Textbooks for 851 primary school children in Haiti

The Vision for Haiti Book Program has had triumphs and setbacks in the last few months. In September, our students began a new schoolyear looking forward to growing, learning, and achieving. We encouraged our students to continue making the great strides they made in the previous year. By all accounts, our students began the school year performing very well.

We were hopeful.

Longtime Vision for Haiti supporter, Billy Prophete, launched the Miles 4 Smiles Fundraiser to run the Baltimore Marathon to raise funds for the book program. Billy’s decision to participate in the grueling 26.2 mile run underscores his ongoing commitment to support our students and their families in their pursuit of creating fulfilling lives and thriving communities. Through Billy’s efforts, $1500 was raised!! The marathon was scheduled for Saturday, October 15th.

We were inspired.

Then Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti on October 4th leaving destruction in its wake. Our families in Meyer were gravely affected by the storm’s devastation. Many lost their homes, crops, and livestock. Many of our book program textbooks were destroyed and our students have missed countless days of school. In an often neglected part of the country, Meyer has not received any assistance with rebuilding after the hurricane.

We are committed.

In response to this great need, Vision for Haiti is donating a portion of the proceeds  from the Miles 4 Smiles Fundraiser to aide in the Hurricane Matthew relief. Vision for Haiti is also planning a medical mission in December to address the dire need for medical attention and food to the stricken community in Meyer. Please support our Hurricane Matthew Relief Campaign  and donate to help the people of Meyer recover their lives.

Thank you for your continued support. With your help, we can continue to make a difference in so many lives.

Links:

• https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/vison-for-haiti-hurricane-
• https://www.globalgiving.org/fundraisers/20370/

In a country plagued by insufficient schools, underqualified and underpaid teachers, and also, where many simply cannot afford to educate their children; the access to education is out of reach for many children in Haiti, especially for those living in rural areas.

With your support, Vision for Haiti’s book program is committed to help alleviate the financial burden of education faced by many families in the rural town of Meyer, where many struggle to feed, clothe, and house their children.

Few families are able to afford to send their children to school. Of those families, many do not have the means to purchase the necessary textbooks needed for the school year in addition to paying for their child’s tuition. As a result, families send their children to school without textbooks in hopes that the child’s attendance in the classroom is enough to learn the lessons presented in class. It isn’t enough. Without textbooks, children are unable to keep up in the classroom and fall behind.

The Vision for Haiti book program’s first year was a tremendous success! All of our 620 students made amazing strides. Providing textbook so that the children can follow along in class, review what they’ve learned, and complete homework assignments has made a remarkable difference in their progress. Participants in the book program were the highest percentage of students that successfully completed their current grade and advanced to the next. Students that were once doing poorly before their participation in the book program are now excelling beyond our expectations; with many in top 10th percentile of their class.

We expect even better results as we are able to provide more textbooks for more students. With your support, Vision for Haiti can continue to support these students and their families in their pursuit to improve their lives and their communities.

Vision for Haiti would like to thank GlobalGiving and all the supporters who are making this hope come true. Please continue to give generously so we can meet our goal to give books to all the students of Meyer, Haiti.