“Ours is a generational commitment and vision. We are proceeding as if this mission will outlast us all and ultimately be fully supported and run by Haitians—because that’s exactly the plan.”
Most Appreciated Community Members,
On behalf of the team in the U.S. and our colleagues in Haiti, I want to express how grateful we are for your continued concern and awareness of the immense challenges in Haiti.
I want you to know that, with your support, The Haitian Project has been able to continue all operations at our flagship Louverture Cleary School outside Port-au-Prince AND advance the work being done to develop additional schools. (In fact, funding is the single largest impediment to expansion.)
There is no question that the situation is extremely difficult and complex. Our faculty, staff and students, their families and loved ones, are all under significant stress from the constant risks posed by pervasive gang violence, economic pressures, and political instability. Under these conditions, the tremendous talent, experience and dedication of our team, especially the remarkable leadership of our colleagues in Haiti, have been invaluable.
Things are not easy in Haiti, yet this is precisely the time to invest more, not less, in our mission. It is always possible that we may have to temporarily pause operations depending on the reality on the ground. However, a pause of weeks, or even months, while incredibly difficult for our community in Haiti, is not a threat to our mission overall.
The Haitian Project has navigated extremely challenging circumstances for nearly four decades—from failures of government to natural disasters—and has never stopped growing or serving the people of Haiti. Our current plan to develop the Louverture Cleary Schools Network spans another 20 years.
Ours is a generational commitment and vision. We are proceeding as if this mission will outlast us all and will ultimately be fully supported and run by Haitians—because that’s exactly the plan.
Careful management and planning by the administration and the board prioritizes delivering our core programs and supporting our community at times of crisis in every appropriate way, knowing that our mission will emerge through this current moment in Haiti’s history.
This means making prudent decisions that ensure our ability to develop future schools. And, since future campuses will be located outside of Port-au-Prince where the worst of the instability is concentrated, each new school provides additional resilience to the mission overall.
Finally, it is critical to stress that our work has only become more important. Our community in Haiti needs the immediate stability, support and hope we are providing during this period of difficulty. And Haiti needs the servant-leaders (and more Louverture Cleary Schools!) who are ready to build a just and prosperous future out of the current situation.
That’s what the entire THP Community is working for. And that’s why it is imperative we all seize this moment as the opportunity to step up, not back.
If you ever have any questions, I encourage you to reach out. Simply reply to this email and I will be sure to respond.
Reese Grondin
President—The Haitian Project, Inc.
Thank you for your support of our work together for Haiti!
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