock, IRA distributions, or other ways to give, don’t hesitate to contact us. 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.

 

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.