It has been over a year since we have been able to travel to Haiti because it is unsafe, and our government has issued a “Do Not Travel” warning. However, our on-the-ground program assistant, Pastor Edome, provides us with nearly daily updates. Since the assassination of the Haitian president in July 2021, there has been no law nor order in the country of 11.5 million people who have already suffered from disaster, poverty, and oppression. And, last month, the only remaining elected officials abandoned their positions, leaving the country at what one NPR reporter calls a “breaking point.”
The conditions are unimaginable to most of us. Gangs have taken over Haitian communities. Every day, Haitian citizens of all ages and socio-economic standings are kidnapped from their homes, streets, cars, and public transportation; shootings are random and frequent; stores and other businesses are looted and burned to the ground.
What does this mean for recipients in our scholarship program? When we “contract” with each student, we promise to stick with them as long as they perform well in school. We plan to uphold that promise.
Because of violence in Haiti, schools were closed for the first semester of the 2022-23 school year. However, most schools in Haiti reopened in January, and all our students are currently back in school. It has always been challenging for these youth to attend school, but under today’s realities it is even more so! It may not seem like a time to focus on scholarships and trying to attend school when there is so much chaos and fear, but for our Haitian families, it provides them hope for the future, purpose, and some sense of normalcy.
A recent note from one of our Haitian students tells more of their story and their focus on priorities than we can. Erlande is a Partner in Education Haiti scholarship recipient who graduated from high school three years ago. She worked hard to complete her coursework. She passed the rigorous national exam and earned a scholarship to one of the country’s few public universities. She is studying medicine with the dream of becoming a doctor. Unfortunately, she recently had to leave her home because gang members violently took control of her community’s homes and businesses. Her family fled as bullets flew through their home. She is close with her family, especially her father, but for Erlande to continue to attend school, her family arranged for her to live with a friend. Keeping at least one child in school is a priority for these families. I asked Erlande about her situation, the university, and how we could help her to continue succeeding in school. Here is her response:
“The university operates through the day. I have many courses. I could have learned better, but I have no materials. I have no books; I have no medical certificate; I have problems with money to pay for transportation, and now bandits have taken my home. The university has no dormitories so, for now, I am staying with a friend, but that is only a temporary solution. Psychologically, I am stressed because of the way the country is. They are kidnapping people. They are carrying out several kidnappings in front of the university. The Capital gangs are killing people and raping young girls. I’m very scared.”
Despite all the fear and stress, like other Haitians, Erlande’s priority is to stay in school. Because of a recent generous donation to PieH designated for university studies, we can assist Erlande so that she has the tools needed to continue school.
We look forward to providing future updates about Erlande’s journey and other Partner in Education Haiti recipients.