news & updates
✨ The journey begins! Watch the Sun Bridge Program inauguration at Hogar Enmanuel, where we’re empowering youth and bridging the gap to a brighter future. Together, we create opportunities for growth, learning, and success. 🌟
November 2024
🎉 A New Chapter for Hogar Enmanuel!
We are excited to announce the inauguration of our new educational project, a space designed to provide a safe and enriching environment for the children and youth of Hogar Enmanuel. This milestone includes the opening of the Transition Office, thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Cité Soleil Foundation, helping young residents integrate into the community when they turn 18.
The event was filled with joy, gratitude, and commitment from volunteers, sponsors, and community members, all united in building a brighter future for our children.
November 2024
Milestone Achieved – [Backdated: 2017] 🎉
In 2017, we hosted the official inauguration of the Foyer Culturel du Mexique in Cité Soleil! After years of perseverance, this brand-new school building became a reality, featuring 18 classrooms, a basketball court, a cafeteria, and modern facilities to provide students with a safe and supportive learning environment.
The devastating 2010 earthquake destroyed the school, but thanks to the generosity of the Carlos Slim Foundation, in partnership with the Happy Hearts Fund and under the supervision of the Digicel Foundation, reconstruction efforts were successfully completed.
Originally founded as Foyer Culturel St. Vincent de Paul, this institution has been a beacon of education in Cité Soleil since 1979, shaping the lives of over 50,000 students despite numerous challenges. With this new facility, students like Fabienne Joseph (7th grade) are optimistic about the future: “I hope it will help us progress in our learning!”
A heartfelt thank you to all who made this possible—partners, educators, parents, and the entire community. This isn’t just a school; it’s a symbol of resilience, hope, and opportunity for Haiti’s youth.
2023: Happy International Women’s Day!
To celebrate our girls, here are some recent photos of our students laughing & enjoying their time at school!
Some facts about Haitian women:
—Women (ages 15+) in Haiti have a 58% literacy rate, compared to 65% for men.
—Many courageous women played a vital role in the Haitian Revolution, including Suzanne Béliar and Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére (more below).
—In our Cite Soleil school, we have 1.2x more female students than male.
Check out this illustrated bio book featuring 10 women who participated in the fight against colonizers and slavers during the Haitian Revolution, written by Professor Bayyinah Bello, a Haitian historian!
January 2023
The students of Foyer Culturel Saint Vincent de Paul gathered for the first day of school in 2023. Despite ongoing unrest, our school remains open and functional, dedicated to providing education through the good and bad.
The World Bank Press Release: PARSA in Haiti
The World Bank Approves Additional Support to Improve Haiti’s Food Security. According to the World Food Program (WFP), 22 percent of Haitian children are chronically malnourished.
