By Debra Muzikar | Development Director
C.I.T.E. (Community Institute for Teaching and Education) School in Cite Soleil, a slum in Port au Prince, was the location of Mercy & Sharing’s first primary school and nutrition program. In 2010 this project was threatened by gang violence and direct threats of harm if Mercy & Sharing did not pay the local gangs for protection. Rather than paying the gangs, Mercy & Sharing’s staff relocated the school outside the local gang area, in a nearby location in Cite Soleil. The school has been operating since without any threats. A few months ago, we visited C.I.T.E. and found only a handful of students and teachers. Unfortunately, a conflict had broken out in the streets. Violence still occurs at times making it impossible for many of students to attend, but those who can overcome the difficulties of a reality they live with show up. They know the importance of education in fulfilling their dream of a better life.
Mercy & Sharing believes the only sustainable solution for Haiti’s future is quality education that prepares students to be productive citizens. A proper educational environment is the foundation for creativity, problem solving and leadership skills. By providing education for children who would otherwise not be in school, Mercy & Sharing is creating hope and opportunity. Mercy & Sharing’s goal is to provide an environment of love and education that lends itself to developing happy, healthy, and productive members of Haitian society.
Mercy & Sharing is dedicated to creating a new reality in Haiti. A reality where children can go to school unafraid – to an environment conducive to learning – constructing a better tomorrow for themselves and their country. Today, Mercy and Sharing is educating over 1100 students in 3 primary schools and a Technical and Trade School for young adults. We also offer a hot meal every day for all students. Our John Branchizio School added a 12th grade this year. With adequate funding, we look to add additional grades and increase enrollment at all of our schools. Thank you – with your help we WILL make a new reality in Haiti.
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
