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Haitian Education & Literacy Program (HELP)

Less than half the children in Haiti go to school because students must pay for tuition and supplies to attend both government and private schools.

Education is a privilege, not a right in Haiti.

Promise for Haiti believes that education provides hope for a better future! Through the vision of Dr. Guy Theodore and Joanne Schafer, Promise For Haiti partnered with Comite Bienfaisance de Pignon to build and operate nine Christian primary schools, Pre-K through High School in the area surrounding Pignon, Haiti. Schools have been built in rural and remote areas outside of Pignon in villages where students otherwise have a very long walk to attend school.

Each school has at least seven classrooms and a teacher/principal room where supplies (including Christian curriculum) can be stored, a cookhouse to prepare meals, a well or cistern for drinking water and a latrine. In any given year, there are between 1,500 to 2,000 students enrolled in these primary schools. No student is turned away for an inability to pay for school. Scholarships are provided to students who cannot afford tuition through the Haitian Education and Literacy Program. To find out more about sponsoring a student see below.

Each of the nine primary schools supported by the Comite Bienfaisance/Promise for Haiti are provided meals for all the students. The meal, consisting of rice and beans or pasta, may be the only meal the students have that day. When students have proper nourishment, their concentration improves, retention of information increases and they tend to be in school more consistently. The cost to feed all of our students and staff for a month is only $7,250 (that’s around 20¢ a meal!).  Sponsor school meals today!

The goal of the Haitian Education & Literacy Program is to connect students and sponsors to empower the future generation of Haiti through education.

FAQs

How does the program work?

The H.E.L.P. staff match a child with an American or Canadian sponsor and provide the sponsor with an annual progress report, information about the student as available and an updated photo every couple of years.

What does my sponsorship provide?

Your annual scholarship provides tuition for your student including Christian curriculum and school supplies, along with paying a portion of the salary of a Haitian teacher for their class. They also receive lunch daily and an annual dental checkup during their years at primary school.

The official primary school cycle requires children to spend six years in school before becoming eligible for the state exam granting them a certificate of primary education (CEP).

How do I know my student is attending school?

Stateside HELP staff members maintain accountability and follow up for all students in the program through yearly visits to Pignon and collaboration with the school superintendent in Pignon. Sponsors receive a report card, updated photos of their sponsored child and other information as it becomes available.

How do I sponsor a student?

Sponsorship of $360 per year can be initiated at the link below. Monthly and annual recurring online donations are available. Tuition notices for the following school year are sent in April. A new student is assigned if yours graduates or moves away.