In Haiti, Education Key to Better Life and Future
From March 29 to April 9, Donald Tatlock and Melina Pavlides, CWS Emergency Response (ERP) staff, together with Martin Coria, Associate Director of the CWS Social and Economic Development Program (SED) traversed the Northwest region of Haiti with CWS partners Service Chretien d'Haiti (SCH) and Christian Center for Integrated Development (SKDE) visiting local community groups which CWS supports.
The September flood triggered by Tropical Storm Jeanne that left some 3,000 dead in Gonaives (Haiti's 4th largest city), disrupted lives in countless and profound ways. But the disaster's effect on schools may have been one of the most devastating impacts for Haitians who value education of young people as the way to a better life and future for their country. In Gonaives, the flood damaged more than 30 secondary schools (high schools) and several universities. At the same time it added to financial burdens of families struggling to meet their basic day-to-day needs as well as paying for the education of their children.
Through its partners SKDE and SCH, CWS has channeled emergency assistance to some 5,000 flood-affected families living in and around Gonaives. The assistance included food and non-food items, as well as micro-credit inputs that help families pay for school for their children and other necessities.
Secondary school in Haiti costs roughly $50 - $70 Haitian ($6.50 - $9.00 U.S.) per month for one child -- a major challenge in a country where 65 percent of the population earns less than $100Haitian ($12 U.S.) per month. In many cases, several members of a household pool their money to send one child to school, often having to choose who to send and who will have to stay at home to help the family in other ways.
After the flood, twenty year-old Pradhally Nicolas, who grew up in Gonaives, was forced to leave home to finish his studies in the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, 90-miles away. Although Pradhally misses his family and friends back home, he also realizes how fortunate he is to be in one of the best schools in Port-au-Prince. "Many of my friends had to wait several months to go back to school because of the storm and some had to repeat their courses," he said. "Some schools in Gonaives are still damaged."
For people in rural communities getting an education is particularly challenging. Rural Haitian youth often travel many miles by bus or even foot to get to school everyday.
For many living in the Northwest and Artibonite Departments, the nearest city is Gonaives. Children going to secondary school or college in Gonaives, live with relatives, family friends, or in school-run housing. Due to extensive flood damage and the economic impact of the storm on thousands of families, many students from rural communities had to return home. "We have to buy supplies and uniforms, as well as pay the school fees, transportation, and lodging," said a parent of a student in the Hope for Bayouhon co-op, which CWS staff visited. "The flood and drought is making it almost impossible for many families to afford school."
CWS is assisting local communities in building capacity to provide educational opportunities for children and adults in the Northwest and Artibonite regions. Persons who receive literacy training from CWS partners, staff primary schools and teach adults in classes usually held in local churches.
"For schools to thrive in these remote, rural areas there have to be enough teachers, books, and school supplies to sustain them," said an elder of the village in Bombardopolis. There also have to be incentives to get people to stay here and not go to the city. "There is not enough work or opportunity here, nor do we have modern amenities like electricity, running water, good roads or transportation. A lot will have to change."
CWS initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean Islands will help alleviate economic hardships and improve food security for some 5,000 families in Haiti's Northwest and Artibonite Departments through 2008. CWS receives major support from Foods Resource Bank for this program.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]