By Monique Garrity | Project Leader
School year 2016-2017 is unfolding at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Petite-Riviere de l’ Artibonite in Haiti against the backdrop of deteriorating economic situation of most students’ families as well as a high rate of insecurity. Presently, about 200 children are in the three sections of Pre-School taught by three full time teachers assisted by three teachers’ aides.
This is far from ideal but the project continues to significantly enhance the quality of education provided to the children. Most important is the financing of two yearly-targeted training sessions for teachers and provision to students of all educational materials such as books, games, arts etc.
Sister Christiane, the school director laments the high student teacher ratio due to the school’s commitment to accept many students whose parents are unable to pay and the need to counterbalance with students from better off families.
Sister writes: “ it is amazing the difference between the children presently attending Pre-School and those who did so prior to the Project. The children are now more motivated and joyful whether doing art projects or learning and writing letters of the alphabet. “
Here is the story of an extremely intelligent and confident kindergarten student: Rosederline. She is a 6-year-old girl whose father recently died . She has become, through initially her own initiative, an effective helper of her class teacher, a first in the history of the Pre-School. When the bell rings, she assists the teacher in directing students to class and their respective places. She then goes to the front of the class and leads the national anthem. She models the new kindergarten student compared to the much more passive students prior to the changes brought about by the project.
We are most grateful to all the generous donors who support this project that provides a solid foundation for lifelong learning of the children, most of whom live under extreme poverty.
Please stay with us and help us reach our goal of providing each K and pre-K child a challenging and inspiring learning experience. If you can please sign up for a recurring monthly gift.
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