A Break in the Clouds: Back to School at St. Paul’s School
Last week, Hurricane Melissa caused damage across the south of Haiti. While tragic losses occurred in other communities, our partners and friends in Petit Trou are safe and sound and we are grateful to report that there was no loss of life. Due to persistent rains and standing water in the courtyard, St. Paul’s School was forced to close for several days, but as of this week, school is back in session. The Petit Trou Community Hospital was also thankfully undamaged.
At present, there are 600 students registered from Pre-K to 12th grade at St. Paul’s. The school leadership team expects this number to rise in the coming weeks. Many of the students and families have been a part of the St. Paul’s community for years, but Guilot Tibert, campus administrator, reports that there are many students new to Petit Trou, having left the violence of Port-au-Prince to live with extended family in the region.
One such student at St. Paul’s, Djenica, is an 11th grader who recently moved to Petit Trou. She was forced to flee her home in Carrefour, a particularly fraught area of Haiti’s capital.
“I really appreciate St. Paul’s School for making the transition into Petit Trou a smooth one. The teachers and students have helped me create a new community that is incredibly welcoming. It also helps that Petit Trou is where my family was born which has helped me adapt to my new home.”
Guilot reported that despite the many challenges, there was real hope and optimism as the year began. Following the short break caused by the rains of Hurricane Melissa, the students and staff are thrilled to be back in session every morning. In a country facing uncertainty and in a community striving for progress, the simple act of gathering around the flag each morning can feel like an important pillar of stability and hope.
In addition to the excitement found in the voices of the students, there’s another important sound on campus. The sound of building - a new bathroom facility to serve the growing campus.
“I am thrilled to see the progress every day at St. Pauls- from bathroom construction to the growing student body. I am excited to keep educating at St. Paul's so students here can enjoy their childhood - to have fun, learn, and play.”
An updated bathroom facility is essential as the student population grows. We hope to continue to upgrade other facilities over time, but the bathroom was truly urgent. Research has shown that girls and young women are more likely to leave school when access to functional, gendered bathrooms are lacking in low-middle income countries such as Haiti (Psaki et al., 2022). Natalia, a girls’ empowerment mentor and teacher, shared:
“There is so much hope and excitement around the bathroom construction project. For me, this project is incredibly important as I work directly with the Kindergarten program, where access to updated bathrooms is so key for the littlest students. I can’t wait to see the new facilities be finished.”
In a time of turbulence for Haiti, the start of the school year is an important sign of hope, stability, and progress. There are plenty of challenges for families and friends in Haiti but at St. Paul’s School this week, our community members are happy to enjoy some sunshine, smiles, and a break in the clouds.
