Colby Bowker
Why Haiti, Why Now
Why Haiti, Why Now
Colby Bowker
“The Haitian Project: A Blueprint for Solving ...
“The Haitian Project: A Blueprint for Solving Big Problems” - Ever Widening Circles

We Did It! Now Let’s Make 2022 a Roaring Success!

Thanks to our incredible community members, we surpassed the end-of-year $10,000 match challenge! Including the matching funds from our two sponsoring families, we raised almost $24,000 in 2 days for our Louverturians.

Thank you to our sponsors and to everyone who contributed!

If you haven’t had the chance to give yet, there’s still time! Here at THP, we’re doing our own New Year’s countdown… to raise as much as possible to support Haiti’s brighter future before midnight on December 31st! 

If you have already made a gift, thank you for your support!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Thoughts on the Season from the LCS Community

As we celebrate Christmas, we wanted to share some thoughts on the season from some of our community at Louverture Cleary School.

Daëlle E., LCS Director of Outreach:

Christmas is the perfect time of year to celebrate joy and coming together. The best part I love about this holiday season is to receive gifts and have quality time with the people we love. I really enjoy the Christmas program that we have at LCS, Minuit Chrétien. I am thankful for my family, colleagues and our supporters.

Keslin A., LCS Dean of Students:

Christmas means a lot to me. First, it’s a season that truly connects us to our loving ones, a season of sharing. It’s also a season of introspection that reminds us to continuously love others 360/year, 7/7, 24/24. Wishing you the happiest Christmas and happy New Year of 2023! 

Djim G., LCS Economics Department Head:

A special thought for all those who, because of the insecurity, are going through their biggest challenges in the country. May the spirit of Christmas bring them relief, and especially hope for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for your support of, and prayers for, our community in Haiti. The students, staff and administration of The Haitian Project and Louverture Cleary School wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed Christmas. 

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

The LCS Community Outreach Program: Supporting Beyond the School

Junior Staff and Medical Student Jean Michel P. (LCS '17) and LCS Nurse Bettyne M. (LCS '14) demonstrate proper water treatment during a seminar for families served by the LCS Community Outreach Program in response to the outbreak of cholera in the country. 

The positive impact of the Louverture Cleary School community goes far beyond the Louverturians within the school and has a profound effect on the surrounding community as well. Much of the legacy of family missionary Christina Moynihan’s 20-plus years in Haiti is the Community Outreach Program, born in response to the needs of the neighborhood surrounding LCS.

Today, the Community Outreach Program is capably led by LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Outreach Carolande L. (LCS '16), who oversee various important initiatives. Among these programs are the Koukouy Sen Klè Early Childhood Development Center, which has been giving parents a safe place to send their children for education, meals, showers, and structured play time during the day since 2010 (read about its beginning here), and the Lekòl Ankourajman after-school tutoring program, which welcomes neighborhood children and young adults to receive academic assistance—including literacy classes—from LCS students.  

And, during challenging times, the Community Outreach Program team provides other essential support to the community as well.

Most recently, in response to cholera and severe inflation, the team worked with the school’s administration to allocate resources to support neighborhood families, facilitating the distribution of food and cholera kits with items like soap, bleach, and water treatment products, while also providing education about how to prevent cholera and respond in case of illness.

LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. (standing center) and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Outreach Carolande L. (LCS '16) with Junior Staff and Medical Student Jean Michel P. (LCS '17, left) facilitate a community support program to respond to the ongoing instability and outbreak of cholera in Haiti.

“Haiti is now in a fragile and sensitive phase, and the most vulnerable are those who are weakest,” commented Daëlle. “It is important that we invest a lot in the area around LCS, which means providing tutoring and resources to the population in the zone (neighborhood). We want to apply our motto, ‘what we receive for free, we must give for free [Matthew 10:8],’ in every way possible. And we always want to contribute to the change we want to see in Haiti.”  

Drawing from The Haitian Project’s Charism (spiritual identity), service is at the core of Louverture Cleary School formation. The Community Outreach Program is just one more way the LCS community lives its commitment to put others first in pursuit of a brighter future for their country.

A mission is only as strong as the community that sends it. If you haven’t already, please remember to make your annual or year-end donation. For information on how to give gifts of stock, IRA distributions, or other ways to give, don’t hesitate to contact us. We appreciate everyone's support! 

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Some Great Ways to Support THP's Mission this Holiday Season!

Looking for ways to support The Haitian Project during the holiday season? Not only do we have a reason this season... we also have some great ideas! 

One of our favorite ways to give is The Haitian Project's Gift of Education, a gift that will make a meaningful impact generation after generation.

Make a donation in any amount to The Haitian Project in honor of a friend or family member this holiday season, and The Haitian Project will send a Christmas card notifying the honoree of the gift! To give the Gift of Education, visit www.haitianproject.org/donate. 

For those in a position to make a gift of stock or another appreciated asset, or to give through your IRA, it is very easy to do! 

To make your gift, simply use this form to provide the necessary information to your broker and email us a copy so that we may properly credit your gift. You can also give through an IRA with a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution. Get in touch with us at [email protected] or by calling 401-351-3624 to make your gift or to learn more!

Make a brighter future for Haiti with a recurring donation or planned gift!

Visit HaitianProject.org where it is easy (and very helpful!) to set up a recurring donation (sign up once and you are good to go—you can modify your donation at any time!) 

You can also make a legacy contribution through Planned Giving—just email us at [email protected] for more info!

You can make the most of your online shopping during the holiday season.

Amazon will donate a portion of eligible purchases to a customer's designated charity—like The Haitian Project!—through its AmazonSmile program. Visit smile.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon credentials...then select The Haitian Project to support a real solution to poverty in Haiti!

A mission is only as strong as the community that sends it.
We appreciate everyone's support! 

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

LCS Celebrates First Mass of New School Year on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Father Maxo J. C. celebrates the first Mass of the new school year on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

The Louverture Cleary School community gathered for Mass today to celebrate the opening of school and observe the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This all-school celebration of the Eucharist marked the first LCS Mass for the new Sizyem (U.S. 7th Grade) students.

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Maxo J.C., a Catholic priest with the local Camillian community, who is also serving this year as a Religion teacher at LCS. LCS students participated as readers, altar servers, and members of the LCS Choir, which beautifully led the school in song.

After so much time apart during the delay of school opening, it was wonderful to see the school community come together in such a unifying and prayerful way. All-school Mass is always a joyful way to continue to live out The Haitian Project’s Charism (spiritual identity) as a community.

Having Fr. Maxo as part of the LCS community not only benefits the school with more frequent opportunities to attend Mass, but also provides opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation to Catholic members of our community.

Please join the school in prayer and ask for Our Lady's intercession on behalf of Haiti, our community, and for all of us to say our own fiat (yes) to God's call to us.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

The December Issue of Haitian Project News is Here!

LCS Director of Outreach Daëlle E. (standing center) and newly-appointed Assistant Director of Outreach Carolande L. with Junior Staff Medical Student Jean Michel P. (left) facilitate a community support program.

Read all about it...

An update on the situation in Haiti: By now, most people have heard about the difficulties in Haiti. Even in a world full of challenges, the already dire situation in Haiti has deteriorated enough in recent months to become a regular fixture in the U.S. media. Read more about how these challenges have affected Haiti and Louverture Cleary School in the December issue of Haitian Project News.

What else is featured in this issue?

  • LCS leadership is looking inward to identify the needs, potential for growth, and new opportunities that will not only support the current school, but also form the leaders of LCS 2—the second campus in what will become the 10-school LCS Network. And it is clear that the key to replicating the academically-rigorous, formative, and service-oriented environment that defines a Louverture Cleary School will be the people involved.

  • Though the LCS campus is self-sustaining in terms of energy and water production, it is far from self-maintaining. The LCS Maintenance Team is not only responsible for taking care of the school, they are tasked with laying the groundwork for the future schools in the LCS Network.

  • Many things can be said of long-time THP supporter Pat Newell: enthusiastic, positive, and lively are among them. Last month reaffirmed two more: loyal and dedicated. Pat has now officially been a supporter of the Project for twenty years!

  • Read about these topics and more of the latest THP happenings in the December issue of Haitian Project News!

Meet the knowledgeable and dedicated LCS Maintenance Team in the December issue of Haitian Project News.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

A Very Welcome Back, Louverturians!

Louverture Cleary students gather for morning assembly as LCS's 35th school year begins!

When Haiti’s Ministry of Education delayed the start of the 2022-2023 school year due to the security situation in the country, we made the most of the downtime. There was no shortage of work to do, and it turns out you can get a lot done when the campus is quiet!

But, of course, we were also constantly looking for an opportunity to safely return our students to school.

Now, we are overjoyed to share that students were able to return to campus late last month and that Louverture Cleary School is now back in full swing for the 2022-2023 school year!

This is an amazing feat amidst the current challenges in the country. We are especially grateful for our skilled and dedicated Haitian leadership and staff on the ground who worked hard to make it happen

As LCS Principal Marjorie M. (LCS '07) enthusiastically states, "We are all so happy about the reopening of the class [for the 2022-2023 school year]. It is also a victory for us to have the students and the community back in this difficult time in the country. They are living in a dangerous zone and are experiencing bad situations, so being at school is best and a safe environment for them. The students and their education are our priority because they represent the future of Haiti."

While waiting for school to reopen, management and facilities projects on campus included things like making repairs to the residence buildings, improving standard operating procedures, and continuing to develop the staffing plans for LCS 2. They also launched initiatives to provide food, clean water, and cholera prevention training and resources to the school’s neighborhood.

As productive as these projects were, though, nothing beats having Louverturians back on campus, ready to tackle the new year.

"After 2 months of acute instability, it is incredible to have finally seen LCS welcome back all students and staff on campus. Considerable efforts were made to prepare for the reopening, and it was truly a celebration for everyone who expressed how happy they were to be back," affirms Stéphanie B., Executive Director of Fondation Haitian Project, The Haitian Project's partner foundation in Haiti.

We are grateful for and proud of all of our colleagues in Haiti who have worked tirelessly to make this happen and to continue the mission in the face of so many challenges.

We'd also like to thank you, our THP community, for your support, prayers and advocacy on behalf of our students and mission.

Please join us in wishing the students, faculty, and staff a wonderful and successful school year!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Thank You for a Successful Giving Tuesday!

To everyone who took a moment to donate or share The Haitian Project's message yesterday in honor of Giving Tuesday... thank you!

As is so often the case, we at The Haitian Project were touched by the generosity and kindness of our community in honor of this global day of giving.

And if you didn't have a chance to participate, it's never too late. Donate now to show your support for our students and alumni and the power of education in Haiti.

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

Gwo Mesi (Huge Thanks) to Our Community...and Our Students

A special Thanksgiving reflection from THP Board Member Dave Albertine.

Dear THP Community,

As I look at recent photos and reflect on our students in Haiti, especially our many graduates, I see their wide smiles, shining eyes and hopes for the future. What remarkable students! Their faces are bright, holding promise and expectation, even when they come from families with few resources. They persevere within a country facing immense challenges.

As we approach our celebration of Thanksgiving, I say to them all: thank you so much, dear students, for what you have given to us. Thank you for reflecting God’s graces, which you show to us by your commitment to your education, by your service to your school and community, by the love you give to your families, and by the efforts you make in your young lives every day.

Of course, I am sure our students would be surprised to find we are thanking them. But by living the Louverture Cleary School motto, "What you receive for free, you must give for free" (Matthew 10:8), our students make all of us better people. They remind us of the humility and commitment we must have to support the work of The Haitian Project.

And there are so many others who deserve thanks as well, such as The Haitian Project leadership in Haiti and in the United States, our talented and dedicated staff and teachers, members of our board of directors and, of course, our many supporters and contributors.

I am confident that in our thankfulness to our students, we will not fail them. We will continue to provide them with the financial and other resources they need, and we will continue to offer our prayers that God help us to succeed as we build our second school and continue plans for the Louverture Cleary Schools Network.

As we gather with our friends and families this Thanksgiving Day, think of our student’s faces, remember their hopes and dreams, pray for their safety and care, and thank God for all the blessings that are shined upon us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave Albertine

Board Member—The Haitian Project

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.

 

The October Issue of Haitian Project News is Here!

Read all about it...

Preparing for the new school year: The 60 newly-selected Sizyèm (U.S. 7th grade) students and students filling open seats in other grades attend LCS orientation in August.

Many things go into getting Louverture Cleary School ready for the first day of school. And although the challenges surrounding the economic and security situation in Haiti were key factors in the decision by Haiti’s Ministry of Education to delay the start of the 2022-23 school year, there is no shortage of work to do at LCS in the meantime. The staff at LCS is making good use of the extra time by making improvements to campus, preparing lessons, and continuing their work on the staffing plans for LCS 2. Read all about these preparations in the latest issue of Haitian Project News!

What else is featured in this issue?

  • Have you ever thought about including The Haitian Project in your will or estate plan? THP community members Scott and Mary Jo LeGrand talk about why The Haitian Project was at the top of their list when they decided to leave a legacy of education in their will.

  • With inflation recently exceeding 30 percent, Haiti has not been spared from the cost-of-living crisis rocking the globe. Read how Louverture Cleary School has seen this impact firsthand.

  • Just before LCS celebrated its 27th graduation, the Philo (U.S. 12th grade +1) class participated in a seminar presented by young professionals from Bank of America Private Bank. This first-of-its-kind virtual event, and the first of what is intended to become an annual event for each graduating class, was a valuable capstone to the robust business instruction the students had received throughout the year.

  • By his estimate, long-time THP community member and architect Scott Hill has taken about 25 trips to Haiti. When the vision for the Louverture Cleary Schools Network came into view, the administration at The Haitian Project knew who to call. And, of course, Scott said yes to being involved.

  • Read about these topics and more of the latest THP happenings in the October issue of Haitian Project News!

“The key is that it [supporting THP] goes to advancing education. Not just giving somebody what they need to survive but giving them the knowledge, impetus, and hopefully motivation that the world is a fantastic place and it’s full of wonder.” Read more in the article "From the Ground Up: A Conversation with Scott Hill" in the October issue of Haitian Project News!

“Keep In Touch” to receive periodic updates on our students, activities at Louverture Cleary School, and progress on the LCS Network. Together, we can build a bright and enduring future for Haiti.