Rich Gosser

Yesterday I spent the morning at the St. Antoine School here in Fondwa with my friend Missy Owen. It was my second visit to the school in two weeks. This time I went to meet with some of the elementary school children and deliver to them Song Books, Story Books, audio casettes and photographs that came from Holy Trinity School in Ligonier, PA where I live! We also recorded some songs that the St. Antoine kids has prepared before our visit. Below is a picture of some of the kids pouring over a picture of their counterparts in Ligonier!

Haiti is only an hour and half flight from Miami, but in almost every way it is "a world away" from everything most of us in the US take for granted. Public education in Haiti exists, but teachers there are poorly paid and very often don't have a degree or any particular training in education. If you've completed a grade, then you're qualified to teach it even if you've only progressed one year beyond the grade you're teaching.

I was very impressed when I walked into the third grade classroom at the St. Antoine School. Written on the rudimentary chalk board in French was the statement: "Education is the foundation for all change". It's a powerful statement. Most Haitians I've met would agree.

Although getting an education - especially a good education - is extrmemly difficult here, just about everyone I know here attaches tremendous value to education. On the one hand it's a teacher's nightmare here. There are few books. Classrooms are poorly lighted and overcrowded. Children often spend hours walking to get to school - most often without breakfast. (There are some kids who attend the St. Antoine School who must walk as much as three or even four HOURS to reach the school and - trust me on this one because I know from experience - the walking is VERY rugged!)

On the other hand though I would LOVE to have a chance to teach some of the young people I know here. They have such a desire to learn. They work so very, very hard in spite of the obstacles. I grew up in a family that instilled in me a love for education. I've always loved learning. I've been privileged to attend some very good schools and earn several degrees. If I'd been born in Haiti, I don't know if I would have had the energy or endurance to complete elementary school. There are kids here who are as gifted - or more gifted - than I. They will never have the same opportunities as I've had. It's my privilege though to help level the playing field for them somewhat by supporting some of the initiatives of APF and our other collaborators in Haiti. Education IS, after all, the foundation for change.

rich • Jan-Feb 2007 1 comment