Beyond Borders > News & Events > Annual Report 2010

Schools Alive!

Barely half of Haiti’s children attend school. Most of those who do attend drop out before completing the fourth grade because their parents can’t afford tuition. And because so few teachers in Haiti have any formal training,

the quality of schooling is generally very poor and leaves even students who graduate ill equipped to escape poverty. The Schools Alive! program works both to increase access to and improve the quality of education for Haiti’s most disadvantaged children. This past year, Schools Alive staff worked in 157 schools. Along with training and materials, some schools received support for construction and assistance with salaries. This work is done through our sister organization, Limyè Lavi, and in partnership with Save the Children and Concern Worldwide.			Overage students like those in this accelerated classroom are usually excluded from traditional schools. Schools in rural communities are often so distant that by the time many children are old enough to walk the many miles to the nearest school, they are ten or older and considered too old to start school. Schools Alive addresses this challenge by establishing “satellite schools” closer to the homes of younger children and by helping schools establish accelerated classes that offer overage students the opportunity to catch up with their peers.

the quality of schooling is generally very poor and leaves even students who graduate ill equipped to escape poverty.

The Schools Alive! program works both to increase access to and improve the quality of education for Haiti’s most disadvantaged children.

This past year, Schools Alive staff worked in 157 schools. Along with training and materials, some schools received support for construction and assistance with salaries. This work is done through our sister organization, Limyè Lavi, and in partnership with Save the Children and Concern Worldwide.

Overage students like those in this accelerated classroom are usually excluded from traditional schools. Schools in rural communities are often so distant that by the time many children are old enough to walk the many miles to the nearest school, they are ten or older and considered too old to start school. Schools Alive addresses this challenge by establishing “satellite schools” closer to the homes of younger children and by helping schools establish accelerated classes that offer overage students the opportunity to catch up with their peers.

Students at work in a third-grade class in the Meno Community School. The teaching methods and materials we use promote self-respect, service to community, and the skills needed for life-long learning. Last fiscal year 24,979 students benefited from the Schools Alive program.