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** Important: Challenges at Choix **<br /> We always strive to provide context for our Haitian environment whenever we share news reports. We only can offer those reports based on our experiences and those of our community. We share challenges and also the positive, good news of working in Haiti. We are committed to overcoming the challenges and persevering. We are #ChoixStrong. But these past few days have been rough on us and our graduates. Let us explain.<br /> Local public school students, who have not had teachers in their classrooms over the past few months, nor supplies or power, mounted protests. Unfortunately, they invaded and attacked several local private schools where our Choix grads are enrolled, and some student protesters carried wooden clubs, ropes and even firearms. The assaults were violent and our students were scared, “I was very afraid, I was crying because people cannot live in a situation like this. I was afraid they were going to hurt my little brother.” These are our students, we had to do something. We immediately deployed Choix staff on our school bus to retrieve our Choix alumni. Ione was on the phone with the grads at the very moment that the thick metal barriers of their school were kicked down and their classrooms flooded with protesters. Though the roads were blocked, the bus made it through and finally, we were able to bring those grads back home to Choix.<br /> Amidst the melée, sadly two of our students were injured. “There were burning tires in front of the school when we arrived but we thought it was okay to go in. We were in class and working very well. Then the rocks and bottles started flying all around. I was pushed down and everybody was yelling.” “I had gone to the bathroom at the time the rock hit me. It hurt me a lot. I was so happy to see people I knew on the Choix bus and I ran.” Neither injury is serious, physically, but these altercations, and the entire experience, have caused alarming and profound distress to our students and to all of those involved. <br /> While we are relieved to have been able to reach these students before any further harm was inflicted, and to be able to provide a haven for them during this time of tumult, their sense of safety on their own school campuses has been violated and betrayed. They feel vulnerable, exposed and threatened by people they perceived as their peers, while at the same time they feel a deep sense of sympathy for the students that inflicted the harm upon them, though it created a dangerous situation for all those involved. “I feel bad for them because I know they are not bad, they just want the same thing some of us have. I want good schools for everybody. Everybody needs teachers.” Along with sympathy came a multitude of emotions and reflections to filter through, all of them valid and significant to the reality of our community. “I was not happy they broke my school and I had to go home. I wanted to be in school today.” <br /> Truly, it is a testament to the courage and determination of our Choix staff, students and graduates that Choix is the safe home that it represents today. It is that same courage and determination of this generation and those who follow it that will create true and lasting change for Haiti and her future. <br /> Here is a photo of some our Choix grads the next day. #ChoixStrong #InvestInEducation <br /> Feel free to contribute to our students' education experience at https://gift.schoolofchoice.org.
The Choix students, staff and community wish a Happy Chanukah to those who celebrate today and this week.
Our Choix alumnae, learning a song (makes the strategies easier to remember!)
Maudeline, our Kitchen and Meals Director, and also Chair of our Volunteer Parent Committee
Our Choix Alumnae in the practice sessions.
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