Pictured: 8th Grade Class in Williamson, Haiti
Have you ever wondered what a typical school day looks like in Haiti? Are you curious what your sponsored student is learning? Would you like to know what their classroom looks like and how many other students are in their class?
The photo above is our 8th grade class at the World Wide Village school in Williamson. They say that a photo speaks a thousand words and it’s so true. There is so much you can learn about your sponsored student from this simple photo.
- All students in Haiti wear school uniforms. Students at each grade level wear different types and colors of uniform. This is a long-standing tradition for schools in Haiti. The students look so sharp in their neatly pressed uniforms!
- Students sit at wooden desks and teachers use chalk boards to teach at the front of the classroom. As you can see, the desks are more crowded than what we might be used to in the United States, but this is how more and more children are able to have an education in rural parts of Haiti.
- The classroom buildings are made with concrete blocks – very typical for buildings in Haiti. The open-style windows are terrific for air flow, but also allow dust in during the dry seasons.
- Unlike schools in the U.S., there is a wide range of ages in each classroom. The 8th grade class in Williamson has students ranging in age from 14-22. This wide age range is due to the inability of many families in Haiti to send their children to school full-time without the help of sponsorship. Many children will attend school one year, but stay home the following year while their family saves enough money to pay tuition for the next school year. We value those students who have persevered in continuing in school even with these financial difficulties, but how much better to be blessed with a sponsorship and be able to continue in school regardless of family financial stability! You can read more on a recent study by the World Bank on the benefits of sponsorship HERE.
Above you can see the class schedule for 8th grade students in Williamson. Take special note that the 8th graders now have a class on technology! Students are learning to use laptops and other forms of technology as it becomes more available in Haiti. The students are also learning two languages – Spanish (spoken by the majority of people in the neighboring Dominican Republic) and English.
Also notice that each day begins with a Flag Ceremony. The Haitian flag is a symbol of pride for the Haitians and they celebrate their country with the raising of the flag each morning. The students are also led in daily prayers and receive two hours of Christian education taught by Pastor Joassaint each week.
The students also enjoy recess – a time to stretch their legs in between classes. Similar to recess in the United States, the younger students play tag and climb on the equipment while the older students meet up to talk with friends. Notice how many of the children are congregating in the shade. Haiti can be scorchingly hot some months!
Pictured: Students at recess and the flag in the school yard
There are currently 35 students in 8th grade in Williamson. Thanks to you, these children are learning and growing under Pastor Joassaint’s care in the World Wide Village school. We can’t tell you enough what a difference your sponsorship is making in the life of your student. For many of these kids it’s the difference between having the opportunity for an education and a brighter future or being stuck in a cycle of illiteracy and poverty. THANK YOU.
As you’re praying for your own sponsored student, please also pray for these students who do not yet have a sponsor. Would you consider taking just a moment to share this opportunity with friends and family or share on Facebook? Ultimately our desire is to have every student sponsored. Could you help us reach this goal? Thank you again for giving selflessly for these children. We really do appreciate your faithfulness in giving and so does your student…probably more than you know…
www.worldwidevillage.org/student-sponsorships
