PARTNER

Fondation St. Luc – Haiti

ABF ACTIONS

Previous academic years: a. y. 2020-2021, a. y. 2019-2020, a. y. 2018-2019, a. y. 2017-2018, a. y. 2016-2017, a. y. 2015-2016

THE PROJECT

In a context such as Haiti, the role played by school becomes fundamental: safe places where children can “take refuge” from the dangers of rampant crime and benefit from an education which offers potential emancipation for them and the community itself.

Educating children and their families to the concept of school as a chance for emancipation for themselves and the community means engendering awareness that change must go through and for them. Education and respect for its value, reaffirms the dignity of individuals, making them capable to positively impact the choices for their future. Education also means the culture of self respect, respect of one’s own body, in a more responsible approach to sexuality and to STDs. All schools of the ABF-Fondation St Luc system have the same status as state ones, and they are managed by duly authorised and qualified teachers and personnel. The curriculum is in line with that of public schools and is managed by a central committee, which is responsible for the implementation and monitoring its application in the schools of the various communities. A local committee at each school manages adaptation of the curriculum based on local characteristics and needs and on the level of the students concerned. The Central Committee is in constant dialogue with the local committees, communication which is not only conducive to addressing the specific needs related to education, but also the general conditions in which one operates. All teachers are included in a regular training programme that follows the national curriculum. The 5 schools of St. Augustin, St.Philomene, Notre Dame du Rosaire, St. Raphael and Manitane include equipped learning classrooms, direction offices, library, computer lab, kitchen, canteen, restrooms, playground. Some of the school facilities are equipped with electricity powered by a system of solar panels, solar-powered lamps, water towers that serve the Community as well, a system of water purification and distribution.

ABF schools host the ABF Mobile Clinic project, the 3.COM Project and meetings with educational committees and representatives of the Community.

THE CONTEXT

During 2019 the Country was affected by significant economic and social blocks due to previous political unrest. Demonstrations and constant inter-clan fighting and struggles between social classes resulted in a significant stoppage of everyday activities such as access to education for many students.

The ABF-FSL schools remained closed for weeks and this resulted in discontinuous access to lessons by the students.

St. Augustin – Abricots

Abricots is a village located 2 hours by car from Jeremie. Agriculture and fishing are the main sources of livelihood for the families living there. These activities are carried out randomly and thus do not guarantee the appropriate sustenance. The St. Augustin School can enrol up to 950 students coming from nearby villages. On average, each student walks 3 km every morning to get to school. The current school facility was built by the Foundation and was inaugurated in June 2015. Hurricane Matthew of October 2016 severely damaged the building, which was completely restored in December 2017 after one year of works.

Notre Dame du Rosaire – Croix-des-Bouquets

The Notre Dame school is located in the Croix-des-Bouquets district, the artists’ quarter of the city of Port-au-Prince. In this district, many families work in the production of items called “Fer Forgé” made from recycled diesel drums. The school facility where the activity is carried out was built by the Foundation and inaugurated in April 2015. At present, the premises can cater for up to 400 students.

St. Philomene – Kenscoff

The St. Philomene school is located in Kenscoff, a mountain area approximately a 2 hour drive from Port-au-Prince. Here too, the meagre economic activities such as agriculture above all, are carried out at household level and for mere sustenance. The school facility was built by the Foundation and inaugurated in April 2015. It can cater for up to 400 students. Like the other ABF-Fondation St. Luc schools, the facility offers a computer lab, library, canteen, kitchen, administrative offices and outdoor spaces for games and recreation.

Manitane – Dame Marie

The school is located in the city of Dame Marie, Grand’Anse Department. Dame Marie is a very remote area, just like all the other areas of the province, where people’s livelihood depends on farming, fishing and animal husbandry. The school where the activities are carried out was founded in 2014. To date, the Foundation is completing, with the EDU Project, a new facility for up to 400 students.

St. Raphael – Devarenne

The school is located in the area of Jacmel, in the southern part of Haiti. During the Foundation’s first visit in June 2015, the distance from Port-au-Prince was measured as 3 hours by car and 2 1/2 hours of walking in a mountainous area. Devarenne is also an isolated region, just like all the other areas of the province, where farming and animal husbandry are the mainly activities. The school facility where activities are carried out was founded in 2014. The Foundation has inaugurated the new building designed for up to 400 students.