Our Programs
In Haiti, only 20% of middle school and high school age kids stay in school.
Haiti’s school system is dominated by the private sector making school tuition too expensive for most families, especially past middle school. Our education program helps families overcome this obstacle by covering the cost of tuition & providing additional support to keep kids in school.
Creating long-term effects on poverty in Haiti starts with education. Education creates a positive ripple effect across communities that allows people to take control of their futures & change their lives for the better.
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In fall of 2022, we opened the doors to Project Fleri Scholastic Academy (PFSA) Elementary School, teaching K - grade 4. Our goal is to expand our elementary school to include grade 6 - 12 overtime.
The vision of Project Fleri Scholastic Academy is to provide a holistic quality education to underprivileged students in Haiti. Quality education is challenging to find in Haiti, and it is almost always costly. Our goal is to create a system where all students, regardless of economic background, can access the country's best education.
How do we provide a holistic quality education?
Hire Qualified Staff: All of Project Fleri's teachers have received a college degree. Additionally, they have dedicated themselves to improving our community's conditions and making a long-lasting impact on students' lives.
Have a Quality Curriculum: PFSA has combined the curriculum in Haiti with a U.S.-accredited curriculum to ensure our students have educational and career opportunities locally and globally.
Incorporate Extracurricular Activities: PFSA offers many enrichment programs in and after school. Language courses and mentorship programs are available during the school day. After school, students can access tutoring services, various clubs such as soccer and photography, and career development opportunities. Each year we grow our extracurricular offerings so that students can participate in activities that fit their passions.
Promote Sustainable Practices: Project Fleri is dedicated to incorporating sustainable practices into its school in Haiti. The school is built from recycled materials and storage containers, making it earthquake resistant. It is entirely solar-powered and has a policy to limit plastic use. We have established a gardening program, using produce grown on-site for daily school lunches. Students maintain the garden and are encouraged to plant at home, teaching self-sustaining skills crucial in the fight against poverty.
Provide Incentives: Students are incentivized to work hard in school. Our incentives include fun Fridays once a month for students attending school regularly and performing well. These Fridays include trips to the pool, movie nights, and various fun activities.
Gender Equality: A goal of PFSA is to promote gender equality in Haiti. Young women in Haiti are among the most vulnerable. Mentors and activities empower young women to advance in their education, employment, and communities, contributing to a more equitable Haiti.
Promote Mental and Physical Health: Good mental and physical health is crucial for academic performance. Students at PFSA have access to a full-time mental health counselor and school nurse to ensure their needs are met.
Encourage Parent & Community Engagement: Parents should play a key role in their child's education. Regular parent-teacher conferences and community gatherings ensure that the success of PFSA and the students is a group effort.
Career Development: Our goal is to provide students with career development opportunities that support their future success.
Ultimately, our goal is to become a K-12 U.S.-accredited school that fosters opportunities for our students around the globe.
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Many children in Haiti don’t receive a daily meal. Since 2020, Project Fleri has partnered with two schools in Port au Prince to provide daily meals to its students. Our school lunch program provides the 900 children at St. Louis and St. Jude with a nutritious, daily meal to help them continue to grow and develop in and outside of school.
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The after-school program at Project Fleri Scholastic Academy (PFSA) is designed to provide comprehensive support and enrichment activities to enhance students' educational experiences. This program includes tutoring and a wide range of enrichment activities, such as soccer and arts clubs, aiming to foster both academic and personal growth among students.
Importance of the After-School Program:
The program offers an after-school snack to ensure students are well-nourished and ready to engage in learning and activities. The presence of dedicated tutors allows students to receive the one-on-one attention they need to excel in their studies. This personalized support is crucial in helping students overcome academic challenges and succeed in their classes.
Enrichment Clubs
To keep the program dynamic and engaging, PFSA offers a variety of enrichment clubs throughout the school year and summer. These clubs are scheduled in four sessions: February/March, April/May, July/August (summer learning program), and October/November. Each session introduces different activities, ensuring that students can explore various interests and talents.
Future enrichment clubs include:
Gardening: Teaching students to grow plants and understand the basics of horticulture.
Drumming and Dance: Providing creative outlets and cultural enrichment through music and movement.
Photography and Art: Encouraging artistic expression and technical skills.
Soccer and Basketball: Promoting physical health and teamwork through sports.
Jewelry Making and Sewing: Offering skills in crafting and design, fostering creativity and patience.
Chess and Book Club: Enhancing critical thinking and fostering a love for reading.
Acting/Drama and Video Editing: Developing performance skills and technical knowledge in multimedia.
Girl Power Program
Aimed at empowering young girls, the Girl Power program includes monthly meetings and retreats. These activities are designed to build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of community among female students. The program encourages girls to see themselves in careers and positions of influence, addressing the significant challenges faced by young women in Haiti.
SEL/Career Development
Social-emotional learning (SEL) and career development are integral parts of the after-school program. Students participate in PBIS reward outings and guest speaker series, which provide positive reinforcement and exposure to various career paths. These initiatives help students build essential life skills and prepare for future opportunities.
Training and Events
Regular training sessions, events, and meetings are conducted to ensure parents and the community are actively involved in the educational process. Parent meetings, staff training, and community events such as the Back to School Bash and End of School Year Party foster a supportive environment for students.
Community Engagement
Community support is a cornerstone of the after-school program. Engaging with parents and community members ensures that students receive holistic support, both academically and personally. This engagement helps create a nurturing environment where students are motivated to stay in school and succeed.
Nutrition and Summer Learning
The program ensures that students receive nutritious meals, which are vital for their cognitive development and academic performance. Additionally, the summer learning program combats the summer slide by offering educational sessions that help students retain knowledge and stay prepared for the upcoming school year.
One-on-One Literacy Support
To address literacy challenges, PFSA provides one-on-one reading and writing lessons on weekends. This individualized instruction helps students improve their literacy skills, ensuring they meet the academic standards for their grade level.
Overall, the after-school program at PFSA is a multifaceted initiative designed to provide academic support, enrichment activities, and personal development opportunities for students. Through community engagement, targeted support, and a wide range of activities, the program aims to create a nurturing and empowering environment for all students.
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Scholarships play a crucial role in providing access to education for children in Haiti, where the majority of schools are private and often prohibitively expensive for most families. The Haitian education system is predominantly composed of private institutions, which account for about 85% of all schools. These schools, while offering quality education, come with significant costs that include tuition, uniforms, books, and other educational materials. In Haiti, the economic situation is dire for many families, who live on an average of just $2 a day. The annual expenses for books alone can range between $250 to $350, making education an insurmountable barrier for most households. As a result, many children are forced to stay at home, unable to access the education they need to build a better future.
Scholarships are essential in bridging this gap by providing the necessary financial support to cover educational expenses, ensuring that children from low-income families can attend school. At Project Fleri, the scholarship program was created to address this significant need. By partnering with local schools like Mixte St. Louis in Vivy Mitchel, the program covers the costs of uniforms, books, and tuition for students from kindergarten through high school. The impact of these scholarships extends beyond individual students to their families and the wider community, enabling educated children to contribute positively to their communities and break the cycle of poverty. Project Fleri’s scholarship program is a testament to the transformative power of education and the critical role that financial support plays in making education accessible to all.
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The Project Fleri Welcome House is an IBESR (Haitian Social Services) accredited home for 20 vulnerable children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Our goal is to provide a safe home, food, and education for children who do not have another option for living. We create a safe, family environment for children to grow and learn while working to reunite families whenever possible.
David & Neva, Project Fleri’s foster parents, live at the home with our children and create a family environment with warm family relationships. Along with the family environment our kids receive, we provide emotional support, education, and a diversified continuum of services with a focus on self-sustained skill development. A plan is developed for each child leading to an outcome of healthy reunification, kinship care, or independent living through education or work opportunities.
The Welcome House has become a community center for all the children in the neighborhood. Our goal is for every kid in our program and in the neighborhood to feel like they have a place to come any time.