By Anne Hastings | Vice President | uFondwa USA Board of Directors
Dear Friends,
This summer, I had the privilege of visiting the University of Fondwa (UNIF) alongside two longtime supporters. Our three days in Fondwa were deeply moving. We were welcomed with warmth, hospitality, and a shared sense of purpose that continues to inspire me months later.
We met with students, faculty, and university leaders whose commitment to education and rural development is unwavering. I left with renewed hope for Haiti’s future and a profound respect for the community that makes UNIF such a beacon of possibility.
Since that visit in July, much has continued to unfold on campus—and I’m thrilled to share some of the most exciting updates from the start of this new academic year.
A Strong Start to a New Academic Year
On Monday, October 20th, the UNIF community gathered for the opening convocation of the 2025–2026 academic year—a day of celebration and purpose.
Rector Loudsonde Lafontant offered an inspiring message to the students:
“The country is yours to improve through innovations that only you, the sons and daughters of Haiti’s countryside, truly understand.”
This year, 250 students are enrolled at UNIF, and thanks to your generosity, every single one of them has their tuition fully covered by scholarships.
Across three faculties—Veterinary Medicine, Agronomy, and Business Management—45 professors are teaching 86 courses this semester. The presence of the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the convocation underscored the spirit of collaboration and academic leadership that continues to strengthen UNIF.
Reflections from My Summer Visit
During my visit, I was struck by the harmony and dedication of UNIF’s leadership team—strong, thoughtful individuals working together with humility and shared purpose. The faculty are equally inspiring: passionate educators shaping the next generation of rural leaders.
The students we met impressed me deeply. They were confident, entrepreneurial, and full of purpose. Their questions were sharp, their sense of mission clear. We noticed a growing number of students in the School of Veterinary Medicine, and their passion for serving their communities was unmistakable.
I was especially encouraged to see the beautifully constructed Veterinary Medicine building, a bright, open space that embodies the hope and determination of the UNIF community.
And beyond academics, UNIF’s campus is alive with growth. Two new dormitories are now under construction—projects that not only expand access to education but also create much-needed jobs in Fondwa, where many families displaced from Port-au-Prince have found refuge.
Building for Growth: New Dormitory Underway
As UNIF’s reputation grows, so does student enrollment. Currently, students either live with family, rent rooms in the community, or—if among the 50 women fortunate enough—stay in a temporary dormitory converted from an old coffee warehouse on campus.
Now, construction has officially begun on a new women’s dormitory that will house 150 students—a transformative project made possible by the extraordinary generosity of a single supporter who provided both the land and the funds for the first phase.
This milestone represents a major step forward in expanding access to higher education for women in rural Haiti. And it’s just the beginning—plans are already in place for a men’s dormitory to follow, creating space for another 150 students in the years ahead.
The Promise of UNIF
None of this would be possible without you. Your steadfast support makes education accessible to bright, motivated young people from Haiti’s rural communities—students preparing to return home as agronomists, veterinarians, and business leaders.
What I witnessed in Fondwa reminded me why I am so proud to serve as Vice President of the University of Fondwa USA Board. The promise of this university—its students, faculty, and leadership—is real and powerful.
Together, through your generosity, we are building something enduring: a stronger, more self-reliant Haiti, led by those who know it best—its own sons and daughters.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Anne Hastings
Vice President, Board of Directors | University of Fondwa USA
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