Teaching Trades: APF Professional Center

Dear Friends of  APF:

Warm greetings from the mountains of rural Haiti. As I am sure you are aware, gang activity and political insecurity continue in Haiti. But in some areas outside the capital, the gangs are not active, and important work continues. The Peasant Association of Fondwa firmly believes in teaching trades to young people so that they might have the skills to support themselves, their families, and contribute to the wealth of their rural community. With skills, they are less likely to leave their community and less likely to join a gang.

Ten students, ages 18-40, are about to graduate after completing training in tailoring or catering/cooking. Recruitment continues for more local students, and your generous contributions assist APF to cover expenses for materials, tuition, teacher stipends, and graduation ceremonies.

The Professional Center is small, but mighty! With your continued support, we can grow and serve more and more motivated students.

With geatitude,

Celine, APF Professional Center Director

Greetings Friends of Asosyasyon Peyizan Fondwa (APF):

We want to thank you again for supporting our project in rural Haiti "Teaching Trades: APF Professional Center" this past quarter. As you know, these are challenging times in Haiti, especially in the capital. Thankfully, the gangs have not expanded their activity to the mountains of Fondwa (and many other rural areas), so life and work continues. 

Currently, the Professional Center has 25 students, 10 in their second year of sewing and tailoring, and 7 in their first year. Both men and women are in this training. Eight young people are enrolled in the 9 month cooking program, and also represent both men and women.  The professional school is a great way for rural youth to gain skills ... skills that will provide them with income-producing capability for their future. Providing these young people with skills is so important In a country where many lose hope, flee to the city, fall into deeper poverty, and sometimes join gangs.

Let's keep them in the rural sectors where the future of Haiti will be!

We know this project may seem insignificant, but believe me, it is everything to the young people involved. As they say in Haiti, "little by little, the bird builds it's nest." We depend on your continued support to assist us teach and train these 25 students, and we hope to build on enrollment in the coming months. 

The professional school was unable to provide a graduation ceremony for recent graduates. Your additional donation could make that happen for these dedicated, rural youth. 

With our sincere gratitude,

Leigh Carter, Friend of APF on behalf of the APF Professional School.