Despite more than 200 years since Haiti’s independence, schooling is meager.
Illiteracy rates are greater than 55% throughout the country and remain an enormous stigma.
It is easy to understand why exploitation is so rampant among the people of this land. 90% of the schools in Haiti belong to private institutions, not the government. Schooling is neither compulsory nor free.
Most children live in rural areas and cannot go to school unless they are sponsored. They either farm with their parents or become modern day house servants. Surviving is a struggle. They are indeed very poor. It is a real shame not to help those innocent children.
Ecole Mary Austen has enrolled hundreds of students under the general leadership of Rev. J. Pierrilus, who appointed the school’s first Director, Angelo Eugene, in 1986 to assist with school operations which graduated about 100 children from the 6th grade annually. Our elementary school is the largest in the region. Teachers work beyond the building’s capacity to educate the future of Haiti.
Alphabetization for those beyond schooling is also important. We must expand our services to include programs for teens and young adults outside of the school system in order to eradicate adult illiteracy.
No one can expect to have a country unless there are people. People merely exist, but do not truly live without knowledge. How do you have knowledge without schooling?
How can you go to school if you cannot afford it? As funds become available, MIA aims to expand the existing school and envisions establishing several small schools throughout the region.
Messengers In Action, Inc. 