Haiti: One Year Later

Today marks one year since the massive earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, devastating the population and setting back years of development. Over the past year, IREX worked closely with our Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program alumni in Haiti to support their outstanding efforts to rebuild their country. 

As we reflect on the past year and begin to look ahead, IREX is proud to support our colleagues in Haiti as they continue to rebuild. Join us as we recall last year's exciting projects from our TEA Alumni in Haiti:

Fanfan Joseph, an English teacher and President of the English Club of Cap-Haitien, organized a four-day training workshop for 50 English teachers in Cap-Haitien over the summer of 2010, and a follow-on workshop in September. Focusing on lesson planning, reflexive teaching, and cooperative learning techniques in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom, Joseph trained participants on practical skills that they could use in their classrooms immediately. Read the full story here.

English teacher Abel Mercier organized a “Day of Fun” for over 80 high school students from Lycée Cité-Soleil in Port-au-Prince, the capital city that was hardest hit by the earthquake. Students spent a beautiful summer day playing games, learning about plate tectonics, and building their self confidence. Read the full story here.

Jovenal Thomas, another English teacher from Cap-Haitien, collaborated with Red Cross volunteers to deliver CPR training to high school students. “There is no Civil Defense Warning Program here, no 911 telephone number to call, limited ambulance service and very little access to medical treatment,” says Thomas. His training prepared students to perform important services during an emergency. Read the full story here.

Kristin Laboe of IREX visited Haiti in April 2009. Read her account of the resiliency and energy she saw among Haitian youth here.