Haiti EcoVillage School, Fall 2024

The Haiti EcoVillage School stands as a beacon of hope in a country where daily life is defined by uncertainty and hardship. While much of the country struggles with violence, hunger, and the absence of effective governance, the school provides a sanctuary of safety, learning, and community.

Attendance has surged, and the quality of education remains high. Our committed teachers continue to show up every day because they know their work is vital for the future of Haiti. In spite of the collapse of the government, the school’s resilience is evident.

The Haiti EcoVillage School Partnership is dedicated to raising the funds necessary to keep this beacon shining. Without our support, the school would simply cease to operate. 400+ children would be left without education, safety, or a daily meal — the only solid meal for many students.

Eleven years ago, when this partnership was founded, we envisioned a self-sustaining school, eventually funded by the Haitian government. However, the reality in Haiti has changed, requiring a renewed commitment from us. We choose to continue our mission, embracing the values of faith, courage, resilience, and commitment.

Social events, fundraising efforts, and steadfast support from local churches and donors continue to ensure that the Haiti EcoVillage School remains a thriving oasis of learning and stability in a sea of chaos.

In a place where a human dignity is challenged every day, we provide the resources to keep this essential institution going. Our students, teachers and families deserve nothing less.

Thank you for helping us keep hope alive.

"Education is the Best!"

I am Rosegaële Alfred and I am a 7th grade student at the Haiti EcoVillage School. I am 14 years old and I live with my mother, Eliane Estenat and my 2 brothers and 4 sisters. We live in the small village of Beganabe so I walk about 10 minutes to get to my school in the EcoVillages.

Education is The Best! It is the key to changing the lives of little children like me from poverty to a better life. My mother is a sales woman by trade but in Haïti right now this is very challenging because of the violence and insecurity in our country.  My father is a policeman. Unfortunately, the police in Haïti are in grave danger from gangs that control parts of the country. And, my father finds it difficult to make enough money to meet the needs of his family. Even though my parents work very hard, there is often not enough for our family because life is so hard.

I take my studies at school very seriously because I hope to bring change to the life of my parents and my family and myself. My teachers tell me I am very intelligent. I work hard (like my parents) because I understand my parents fight for me to have a better tomorrow. 

I am very grateful to the Haiti EcoVillage School Partnership for helping the school. Ke Bondye beni gwoup la ak fanmi yo! (May God bless the group and all their families.)

Bracing for Irma

My brother Sam French and his family have lived near the beach in Puerto Rico for 45 years.  Many hurricanes have passed over.  For the first time, they may face an evacuation order today as Irma bears down. There is fear in PR.  My extended family is full of anxiety for their safety. 

After Puerto Rico, Irma will visit Hispaniola. 

The EcoVillages of the central plateau of Haiti are about to be hit if current projections bear out.  The good news is that the 60 families should be safe in their reinforced concrete homes.  They have a school that opened this week for the new year.  Now, every grade has their own classroom.  The Haiti EcoVillage School Partnership has partnered with them to improve their lives in this way.

The news may not be so good for their livelihoods.  Families live garden-to-mouth from the food they grow in the ½ acre outside their front doors.  Mark Hare describes their gardens as “their grocery store, pantry and refrigerator combined.”

In addition, each village has planted new cash crops of moringa or cassava & peanuts, while 3 villages have built enclosures and bought goats to raise funds to support the school.  Our partnership has funded these cash crops by providing loans through their credit union. 

When hurricane Mathew devastated the western part of Haiti 10 months ago, winds were strong enough in the central plateau to disturb their gardens and make it harder to feed their families.  Irma is on a more direct path.  I can only imagine the fear in Haiti, too.  I feel anxiety for their well-being.

In April we met all of the women of the EcoVillage households as Jeanine Calia shook hands with each as she passed out gift boxes sent from women in Atlanta.  Everyone of village women is a survivor of the 2010 earthquake (and years in tent cities) that deprived them of everything they had.  Their faces show the strain from living always on the edge. They are tough. They are resilient. They will survive Irma, too.  The unknown is what toll it will take on them.

I invite you, as you go through your day, to think of these friends.  See their faces in your mind. Embrace their fear with them. I admire their toughness, their resilience. I will accompany them as best I can from the comforts of my home.  And, when the storm moves on toward our homeland and we feel the fear and anxiety for ourselves, I will remember them.  I hope you will, too.

Gordon French