Haiti

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WCF launched an ESL/Computer Life Center that provides English and Computer Training to the poorest of the poor. WCF also provides Education Sponsorships and Food Programs.

 

What We Provide:

  • English Classes

  • Computer Classes

  • Food Programs

  • Educational Sponsorships

  • Intensive Vocational Skills Training Camps

 

Country Overview

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The word Haiti means “land of the high mountains.”  Haiti relies heavily on agriculture, mainly subsistence farming.  It has been heavily influenced by Spain, France and the United States but they finally won their independence in 1804 from the French and became the first free black republic in the world.  

Natural disasters, such as the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, frequently afflict the nation of Haiti. The economy and infrastructure have been severely affected, and much rehabilitation and long-term development are necessary. The unemployment rate in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, is currently estimated to be at 13.4%, although underemployment is much higher. Poverty is pervasive with 60% of the population living on less than $2.41 a day. Limited business and employment opportunities force many to scramble through traffic every day to sell anything they can - mangoes, water, phone cards, used clothing, etc. It is no surprise, therefore, that most families cannot afford to send their children to school or eat more than one hot meal a day as they struggle to pay their living expenses.

Country Projects

Life Center

WCF launched the Haiti Life Center in January 2019, a permanent community center designed to provide job skills to members of disadvantaged communities in partnership with our partner Caribbean Grace Tabernacle (CGT), founded and led by Haitian national Elsie Lherisson in Port-Au-Prince since 1996. Our initial pilot classes taught Level 1 ESL (English as a Second Language) and Computer Class (Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office).

English has become the universal language for the Internet and business in general. Proficiency in English is now highly valued and in much demand in Haiti, a French and Creole speaking nation situated very near English-speaking America, Canada and other English speaking Caribbean countries.

Many employers in Haiti are now asking for English proficiency as a job requirement. For example, the tourism sector is growing with several new hotels in Port-au-Prince and an increase in international travelers by nearly 20% in the last couple of years. Other businesses must interact with English language based businesses around the world.

WCF aims to empower young people, particularly those in difficult life circumstances, with English skills essential for their success in the labor force.

Other technical training that will be added to the Life Center will include Business English and Computer Programming skills.

 

HAITI ESL - COMPUTER LIFE CENTER

WCF launched an ESL/Computer/Business Training Center in Port-au-Prince. The Center will provide students with immediately relevant job skills training, especially for th…

 

Development

WCF sponsors teams to run intensive English camps, computer camps, and vocational skills camps (i.e. sewing and construction) and conducts business seminars on topics such as Ethics, Business Plan Development, Marketing, Budgeting, and many other relevant topics. These development projects are aimed at empowering individuals with skills that will enable them to work and support themselves and their families.

As part of our longer term goals, WCF sponsors education fees for children and youth and is in the planning stages of establishing a Life Center in Haiti with our partners to offer these programs on a more continuous and permanent basis.

Please view a recent video report on our projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmkBMLC2ORo&feature=youtu.be

Lack of access to education is a key obstacle to economic development in Haiti. The government has been unable to provide adequate public primary or secondary schools.  80% of primary schools are privately owned (World Bank 2015) and require tuition fees.  Due to the widespread unemployment and underemployment as well as the majority of the people earning below the poverty line, most families cannot afford to send their children to school. The average Haitian 25 years or older has less than 5 years of schooling.  Overall, 50% of children do not attend school (World Bank 2013). Attendance in secondary school is only 36% (UNICEF 2012). Very few Haitians receive higher education, which severely limits their ability to succeed in the labor force. Haiti only has 22 officially recognized higher education institutions (UniRank 2018). 

Through our Education Sponsorship program, our English, computer, and vocational skills camps and business training, WCF aims to equip youth and young adults with the necessary knowledge and skills needed for today's increasingly globalized world.

 

HAITI EDUCATIONAL SPONSORSHIPS

Provides educational sponsorships for at-risk children and youth in the Ravines of Port-au-Prince, Haiti

HAITI ENGLISH / COMPUTER / VOCATIONAL TRAINING

WCF sponsors intensive English proficiency, Computer and Vocational Training Courses in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel

Humanitarian

WCF has been involved in Haiti since its inception in 2007. WCF began by primarily sponsoring medical clinics as well as funding community projects with our partners in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. Over time, WCF began supporting existing food and nutrition programs in those two locations. The combined food programs feed approximately 250 children five times a week, all year long.

The number of Haitians facing food insecurity has more than doubled in the past year due to the continuing natural disasters that continue to plague the country such as the 2016 Hurricane Matthew. More than a third of the country is being put into greater poverty and hunger. WCF is sponsoring a food and nutrition program for needy children in two partner locations in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. WCF has in the past sponsored medical clinics, earthquake disaster relief, and business development projects with our partners.

 

HAITI/PORT-AU-PRINCE - FOOD/NUTRITION PROGRAM

[**COVID-19 has caused a change in the ministry. Food Care Packages are now being provided to families**] WCF partners with Caribbean Grace Tabernacle in Haiti/Port-au-…

HAITI/JACMEL - FOOD/NUTRITION PROGRAM

[**COVID-19 has caused a change in the ministry. Food Care Packages are now being provided to families**] WCF partners with Christ Love Center in Haiti/Jacmel Daily Food …