Getting Ready for Disaster

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti took the lives of thousands and devastated the health and education systems of heavily populated areas throughout the country. Amidst the chaos and destruction, Haitians provided training and safe spaces for students to help restore structure and develop skills to respond to potential future disasters. Jovenel Thomas, an English teacher from Cap-Haitien, has been a champion for these much-needed efforts.

After participating in US-based training through the IREX implemented Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) program for in-service teachers, Jovenel used micro-grant funding to provide crisis response training to students in local schools and communities in Cap-Haitien, the country’s second largest city. Jovenel collaborated with firefighters and Red Cross volunteers to deliver CPR training to 50 students from 10 secondary schools in the area. Role plays enabled students to practice the skills to respond to crisis situations like the one they recently experienced. “Students need to be trained to deal with emergencies when they encounter them,” Jovenel explains. “They are eager to take the lead but need models to show them how.” In turn, many of the students led trainings for community associations, church groups, and family members in basic emergency response, expanding exponentially the impact of Jovenel’s work.

Utilizing the training he received in the in-service teachers program, Jovenel modeled leadership and problem-solving skills to empower young people to assist their schools and communities in future emergencies. “Before participating in the TEA program, I never thought about a teacher being an agent for change within my community,” he says. “Now I am more engaged in community development. Teachers who encourage participative leadership in their classes can help students transcend barriers such as those presented by illiteracy and prejudice.”

Jovenel’s training strengthened students’ capacity to respond as leaders in times of crisis and bolstered their confidence in their ability to handle challenges. Today, Jovenel continues working in schools and organizing leadership workshops for university students and professionals to expand Cap- Haitien’s network of first responders and community leaders.

The above story appears in IREX's 2011 Annual Report. With your help, we can continue to assist other people like Jovenel rebuild their country. Please consider making a gift online through our donation page.