In March 2016, while visiting my hometown of Fermathe on the hills of Kenscoff, Haiti, I shared a reflective post in Haitian Creole on Facebook. The post focused on how young Haitians could make the most of the lifelong learning opportunities that exist nowadays.

During that visit, I had several informal conversations with young people who opened up about their professional dreams as well as their hopes for their families, their communities, and the country altogether. They also spoke honestly about the challenges they face — limited financial resources, little access to learning tools, and few connections with Haitian professionals who could guide or inspire them.

What stood out to me most was their eagerness to learn. Many of them were passionate about becoming lifelong learners. That energy gave me hope. It reminded me that the next generation can help move Haiti in a positive direction.

Today, internet access and technology are more available than they were when I lived in Haiti over twenty years ago. Back then, even getting reliable information was a struggle. Now, young people have a much wider world at their fingertips. Still, there’s a lot more work to be done to make sure they have real access to learning opportunities that can shape their future.

Many Haitian youth who finish high school can now speak three languages — French, English, and Spanish — on top of Haitian Creole. And because of travel opportunities to Brazil in recent years, more of them are even learning Portuguese. That’s something to celebrate.

Of course, the cost of formal education and the challenges that come with it are still real obstacles. But today’s generation has more tools, resources, and chances to learn than ever before. The key is for them to reasonably take initiative to the best of their ability. They ought to be curious, resourceful, and proactive about finding ways to grow.

The lack of stable leadership in recent years is a reminder that young Haitians can’t wait for others to create opportunities for them. They must take the lead in shaping their own path toward education and career success.

Who is helping empower students and young professionals in Haiti?

Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow

It’s encouraging to see more young people realizing what it takes to make meaningful change happen. They’re not waiting around for someone else to do it. They’re owning their growth, taking small steps, and staying focused on what they can control.

Here is something that’s easy to say, but not easy to achieve by all of them if they don’t have strong support systems.

Haiti can change if young people change — their mindset, their attitude, their approach, and their strategy for personal growth. Haiti can change if they keep learning how to be better so they can do better.

In reality, they cannot do it alone. If you are reading this and you have any type of ties with Haiti, here is my challenge to you. Haiti can change if you and I are willing to support the youth — to connect with them, mentor them, and guide them in ways that help them succeed.

Wherever we live, Haiti can change if we all:

• Stop waiting for others to do what needs to be done.
• Learn and grow together.
• Make choices that help move the country forward.
• Value and respect one another.
• Care enough to leave our children a Haiti that is better than the one we inherited.

Let me close with this.

“If you think education is too expensive, consider the cost of not having an education. Remember, true education is more than just formal schooling; it means learning something new and useful every day.”

Garry Moïse

Written by Garry Moïse, on March 20, 2019 • Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA

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