Success in Haiti: How You’re Helping Haitians in the Southeast Department
Job Creation Program Marks Final Milestone in Haiti’s Southeast Department
Construction students trained in seismic- and hurricane-resistant building techniques with support from ACDI/VOCA’s REACH program have completed their final project of building a disaster-resistant primary school classrooms and successfully graduated the intensive job training program.
“This program really hit a chord here in Jacmel and has set the pace for others to follow,” says ACDI/VOCA-Haiti Chief of Party Emmet Murphy.
We are excited to share this success from Haiti—made possible through the generosity of people like you. Thank you!
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REACH graduates holding diplomas at graduation ceremony. Flickr album.
Photographer: ACDI/VOCA-Haiti |
Students Construct Classrooms
The two large rooms—which accommodate up to 80 children—mark the last milestone of the trainees’ intensive six-month vocational training. ACDI/VOCA coordinated with local education leaders and groups, including the Southeast Department's regional director for the department of education, to choose the school project.
“We needed those rooms so much,” says the school principal, Louiger Anna. “We had to put two classes in one room and the kids were one on top of the other.”
“Thank you so very much," Anna says.
REACH (Rural Economy Acceleration in Haiti) is a small-grants program generously funded by ACDI/VOCA's community through the VOCA Fund to support job generation in Haiti’s Southeast Department following the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Job Skills-Building Training in Haiti
Through REACH ACDI/VOCA partnered with local educational institution APTECH (Ateliers de Technologies). APTECH developed a six-month training curriculum in construction, which is critical for Haiti because of the need for skilled workers to help with rebuilding efforts.
Forty students were trained through practical, hands-on activities in seismic- and hurricane-resistant building techniques.
ACDI/VOCA volunteer Kent Allen—who made two trips to Haiti from Wyoming to share his expertise in seismic- and hurricane-resistant building techniques—attended the April 2011 graduation to congratulate the students.
“The REACH project was the kind of situation, as a vocational teacher educator, for which I had been preparing my entire professional life," says Allen.
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ACDI/VOCA volunteer Kent Allen trains students at APTECH in seismic and hurricane-resistant building techniques. Flickr album
Photographer: ACDI/VOCA-Haiti |
Allen instructed the students in light construction, seismic- and hurricane-resistant building techniques, and how to assess materials used for various types of construction as part of APTECH's job training program.
“At this time, it is obvious that APTECH has a solid footing in construction, manufacturing and teaching from which it can continue to expand its service to the Jacmel area,” says Allen. Read more about Allen’s 2010 visit to Haiti.
Successful Fundraising Effort
ACDI/VOCA knows from experience that building local capacity is key to revitalizing Haiti’s rural economy. Through the generosity of our community, we were able to reach our goal of $100,000.
To all of you who have joined us to rebuild a stronger Haiti, we say “Thank you.”
Haiti Work Continues
ACDI/VOCA selected the Southeast Department, focused in and around Jacmel, because of our established presence there and our current project efforts to strengthening Haitian agriculture and rural enterprise. All donated funds are administered and monitored by our on-the-ground team in Haiti.
ACDI/VOCA also continues its long-term development efforts in Haiti. Learn more here about ACDI/VOCA's ongoing work in Haiti.
For more information
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