The Education Center, CFHE's home base in Deschapelles, offers an inspiring space for our administrative staff and all the programs CFHE runs in the community.
The Education Center is a solar powered facility that offers 3 large offices, a computer lab with 10 stations, 3 large multi-purpose classrooms, and storage space for classroom books and supplies for our scholarship program. Since opening in 2017, the Ed Center has become a hub and gathering place in the region, and we remain amazed at the creative ways the facility allows us to advance our educational programs and mission in the region.
Career Development
At the heart of The Crosby Fund’s mission lies the deep conviction that a brighter future for Haiti depends upon educating its youth and preparing them for profes- sional careers. To that end, and to “close the loop” on our ongoing mission, The Crosby Fund has initiated the Career Development Program, a new CFHE initiative that proactively helps put our college and technical school graduates on the path to sustaining careers.
Through partnerships and micro-financing CFHE is helping place graduates into internships at Heifer International as well as launching small businesses in solar engineering and new agronomy initiatives.
Adult Literacy Program
55% of adult Haitians are illiterate. This staggering fact, and our experience in Haiti led us to initiate the literacy program in January of 2017. This is a 2-year program that teaches adults and teenagers how to read and write Kreyol, their native lan- guage. Many of these adults never had the chance to go to school when they were young, and we are honored to offer this program. We have 2 first-year classes and 2 second-year classes. Each class meets two times a week for 3 hours each session. At the end of the second year, the students take a state exam on literacy and if they pass the exam, they receive their certificate of graduation. Last year, 40 adults graduated from the program, and it was joyous celebration with over 200 friends and family in attendance. Currently, we have 56 adults ages 16-73 in our two classes.
In 2021, with curriculum, materials and teacher training provided by USAID, we will be launching a Youth Literacy Program at our Education Center for children ages 6-13 who are unable to attend formal school.
Computer Training
For high school and university bound students, we offer computer training for homework and research as well as programs to assist them in mathematics (Khan Academy) and foreign language (Duolingo) as well as the basic functions of the computer: how to word process, create and use spread sheet programs, and do research. With the help of Pfizer we provide each university student with a lap-top so that each student enters university with the necessary skills and a computer in hand.
Sex Education Program
This past year CFHE conducted a Sex Education program that was held at our Education Center. The program, led by Zulta Jean Baptiste along with two other registered nurses from neighboring St. Marc, was offered in two sections orga- nized by grade level: 7th Grade to 9th Grade, and 10th Grade to Philo. Topics ranged from puberty, to prevention of early pregnancy to family planning, and for the older group a section about pre- venting STDs and AIDs was included.
We believe this program to be a critical part of student development because Haitian schools, unlike ours in the US, do not offer health classes or provide Sex Education as part of the curriculum. CFHE will continue to offer this program in 2019 with plans to add additional sessions to accommodate more in depth discussions, and to include students’ parents into the program as well.
Teachers Seminars
Over the past three years, we have hosted seminars for teachers and school directors at our Education Center. The most recent three-day seminar was offered by GRED, a research group for development in education in partnership with a local schools. 35 teachers attended the seminar to learn about “Methods and Strategies for Evaluation”. Past seminars have been facilitated by Lise Frederique Charlier have included topics such as “Preparation of an Interactive Lesson Plan” and “Leadership and Classroom Management Techniques.” We also host informal gatherings for teachers and school directors who simply want to exchange ideas with other teachers and directors.
Seminars for Students
College Preparatory
Upon successfully completing high school, we offer the opportunity for students to continue their education at one of the universities in Haiti or in a technical school program. In Haiti, a student needs to select a discipline as a freshman and go to the school that offers that course of study. To assist the students in choosing a discipline suited to their interests and skills, we offer an annual seminar that uses a multiple-choice interest inventory work sheet that creates results that match skills to careers and helps them establish goals for the future.
We also offer a seminar for university bound students who are moving to Port-au-Prince (60 miles south). Current university students and alumni share their experiences in Port-au-Prince at the many universities. The in-coming freshmen ask questions, receive good advice, and build connections with one another.
Career bound students know that fluency in English is a very much needed skill. English is taught in secondary school, but students need additional help and practice. We offer English classes for upper level students and for those waiting to go to university.
Job Searching
Searching for a job after graduation from university and technical school is a real challenge. We offer a seminar that talks about preparing for a job interview, resume writing, and searching in general.
Youth Exchange Programs
The Education Center along with the accompanying guest house (opened in 2019) offer the opportunity for young people to engage with Haitian students in a transformative and culturally broadening experience. Over 50 young people (14-18 years) have traveled to Haiti to offer programs for Haitian youth of all ages. The students offer arts and crafts programs, play sports, help students with their English, volunteer in schools and enjoy the rich culture of Haiti. This program offers a great way for teenagers to become engaged in the problems of the world, especially in developing countries.
An Academic Competition
Festi-Génie
In a continual effort to support education in the region, CFHE sponsors an annual academic competition in the fields of mathematics and science. The annual Festi-Génie competition is hosted at CFHE’s Education Center and is includes 16 schools from Verrettes, Deschapelles, and Petite Riviere, all within the Artibonite Valley. For 8 consecutive Saturdays, the top 6 students from each competing school in grades 7 – 9 are challenged with questions in math and science. Our tutors and local teachers serve as judges and Ducasse Alphonse, an alumnus and a CFHE tutor, creates the questions with advise from a university professor in Port-au-Prince. To up the stakes for the competitions, The Crosby Fund offers prizes to each school: first prize $1,000, second prize $700, and third prize $400.
Summer Camps
In the summer of 2019 over 200 children from ages 4 to 13 participated in our summer camp program over a period of two weeks in June and July (100 each week). These excited children were offered a variety of activities from arts and crafts, theatre, singing, dancing, and some sports. Many of the children do not have the opportunity to go to school, so we were delighted to incorporate a little education as well. Each day included a snack and 2 days a week a complete meal of chicken and rice. Many thanks to the three Haitian leaders of the camp: Kettelie Petite-Lou Jules, Mirakin Andre, and Oliancy Charles.