K-12 Virtual School Initiative

The church is facing a daunting task of providing education and feeding 60 underprivileged children whose parents cannot afford to send them to school in Haiti. The church's income from tithing is meager, and they rely on donations to feed the children, which only happens once or twice a week. For most of these children, this is the only meal they get. Haiti has over 2.5 million people living below the poverty line, and the situation has worsened with the collapse of institutions and the rise of armed gangs, kidnapping both the rich and poor, and terrorizing the population.

Paying teachers is another challenge, and they only receive a stipend when there is a donation. The youth lack opportunities to upskill and reskill due to the absence of electricity and reliable access to computers and the internet, which is a luxury in Haiti. The education system also has its problems, including teaching students in French, a language not spoken at home, and preparing students to become employees rather than promoting community success.

Overall, the church faces enormous challenges, including providing education, feeding the children, and dealing with the broader societal issues in Haiti. Without significant assistance, these problems will continue to be a challenge for the church, and more must be done to support education and community development in the country.

LEVE INTERNATIONAL aims to make a sustainable and impactful change in the lives of kids in Pommier by incorporating a digital infrastructure with internet, solar energy, and computers. Since the church already has a facility, there is no need to pay rent. This will allow teachers around the world to participate in educating these children, including teaching them English to take advantage of free resources available online. The homeschool model will be used to provide a US-quality education to these children, and teachers will receive pedagogic training from renowned US educators.

LEVE INTERNATIONAL also emphasizes sustainability and plans to replicate the success of the restaurant business in Hinche to the local church in Pommier to generate revenue. Additionally, the church will be able to earn revenue by charging cell phones and offering English and technology courses. The local church will engage parents as volunteers to clean the school, help prepare meals, and implement community projects such as regenerative chicken farming for egg production.

Overall, the initiative aims to provide a sustainable and impactful education to children in Pommier while also generating revenue for the local church and engaging the community in sustainable projects.

The current education system needs to be reimagined to remove barriers preventing students from becoming highly effective citizens dedicated to collective success, good citizenship, and helping their community and country succeed. However, the current educational system is not cost-effective. In Haiti, materials taught are not recorded, preventing students from accessing previous lessons if they miss class or do not grasp a particular concept. Additionally, courses are taught in French, which the majority of Haitians do not master. This requires students to spend years only trying to understand, write, and speak French while also trying to master the concepts being taught. English represents a huge opportunity for these kids, especially in a world where anyone with access to a computer and the skills to work online can work from anywhere. The current educational system does not prepare students to become collective entrepreneurs, and there is not enough leadership and teamwork development, leaving students without the soft skills they need to succeed in life, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, emotion control, team dynamics, strategic planning, project management skills, etc. Around 80% of competencies taught in school are not used in the workplace.

LEVE INTERNATIONAL have a plan to establish a digital environment and provide pedagogical support for local teachers in Haiti, as well as provide instructions in English to model some of the K-12 education system used in the US. You also plan to create a sustainable program by creating business opportunities for the school to generate revenue.

Here are some suggestions for each phase of your plan:

Phase 1:

• In addition to installing a solar system, consider using energy-efficient lighting and appliances to minimize energy consumption.
• When choosing laptops and a projection system, consider their durability and suitability for the local environment.
• Ensure that there is adequate training and support for teachers and students to effectively use the digital tools.

Phase 2:

• When recruiting educators, consider their qualifications and experience, as well as their ability to adapt to a new environment.
• Work with local education officials and community leaders to develop an educational policy that aligns with local needs and priorities.
• Provide ongoing support and training for local teachers to ensure they are able to effectively implement the new educational policy and use the digital tools.

Phase 3:

• When selecting an online home schooling system, consider its curriculum, teaching methods, and suitability for the local context.
• Provide support for local teachers to effectively use the online system and integrate it with their own teaching methods.
• Ensure that students have access to learning materials in both English and Creole.

Phase 4:

• Conduct market research to identify potential customers and competition for the restaurant and cell phone charging services.
• Develop a business plan that includes details such as pricing, staffing, and marketing strategies.
• Consider partnering with local organizations or businesses to support the chicken farming prototype and ensure its long-term sustainability.

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths:

• The program is situated in a safe church building environment, which eliminates the need to pay for rent, reducing operational costs.
• The program has the support of the pastor and church community, providing a strong foundation for success.
• The church has a large pool of former members living abroad who can serve as potential donors or volunteers.
• The program has a plan for sustainability.
• The program aims to educate children not just for individual success, but also for community success and to become business leaders in collaboration with partners.
• The program uses high-quality US-based educational materials, making it possible to scale the project in other churches and areas of the country.

Opportunities:

• The program has the opportunity to make significant changes to the current education system in Haiti by focusing on practical-based learning, teaching social-emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship.
• The program has the potential to inspire and equip children to become successful entrepreneurs and leaders.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of funding is a significant challenge that may affect the success of the program.
• Lack of engagement from the Haitian diaspora and former church members in the US may limit the pool of potential donors or volunteers.
• The churches in the US may not be united in supporting this vision, making it difficult to scale up.
• The local project team's leadership in the church may not be developed, causing gaps in communication and strategic direction.

Threats:

• Insecurity and violence may pose a threat to the safety of the program's participants and may hinder the program's success.