Zoranje Ap Travay has Launched!

Translated as "Zoranje is Working," Zoranje Ap Travay is an economic development initiative launched by PRODEV in support of the principle that Strong Communities Build Strong Schools. Working in partnership with the public and private sectors, Zoranje Ap Travay strives to offer employment opportunities to residents. 

Zoranje Ap Travay has already partnered with long-time supporter and high fashion apparel maker Paula Coles, to provide training and employment to 20 parents. PRODEV is currently working with the Haitian Olympic Committee to link residents of Zoranje to employment opportunities with regards to the construction of a Sports Center in the neighborhood.

Click here to see more from Paula Coles.

Service Day at Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje

On January 18th, we welcomed MyHaitiTravels to our Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje for a day of service. They helped us plant 10 coconut trees and spent time with our students and teachers. They also had the chance to visit the community center and promised to be back and be involved in the continuation of PRODEV's vision. 

Thank you Happy Hearts and Petra Nemcova for providing the trees!

News from Lounedie and Stevenson

Lounedie and Stevenson, our students living with severe disabilities, are thriving at the Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje! 

Stevenson inspires all who meet him with his determination to learn. He can read, spell and count. Lounedie loves to draw and she never misses an opportunity to use crayons and coloring books. The sight and sound of these children working is profoundly moving and inspiring. We know that this miracle would not have been possible without your support. 

Many thanks to those who have sent their contributions and to Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante for the donation of wheelchairs!

Update on Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean

Aligning our vision with that of the Government of Haiti to decentralize and offer opportunities outside of Port-au-Prince, we partnered with Royal Caribbean to open a PRODEV managed community school in Labadie called Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean (ENRC).

Today, Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean has become a school of excellence serving over 300 students.  For the academic year 2011-2012 our students taking national exams have succeeded with a passing rate of 100 percent. Our goals for ENRC are to build a Middle School as well as a High School.

PRODEV's Resolutions for 2013

One of our resolutions for 2013 is to focus on improving the facilities at the Institution Mixte Union des Apôtres, Cite Soleil. 

A new section of the school was built this summer and this year we hope to expand by building a covered communal eating area and a playground. We plan to involve the children and the community in growing a vegetable garden and planting trees to provide shade. The first step will be to build a fence to protect the plants from the goats in the area. 

Students Enjoy Breakfast With Santa

On December 16th, over 200 PRODEV students from Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje and Ecole des Apotres attended a community celebration, Breakfast with Santa, at the Parc de la Canne-a-Sucre. 

Breakfast with Santa is an annual event organized by a group of dynamic women from South Florida. Over 5000 children were in attendance. Entertainment was provided by many well-known Haitian artists, including Raoul Denis Jr. The children were treated to fun games, popcorn, cotton candy and served a great meal by the many volunteers in attendance. Santa Claus finally arrived and offered a present to every child attending the event.

Thanks to Breakfast with Santa Inc., The Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Tourism! 

Watch "IMPASSE PRODEV" - A Video About PRODEV's 2011-2012 School Year

Take some time to watch "IMPASSE PRODEV", a short documentary about our schools, our children and our partners. Please share it with your family and friends. Enjoy!