Seven years at Louverture Cleary School (LCS) is a life-changing experience. New students navigate a rigorous life of community living, academics, work, and community service. By Philo (US 12th grade +1) year, students can scarcely imagine their life any other way, but they recognize that adjusting and adapting to their first year at LCS during their Sizyem (US 7th grade) year was a challenge.
Thanks to the LCS community's commitment to living by Matthew 10:8, “What we receive for free, we must give for free,” they were not in it alone.
The LCS Student Mentor Program
Each year, Philo students partner with a Sizyem “little brother” or “little sister” with whom they will build a relationship of support through the LCS Student Mentor Program. The program helps students best support one another and live in community, and it has remained important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philo student Markencia B. (at right) sits with her two "little sisters" in the LCS Student Mentor Program prior to the pandemic. Markencia recalls, “When I was a Sizyem student, this program helped me a lot. Supporting the youngest students is an act of love.”
This year, LCS Junior Staff Member Chrislie R. (LCS ’14), herself an alumna of the program, facilitated group activities and discussions with the Philo and Sizyem students and ensured that they worked together during evening study hours.
Chrislie reflects: “The LCS Student Mentor Program is very important. Sizyem students who are in a new place have a senior friend who can share their knowledge about the school, help them integrate, improve their self-confidence, and help them succeed. This program can have a big impact on both the Philo and the Sizyem students. Our Louverturians will all have to leave the school and go and change things outside [in Haiti], so this is a chance for them to start making an impact, helping others, and working for the best of their country.”
This year, the Philo and Sizyem pairs were joined by a Second (US 11th grade) “brother” or “sister” to provide extra leadership for the Sizyem class and help the Second students grow as leaders with the guidance of their Philo partners.
Now, while schools are closed in Haiti as a result of COVID-19, Philo students are checking in with their little "brothers" and "sisters." This is especially important given the additional emotions and worries that students are facing. Philo students are not only able to help provide emotional comfort, they are also able to help their mentees further their studies from home however possible.
The Louverture Cleary School community is in this together.
A Note from The Haitian Project
We understand that these are challenging times and that many people are confronted with significant hardships.
But this is precisely why we still have to ask and pray that those who can give, will. Our teachers and staff in Haiti rely on our support; and we are going to be there for our 360 students when schools re-open again. Please give today if you can.