While summer at Louverture Cleary School means a break from normal school operations such as classes, the mission of LCS to form Haiti’s future leaders never truly rests.
This summer, while most LCS students were at home for vacation, the school’s Outreach Department held Kan D’ete (summer camp) for children enrolled in the Koukouy Early Childhood Development Program during the school year and other children from the area who may not usually benefit from LCS's community outreach programs. Amid the continued unrest and violence in the Port-au-Prince area, LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. and the staff of the Koukouy program led the day camp, a welcome resource to parents who could be sure their children were in a safe and formative environment, and an educational and fun way for the children to spend their days.
Nearly 100 children participated in art classes, sports, and theater, learned bible stories, and received a hot meal. Additionally, 10 LCS students and 10 young adults from the neighborhood were engaged as leaders and instructors, both assisting the staff members and modeling Louverturian values to the children who hope one day to also attend LCS.
Kan D’ete has been a staple of the LCS Outreach Program for years, originally instated by former Outreach Director and family missionary Christina Moynihan. On its inception and purpose, Christina reflects:
Because our Koukouy and many other children in the neighborhood did not have much to do during the summer months—besides chores and mischief—we decided to invite them on to our campus for some organized play. The first year, we welcomed over 60 children and found we needed help with the order and discipline, so we asked some LCS students to help. Ultimately, the program developed into 100 children—10 groups of 10 children, each headed by one Louverturian and one "Capitan" (a teenager from the neighborhood). There are five themed activities in different parts of the campus, so the children spend about 40 minutes reading in the library, singing, dancing, acting out Bible stories, playing on the jungle gym, and playing soccer. Kan D’ete has become a uniquely wonderful time to teach children about God's love for them and empower them with social skills, while allowing the Louverturians ample opportunity to serve and set good examples for these little ones.
Just like the Koukouy Program itself, Kan D’ete is much more than fun and education for local children—it is a solution to societal issues and a catalyst for change.
Children, especially teenagers, who are engaged in camp are not in the streets and therefore away from the gang violence and the dangerous, prevalent eye of those looking to recruit young men into the gangs. Families can stay together as LCS provides a place for the children during the day while parents work, and the discipline, structure, and formation instills Louverturian values of stewardship, work, and community in even the youngest of participants.
Daëlle and her staff demonstrate a true dedication to the community which allows them to see and fill needs, positively affect lives, and carry out our mission on a daily basis, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
