A grandfather finds hope for his granddaughter’s future
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671408028113{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Arthur St. Louis (pictured here), the grandfather and guardian of two Children’s Academy students, delivers a regular dose of positivity to the school each day. He’s known for his hard work in the school gardens and providing far more service hours than are required for his two granddaughters’ enrollment. (In lieu of […]
Celebrating Sustainable Agriculture at the Children’s Academy
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1651615990164{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Traditionally, May 1st is a celebration of agriculture in Haiti. Even with all the recent gang violence and insecurity, The Children’s Academy held a wonderful agricultural celebration on Monday, May 2nd. An abundance of beautiful vegetables harvested from local gardens–The Children’s Academy’s and families’–were proudly displayed. And some were cooked and enjoyed! […]
“Konbit Chanjman” – Community Change Groups at the Children’s Academy
[mk_page_section][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1600816742804{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Konbit Chanjman, which translates to Community Change Groups, are shaping the culture at the Children’s Academy and Learning Center in profound ways. Children of group members are growing up witnessing and participating in group accomplishments with great success. “Konbit” is Haitian-Creole for a traditional form of cooperative communal labor. It […]
Who Will We Choose to Be? Creating a better world on the other side of COVID-19
Reflections on the COVID-19 crisis by Haiti Partners Director, John Engle As many of you know, I’m among the people in the world who has for decades straddled living in the world’s most rich and powerful country—the United States—and one of the financially poorest countries, Haiti. Aside from a year in France, I’ve spent most […]
Twenty-eight years ago today: A reflection by John Engle
It was about 6 a.m. and I was praying in a space designed to be the servants quarters but which we turned into a tiny prayer room. I was living with David Diggs, Christine Barnden and several others in an apartment in Port au Prince, Haiti. We thought we’d soon be driving my mother to […]
In Memory of Larry Norton
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1563541022670{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]We were among the many people to be touched by Lawrence’s gentle kindness. To be sure, he was skillful in helping Haitians learn the electrical and plumbing trades. What made him particularly unique was his patience and calmness. He treated people with deep respect. That’s who Larry was. And you could count […]
My Journey with Invitational Leadership and What Precipitated Our Monthly Community Meetings
By John Engle. My years of work in Haiti, prior to opening the Children’s Academy with Merline, Alex Myril and members of the community, were spent learning and helping others to learn, how to create conditions for engagement. Haitians and expats working in Haiti have all seen countless examples of projects that don’t work. More […]
From Violence to Dialogue: Dealing with Unrest at the Children’s Academy
… if you’re determined to go to the school, be ready, be courageous. Definitely, don’t go in the truck. Burning barricades have been built by people who are angry. They’re acting in solidarity with people around Port-Au-Prince … to lock down the country and restrict movement. Better to walk so that you can talk with […]
Update on the recent turmoil in Haiti
Friends to Haiti, We hope this letter finds you well. You have likely heard about the recent unrest in Haiti. We wanted to give you an update. HAITI UPRISING Beginning February 7, a series of protests began in Haiti. The demonstrations grew mainly in the capitol, Port-au-Prince, but ultimately have been affecting the entire country. […]
An afternoon with Jores
I was at the Children’s Academy with some neighborhood kids during recent Christmas break. Jores, father of Children’s Academy students Jonelson and Safera, was fetching water and was on his way back with a five gallon bucket on his head. “Koman ou ye, Jores?” I asked how he was. “Pa pi mal.” Not too bad, […]