Schools for Haiti

Dear supporters,

We hope this finds you well and that you are having a good summer! Here are the latest updates on PEN PAPER PEACE’s project Schools for Haiti:

1. Current situation in Haiti

Haiti’s capital has been increasingly racked by heavy fighting between gangs. More than 900 deaths, 650 injuries and 650 kidnappings have been registered in Haiti by the United Nations that directly correlate with gang warfare. About 20,000 people have fled their homes because of gang crime, according to the UN. Cité Soleil, the largest and poorest slum in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, has been the central location of the most violent gang warfare. Both our schools St. Emma and St. Nicolas are located in Cité Soleil. Most families have no access to food, water or medical care, fearing to be beaten or killed if they try to leave their homes. It is currently uncertain whether our schools can reopen in September to start the new academic year 2022/2023. We recognise that it is more important than ever before to create decent opportunities for young Haitians to earn a living and to invest in education as a sustainable path to reducing violence.

 2. Food insecurity in Haiti

Haiti is further plagued by severe food insecurity. Haiti is depended on imports for 70% of its food provisions. Major import routes are controlled by armed gangs which restrict the import of food. This is particularly distressing regarding the concurrent inflation at 26% in Haiti. Especially the prices of food are rising immensely in Haiti. Our partner organisation nph Haiti are now providing increased food aid in the most affected neighbourhoods.

 3. Medical support project

Despite the devastating situation in Haiti, we could successfully implement our medical support project. As part of the project, a team of doctors and medical assistants conducted regular health check-ups of our students and diagnosed as well as treated children’s illnesses. Furthermore, vaccinations against acute health risks such as yellow fever or typhoid were ensured. We further provided medical support to family members of our students who neither have the financial means for private medical examinations nor for the transport to health centres.

4. End of school year

We are proud to announce that despite the unrest in Haiti, 100% of the 6^th graders in St. Emma and 95% of the 6^th graders in St. Nicolas have graduated and received the recommendation and possibility to continue their studies at the secondary school Tabarrre of our partner organisation nph in Port-au-Prince.

5. Apprenticeship project

Together with our partners nph Haiti and St. Luke Foundation For Haiti we are currently designing a new apprenticeship scheme. This apprenticeship scheme would ensure young students who don’t have the opportunity for higher education a secure and sustainable path for a decent profession to make a living.

6. Writing competition in Haiti

Last year we successfully hosted a writing competition for young students (10 to 14 years) in all our project countries (Haiti, Honduras, Nambia, Germany and Italy). In the submissions we received from Haitian students, it is saddening to see how the violent unrest afflicts their everyday live as child and student. We are still in the process of translating the submissions and will publish a collection of letters this fall.

Things are always happening at PEN PAPER PEACE. If you would like to receive regular updates about our projects in Haiti, please sign up for our newsletter. You can simply fill in your name and email address at www.pen-paper-peace.org in the upper right corner. Also stay tuned on our Instagram (@penpaperpeace) or Facebook to get updated on what we’re currently working on.

The scale of violence and destruction in Haiti leaves us speechless. Nevertheless, we continue to support our students, families and the staff of St. Emma and St. Nicolas as much as we can.

Thank you for your support!

All our best,

The entire team of PEN PAPER PEACE