Jacmel, 18 June 2019
Dear Donors and Friends of FONDOP,
The month of June marks the end of the school year 2018-2019 in Haiti. It is time for us to share with you what we have been able to achieve thanks to your contributions.
Fondation Opportunité has enabled 142 children and young people to pursue their education. Please see the breakdown below:
- 4 started at the preschool level
- 52 attended Primary school, the 6 first grades of their fundamental education.
- 28 continued with the 3rd Cycle corresponding to 7, 8 and 9 grades,
- 33 went to Secondary Schools, equivalent to 10, 11 and 12 grades plus the final year, Philo, toward the national exam that will grant them their Baccalaureate diploma.
- 11 are studying to obtain a university degree in various domains: Nursing, Economics, Management, Education Sciences, etc.
- 14 young people received some technical and professional training in various fields that will allow them to enter the job market (Agricultural Agent, Administrative Assistance, etc.)
- 68% of the 142 beneficiaries are girls and young women.
In addition to helping with the payment of tuition fees described above, FONDOP also provided financial assistance to two (2) students to cover other fees related to their studies, such as purchase of uniforms, books etc.
The foundation also covered the annual contribution of 20 children attending a catholic community school in Lafond. The parents could not afford the $25 requested yearly for the payment of the teachers.
Please refer to the attached table for a summary of our activities for the School Year 2018-2019.
Without your donations, none of this would have been possible and we are so grateful for your help!
Some of you may be aware of the turbulent climate Haiti is once again weathering, driving an already fragile economy to the lowest it’s ever been. Thus, once again, parents will face huge challenges, made even worse this year by the declining economic situation. Without financial
assistance, many children will have to stay home, and some will be forced to interrupt their university studies.
Unfortunately, this worsening situation cumulates with a period during which FONDOP is facing a significant reduction in financial support. In addition to the death of one of our donors, we are no longer receiving our biggest donation since January 2018.
We were faced with the difficult decision to reduce the amount allocated to each student, in order to stay afloat these past two years. Unfortunately, reducing the amount places a burden on the families we serve, since, before their final exams, students will not be admitted in their classrooms when they have an unpaid balance on their tuition. Our children and young adults work so hard, and it is heartbreaking to see them struggle to secure an education and a chance at a better tomorrow.
We know times are hard for everyone, and we wouldn’t dream of asking you to increase your contribution. It is our hope, however, that you will chose to help raise awareness about the work that FONDOP does. Can we count on you to share our story and encourage others to join you in supporting FONDOP? Please feel free to share our website www.fondop.org.
“Many hands make the load lighter!” Thank you for lending yours to FONDOP’s mission! Together we are alleviating the load that parents in underserved communities face regarding their children’s academic future!
Thank you!
Jocelyne Oriol Pierre
President