180 Scholarships for Vocational Training in Haiti

You may have heard about the current civil unrest in Haiti, which lead us to temporarily close our training center. Thankfully, a few dedicated, local training graduates are still able to safely travel to campus and keep our programs moving forward.  

I want to highlight the recent accomplishments of Youwens and Gregory, made possible by the training support you provide. They lead the effort on a months-long project, fabricating the metal roofs of our two large training buildings. They also built desks for the school next door. Aren’t they beautiful? In fact, they worked on over 50 projects in 2022 and they have become two of Haiti’s most competent welding fabricators. Did we mention that Youwens also just had a baby?

Training opens up so many possibilities for a better future in Haiti. Thanks for helping to make this possible!

Vanessa is proving to be indispensable to Extollo as a welding fabricator, welding trainer and most recently as an electrician.  After graduating from Electrical Level 1 at the top of her class, she was invited to join the Extollo's Practicum Program to gain apprenticeship experience installing an electrical system on Extollo’s campus.  An attention to detail, solid hands-on skills, a willingness to learn and leadership skills have led to her quick and steady advancement.  

This summer she gave an electrical lesson and demonstration to local secondary students during Career Day.  She is inspiring the next generation of students by showing them what is possible through hard work and a dedication to education.  She is also paving the way for young women wanting to enter Haiti’s construction industry.  Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Haitian women like Vanessa!

To learn more about Career Days and how Extollo is helping to prepare Haitians students for life after graduation through vocational opportunities, click here, https://www.extollosa.com/career-day

Links:

• Extollo's Career Day page

In our last report we highlighted Vanessa, a young woman new to the construction trades, who showed grit, determination, and great work ethic. Vanessa was one of our top graduates in the first Level 1 class she took.

Vanessa continued to take classes in other trades, and excelled in them as well. She proved herself to be one of the best welding students we've had!

So now Vanessa is the first female Lead Trainer in Welding we've ever had at Extollo, and she continues to impress Extollo staff, and inspire Extollo students and her own family.

Thank you for your continued support of students like Vanessa that, when given a chance, can build a career in the construction trades.

Vanessa (pictured) was one of our Welding Level 1 students. Through her courage and grit, she decided to attend Extollo’s welding class in order to learn a new skill. Throughout the class, Vanessa excelled in almost every activity and proved herself as one of the top students. Her positive attitude and attention to detail (along with a good work ethic), led Extollo leadership to give her a chance at being an Associate Instructor in welding.

Along with our Welding and Masonry Level 1 classes on our Bercy campus, we also held a Masonry class on our new Port-au-Prince campus - making our trainings accessible to many more students. We continue to subsidize almost all our students due to their significant financial need. We are on par with training 200 students in 2022 and we are go grateful for those who have joined us in supporting this work.

Thank you for your support of 180 Scholarships for Vocational Training in Haiti project with Extollo!

Even through the turmoil and unrest in Haiti we have been able to hold numerous Level 1 trainings - Masonry, and Welding, specifically.

We're particularly excited about our Welding Level 1 classes that are now able to benefit from our new, well-equipped Metal Fabrication Facility. Thanks to a very generous foundation, over the last few months we've been able to acquire metal working equipment that significantly expands our training opportunities with our Welding classes.

Also an exciting development, we have been able to expand our training to Port-au-Prince through a partnership with a local NGO/nonprofit. We held our first Masonry class, graduating 15 men and women. This new campus, expanding us to two (2) campuses now, will allow us to scale up our training program significantly.

Thanks again for your support of giving men and women the skills they need to find a job, earn money (and the dignity that comes through work), and thus be able to take care of their families.