Stories of Hope and Joy
February 6, 2012
A recent experience touched us deeply and caused us to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to all those who make our work possible.
We were filming a piece that’s going to be on the Discovery Channel in March. It’s the story of Briggs and Stratton giving 240 generators to Haiti Partners after the earthquake and the difference these generators are making in schools and churches—in lives of Haitians who were dramatically affected by the earthquake.
Ms. Maecno, a mother of two children at one of our partner schools, shared how she thought their education would end with the collapse of the school. But, because of our partners, their school continued. And Genia Clergeau, then 12, shared how her family lost everything and her school collapsed. Although she and two of her siblings were obliged to move away to attend another Haiti Partners school, she said, “While it’s difficult being away from home, I’m thrilled to be going to school and getting a good education.”
We can’t underestimate what a source of hope and joy a good school is for children and their parents.
Thank you for your partnership in this work,
John, Kent and everyone at Haiti Partners
Posted in Haiti Partners, Partner Schools, STUDENTS Program | No Comments |
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Haiti Partners in Christian Science Monitor
January 28, 2012
Click here to read an article in Christian Science Monitor about Haiti Partners work in social business to improve quality of education in Haiti.
Posted in Annonciation Community School, Bèl Platon Community School, Cabois Community School, Cité Soleil Community School, Henri Christophe Community School, IMN Community School, Lalo Community School, Partner Schools, PARTNERS Program, Social Enterprise for Quality Education, Special Projects, STUDENTS Program, Vista Hermosa Foundation | No Comments | Email This Post
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Two Years After the Earthquake – Video Update
January 12, 2012
Today is the 2nd anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. It will be marked across the country by services of remembrance for the dead, but also the celebration of life. Meanwhile, the work of building a better future goes on. We’ve filmed a special update video to bring you up-to-date on the situation in Haiti, as well as the progress you’re making possible through Haiti Partners’ work in education. We’re grateful for your continued commitment and prayers, today and in the days ahead.
Posted in DISCIPLES Program, Haiti Partners, Henri Christophe Community School, LEADERS Program, PARTNERS Program, STUDENTS Program, TEACHERS Program | 2 Comments | Email This Post
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Community Open Space Meeting at Children’s Academy
December 5, 2011
Yesterday’s community open space meeting on future site of Children’s Academy convened more than 300 people. The meeting opened with Haiti Partners Youth Choir singing welcome song and closed with them too. Participants and planning committee were thrilled with the meeting. Notes were taken, will be typed up and will shape philosophy and program of Children’s Academy.
I (John Engle) had two older men, independent of the other, come and tell me, “I thank God that I’ve lived long enough to see this. I never imagined in my life that Bawosya would have a wonderful program develop like this.”
Haiti Partners is thrilled to be in partnership with Architecture For Humanity and their affiliate BAR Architects in design and construction of Children’s Academy. Click here to see the architectural plans and other documents and photos.
We’re also thrilled to be in partnership with Grameen Creative Lab toward creating a social business that generates revenue to help pay the school budget.
Click here to download vision for CHILDREN’S ACADEMY .
Photos from top to bottom: closing circle of open space mtg, small group break-out session, foundation/cistern for first building of Children’s Academy. Click here for more photos.
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Children’s Academy – Community Engagement
December 4, 2011
It’s exciting to see community involvement in construction of Children’s Academy. Below is video and photos of foundation being dug and also of folks clearing land in preparation for a large open space community meeting to discuss “The Role of Education in Development of a Community.”
Below that is a video of a community meeting in November. There are 55 community members (2 groups) participating in Circles of Change training, which helps develop communication and collaboration skills. They are also doing research toward developing a business that generates revenue for the school.
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Fabulous Haiti Video – Tragedy and Hope
December 4, 2011
The Kenbe La Foundation was founded by New Zealander Emily Sanson-Rejouis in honor of her husband Emmanuel (Haitian) and their two small children, Kofie-Jade (5) and Zenzie (3) who lost their lives in the 2010 earthquake. Click here to read this story of tragedy and hope that brings tears to my (John) and my wife Merline’s eyes nearly every time we think of it. Like countless others, we draw inspiration from Emily’s determination to “Kenbe la” (Never Give Up) and to help children in Haiti.
Please, I encourage you to watch this video. It fabulously communicates Haitian talent and also determination in the face of tragedy. My children Daniel (5) and Leila (3) request it be played regularly. They break into dance immediately when hearing it and sing along. Kofie-Jade, Zenzie and Emmanuel, we regret we never met you even though we feel like we know you. We feel your spirits here with us when our family dances together to Kenbe La.
Haiti Partners is honored to be in partnership with Kenbe La Foundation. Three containers filled with school furniture and supplies and a prefab building that will be used as a clinic beside Henri Christophe School are on their way to Haiti. Once they land, the UN (Emily and Emmanuel were UN staff) will deliver them to Darbonne for our partner schools. Emily and a team of construction professionals are planning to come to Haiti in April 2012 to work with community members to erect the building and transform the containers into usable space for a clinic and the school. Emily, Merline and I can’t wait to finally meet you in person.
Posted in Annonciation Community School, Bèl Platon Community School, Cabois Community School, Cité Soleil Community School, Haiti Partners, Henri Christophe Community School, IMN Community School, Partner Schools, PARTNERS Program, STUDENTS Program | No Comments | Email This Post
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Haiti Partners and WeTopia Spread Joy to Children in Haiti!
December 1, 2011
Haiti Partners is pleased to announce a new partnership with Sojo Studios, makers of the new Facebook game, WeTopia. WeTopia represents an innovative new approach to “social gaming”, where players spread joy in the real world while having fun in the game. As they build their virtual communities, players gather “Joy,” which can be applied to real world projects of their choice in Haiti and the U.S. Players can then track their contributions through pictures, videos and in-game messages. Haiti Partners is one of a number of partner organizations that will execute projects funded through the game.
Funding for real world projects comes through Sojo’s mandate to donate 50% of net profits (never less than 20% revenue) to its charity beneficiaries. Revenue is generated through advertisers and sponsors as well as players’ purchases of social goods in-game.
WeTopia is free to play. We encourage you to try it yourself and to spread the word with friends and family. Click here to play!
For more details, click here for the press release.
Posted in Haiti Partners, Partner Schools, STUDENTS Program | No Comments | Email This Post
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Daily Haiti Blog by Partner “Scotty Hendo”
November 20, 2011
Friend Scott Henderson, or “Scotty Hendo” is doing a daily blog during his time in Haiti with us right now. Below are first couple paragraphs of today’s with link. Thanks Scotty Hendo for partnering with us and for coming to Haiti with us!
#1 Thing to Learn from This Post:
The community school is the foundation for educating children, parents, and community members, giving the people of Haiti the bridge to a better life.
A More Detailed Exploration:
Waking up at 6:00am, our team hit the road shortly after 7:00am to make the drive to Leogane, the epicenter of the 2010 7.0 magnitude earthquake and where the Haiti Partners team first began its work here twenty years ago. On a typical weekday, this twenty-five mile journey from Bellevue can take anywhere from 2-1/2 to 4 hours depending on flooding, traffic, and other factors.
Thankfully, traveling on a Saturday meant considerable less traffic and we made it there in 1-1/2 hours. It also helped that most of the highway is a paved, divided four-lane road. Last year, it was still under construction and considerably more arduous. Having a functional system of roads and highways is vital. (Click here to continue)
Posted in Henri Christophe Community School, Partner Schools, PARTNERS Program, STUDENTS Program, Youth Choir | No Comments | Email This Post
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Partners in Music
October 20, 2011
Allan and Mary Pautz Klotche came to Haiti again as planned. In addition to spending time with Wozo choir, they did a music seminar for 22 school directors and teachers on how to use music to improve children’s learning and create more joy in the classroom. It was a great success. Allan and Mary rallied their friends and colleagues and created music kits that for each of Haiti Partners seven partner schools. Each kits include instruments, ipods equipped with music, speakers etc and have a value of nearly $400.
Posted in Annonciation Community School, Bèl Platon Community School, Cabois Community School, Cité Soleil Community School, Henri Christophe Community School, IMN Community School, Lalo Community School, Partner Schools, STUDENTS Program | 4 Comments | Email This Post
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GRAMEEN FOUNDER, Muhammad Yunus in Haiti
October 14, 2011
Nine of my close colleagues and I (John Engle) drew inspiration from Muhammad Yunus today. Hats off to Grameen Creative Lab for organizing this conference of thought leaders, entrepreneurs (all ages) and many like my colleagues and I who are committed to social business. It was wonderful to see the two young people awarded their prizes of all expenses paid to participate in Social Business Conference in Austria.
Later in the afternoon I joined with others working in close partnership with Grameen to discuss with Muhammad Yunus our various plans and projects for social businesses. His insights, questions and comments that come from decades of experience are golden.
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Supporting Haiti from from 8,000 miles away
October 11, 2011
I (Jonathan Chan) wanted to take some time today to highlight a partnership that’s been really meaningful for us and the mission of education in Haiti. This past April, our long-time friend and partner Tony Campolo visited New Zealand as a part of his incredibly busy speaking, traveling, and writing schedule. While there, he stopped by Mt. Hobson Middle School to talk to students and staff about Haiti.
Afterwards, the school leadership team had a chance to talk with Tony about the possibility of supporting our educational efforts in Haiti. After brainstorming some ideas, they decided on a creative plan to maximize the financial support they could send us. In partnership with a local garden nursery owned by one of the families at Mt. Hobson, the school is having monthly plant sales in the surrounding community, and donating the proceeds towards Haiti Partners. That money is helping us to provide teacher training, classroom supplies, professional development, and free daily meals to the 250 students and staff at Cite Soleil Community School. As we move forward working with our partner schools to start social businesses that will improve their financial sustainability, we’re excited to be receiving support from a school-business partnership 8,000 miles away!
Check out these pictures of the plant sales!
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Social Business Meeting
September 27, 2011
Here’s a super quick video (14 seconds) of community meeting yesterday with Philippe Lagrenade facilitating a brainstorming about possible social businesses that could help fund the Children’s Academy and which will also help meet a community need. Philippe is doing meetings like this with all communities where our partner schools are. Today he arrived in the remote community of Bel Platon on the island of La Gonave.
We’re fortunate to have Philippe and to be in partnership with Grameen Creative Lab. Click here to learn more about this partnership and Grameen Creative Lab.
Posted in Annonciation Community School, Bèl Platon Community School, Cabois Community School, Capacity Building 3 Training, Cité Soleil Community School, Haiti Partners, Henri Christophe Community School, IMN Community School, Lalo Community School, Partner Schools, Social Enterprise for Quality Education, Uncategorized, Vista Hermosa Foundation | No Comments | Email This Post
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Children’s Academy Ground Breaking
September 22, 2011
Local community members were joined by 11 members of major partner Calvary Church, a team from Architecture For Humanity, plus friends from; Haiti’s Ministry of Planning, Hertz, Haiti Allies, and from several Haiti Partners partner schools including CSCS.
It was a beautiful clear day and during the 30 minute ceremony we heard from special advisory to Children’s Academy Mèt Antenor (longtime friend and neighbor and a school principal for more than 20 years), a mother of a child that will attend Children’s Academy, a 14 year old young leader, and Joyce Johnson, Mission Director of Calvary Church. We also of-course heard from WOZO choir, which is made up of children in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The Children’s Academy and training center is a big vision. We invite you and your church or organization to partner with us in realizing it. Click here to download 2-page Children’s Academy description.
Click here to see architectural plans on Architecture For Humanity’s website. Haiti Partners couldn’t be more grateful to Architecture For Humanity and BAR Architects for doing the plan.
Click here to view gallery of photos from ground breaking ceremony.
Click here for more photos taken by friend and photographer Eric Graham.
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First Aid Training by Haitian-American Partners at WISEOP, Inc.
September 18, 2011
Many thanks to Dr. Guylaine Richard and Dr. Yanique Edmond for coming again to Henri Christophe Community school and providing training in first aid. With help from Abelard Xavier of Fondasyon Esperyansla, Drs. Richard and Edmond met with a group of 10 community members, including teachers from our partner schools. As you can see in the pictures below, they distributed first aid materials and provided hands-on instruction in how to apply first aid in the case of an emergency.
Haiti Partners believes strongly in the critical role that schools can play in a community’s development. In addition to helping our partner schools improve education for students, we are also committed to helping the schools serve their communities in other ways such as training for adults.
Drs. Richard and Edmond are with WISEOP, Inc., a US-based non-profit dedicated to serving communities in need. They are both Haitian-Americans and bring a special wealth of experience to working with our local partners. To learn more about WISEOP, Inc., follow this link: http://wiseop-inc.org/
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Jesse and Scott’s Next Haiti Trip
September 17, 2011
Haiti Partners’ special friends and partners, Jesse Engle and Scott Henderson, are inviting their special friends to come to Haiti with them. Below is their invitation. Haiti Partners is incredibly grateful to you, Jesse and Scott, for your partnership. Thank you for what you’ve already helped us accomplish in terms of impacting lives! We’re excited about what’s possible in our partnership with both of you and with your team as we work to help Haitians change Haiti through education.
A message from Jesse and Scott:
Haiti Trip – Social Business for Quality Education
We’re inviting a special group of friends and colleagues to join us on a trip to Haiti. You are someone we enjoy being around and think has an important perspective to contribute to our efforts. Our intent is to assemble a small, well-connected group of quality human beings to join us as we explore how we can help Haiti Partners and Grameen Creative Lab Haiti in their efforts to use social business to tackle the challenge of quality, accessible education.
Only 8% of Haiti’s schools are publicly-funded, leaving the rest to charge fees too expensive for many families. As a result, nearly 50% of school-age children aren’t enrolled in school, and those who are often receive a poor education from teachers who lack adequate training and materials. While the government is working to make free, quality education available to all children, it will be many years before this goal is realized. In the meantime, Haiti Partners (co-founded by John Engle) has teamed up with Grameen Creative Lab to pilot social businesses at seven Haitian schools that Haiti Partners supports. Click here to learn about their strategy financed by loans from SAP and Accenture, which will accomplish the following:
- Create additional revenue streams to help fund teachers’ salaries, staff development, supplies, and facilities, which will reduce their reliance on school fees and outside support.
- Develop a culture of entrepreneurism among administrators, teachers, students, and parents that will help create jobs and drive economic growth in their communities.
Our goal on this trip is to better understand this initiative with its challenges and opportunities, and explore ways that we can partner with Haiti Partners and GCL to support these efforts.
DATES
Arrive in Haiti: Thursday AM, November 17, 2011
Depart for US: Monday AM, November 21, 2011
ITINERARY WILL INCLUDE
- Visiting several partner schools; meeting with administrators, teachers, students and parents
- Spending time with staff of Grameen Creative Lab and meet with representatives of the Ministry of Education
- Meet with Richard Morse, special advisor to Haiti’s president, owner of the historic Oloffson Hotel and an important Haiti tweep.
- Going to performance of RAM (Richard A Morse band) at Oloffson Hotel
- Hiking in the beautiful mountains of Haiti
- Enjoying some wonderful Haitian cuisine, coffee, and rum
- Browsing Haitian art on streets, in boutiques and in a gallery
- Meet with Haitian business leader(s)
We will stay at home of John and Merline Engle (also known as the Bellevue Guesthouse), which is located in the mountains several miles south of Port au Prince. It’s a lovely setting tucked amongst the trees, with a beautiful view of the city. Some of us will sleep in the house and some of us will sleep in large tents equipped with beds and bedding. Click here for documents about what to expect in Haiti, Haiti Partners philosophy and approach to hosting visitors, information about immunizations, an introduction to Haitian-Creole, etc.
We’re excited about this trip and look forward to you being a part of it!
Jesse Engle and Scott Henderson, Haiti Partners friends and partners
Posted in Partner Schools, Social Enterprise for Quality Education, STUDENTS Program | No Comments | Email This Post
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