At Anseye Pou Ayiti (APA), our commitment to quality education goes beyond traditional teaching and learning. We aim to provide a holistic learning environment that equips learners with a wide range of skills that help them grow, develop stronger community ties, and foster a deeper understanding of societal values.

As we approach a new academic year, we take a moment to share several innovative projects initiated by our teacher leaders and student leaders during the 2023-2024 academic year. These projects reflect the spirit of innovation and community engagement that is at the heart of APA’s mission.

At Enfants Jésus school in Ench, teacher leader Mathermy Eumanison Domond introduced a hands-on learning project for 4th grade students. His goal for the year was to teach student leaders how to produce detergent products. From liquid soap to bleach, the project provided hands-on experience in creating essential household products.

The project not only engaged students in practical skills but also encouraged financial literacy as they created budgets and managed funds for the materials. They also listed and sourced necessary materials, and appointed a cash management manager to oversee the collected dues for the project.The students embraced the project with enthusiasm and the results have been impressive: each student now knows how to make these products. The school's management and parents greatly appreciated this initiative.

Teacher leader, Jaquis Augustin, at Nouvelle Orientation school embarked on a culinary journey with his 5th-grade students. He decided at the beginning of the year to experiment with all the food recipes found in the class's Creole textbook throughout the year. Each cooking session involved students in planning, sourcing ingredients, and preparing dishes, making learning both fun and practical. They divided tasks, assigned ingredients, and worked together to ensure the success of each culinary experiment. This project successfully connected classroom lessons with real-life skills, developing a deeper engagement with their cultural heritage through exploring Haitian cuisine. One of the highlights was when they prepared traditional fried breadfruit balls. The enthusiasm and involvement of the students made this initiative a success. The photos shared capture the joy and teamwork of the students as they engaged in this hands-on, flavorful learning experience.

In her first year, teacher leader Ysmonde Obas from La Pléiade School in Kanj, faced difficulties due to a lack of suitable teaching resources. Determined to solve this problem, she set a goal in her second year to create educational boards with the help of her students. By engaging her 3rd grade students in designing and creating these educational tools, she turned a challenge into an opportunity for student involvement and creativity. Students actively participated by bringing materials such as bristol boards, colored pencils, and sheets of paper to create visual aids that enhance lesson delivery. The colorful and functional boards, crafted with input from the learners, have significantly enhanced the classroom environment. This collaborative effort highlights the innovative spirit of APA teacher leaders and their commitment to enhancing the learning environment.

At the beginning of the academic year, the student leaders in teacher leader, Marcdala's, class brainstormed ideas to leave a lasting mark on their classroom. Under the guidance of their teacher leader, this 3rd grade class at La Sagesse school undertook an ambitious project to remodel their classroom. They identified areas for improvement, including repairing damaged parts and repainting the classroom. Despite the challenge of raising sufficient funds, the students successfully repaired and painted their classroom, transforming it into a more conducive learning space. The students' participation in the project was a true "konbit" spirit, with everyone contributing to the effort and taking on tasks such as mixing mortar and painting. This initiative demonstrates the power of collective action and the impact of student-led projects in fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

In the Ench community, the classes of teacher leaders Widelande, Edjeevensky, and Wilfidson faced a common challenge: the sun's glare often prevented students from seeing the board. The teachers and students decided to solve this problem together by raising funds to buy curtains for their classrooms. They conducted a successful fundraising campaign, purchased the necessary curtains, and installed them to block the sun's rays. This collective action not only solved an immediate problem but also demonstrated the power of community-driven solutions. This collective effort has significantly improved the learning environment, allowing students to focus on their lessons without distraction. This collaborative effort showcases how small changes can have a big impact on the learning environment.

These inspiring projects demonstrate the power of community, creativity, and collaboration in achieving educational goals. At APA, we celebrate our teacher leaders and student leaders for their innovative approaches to overcoming challenges and enriching the learning experience. Their initiatives reflect our mission to transform Haiti’s education system by equipping generations of Haitians with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed to achieve their full potential.

As we continue to support and celebrate these efforts, we remain committed to fostering an education system rooted in Haitian history, culture, and identity. Together, we are building a brighter future for Haiti, one classroom at a time.