Haiti Immersion... Day 2 - Haitian Education and Leadership Program

Friday afternoon we visited the program HELP. Haitian Education Leadership Program began in 1997 and is centered in Port-au-Prince next to the university. As we walked in their compound the brightest smiles met us immediately.

HELP scours the country for students graduating high school that have the highest grades possible. These students are not ones that would ever have the opportunity to attend higher education. Their families would never be able to support them in this endeavor.

In Haiti children can only go to school in they can afford the uniforms and supplies.  Responsibilities at home and menstrual hygiene often contribute to girls dropping out. From already bleak odds only 1% of high school graduates attend university. Of that group only 50% finish their secondary school. From that small group only 16% stay and work in Haiti. There is an overwhelming brain drain. HELP is working to make education accessible to young people that are interested in learning, developing leadership and staying to work and improve Haiti.

The program goes to 1300 schools around Haiti. 379 youth applied for the last school year. However, HELP was able to only accept 26 students into their program. They were limited only by the financial support they received from partners.

Once students are admitted there is a myriad of ways they receive support. Dorms to live in, advisors for school and social integration, courses in English, IT and leadership, computer lab, library, internships and a stipend for school and personal use.

This is the only organization of this type in the country. They celebrate an near 100% job placement rate. The first paycheck immediately puts the young adults in the middle class. The average income for Haitians is $800 annually. HELP graduates start earning an average of $15,600 annually. Life changing!

This income improves the life of the entire family. The family of origin is supported and often younger siblings are sent to university as well. Beyond supporting their family, every HELP student commits to donating 15% of their income for 9 years to continue the program. So far HELP graduates have raised approximately $20,000 to reinvest in the future of Haiti.

The most impactful piece of our visit were conversations with the students themselves. Civil Jean studies agro-economics. He dreams of helping Haiti address environmental issues. The future is bright for him. He will eventually continue into graduate school and make a difference for his country.

All of the students profusely expressed appreciation for the support. However, my heart bursts with appreciation for them. They are the future of Haiti. They will be the ones making a long term difference in the development, health and growth of Haiti. We should be thanking them.

For more information about Haitian Education and Leadership Program... www.uhelp.net

For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org