Education is essential to Haiti’s future growth and prosperity, paving the way for the next generation of Haitian engineers and doctors, teachers and other professionals. Today, however, with more than 1,250 schools destroyed and another 2,000-plus damaged, 1.5 million Haitian schoolchildren are out in the streets and fields, not preparing for their futures in a safe, nurturing classroom environment.

Recognizing the fundamental importance of Haiti’s education system, Employ Haiti has made clearing the rubble at school sites the organization’s first priority, providing meaningful work, wages and training to local workers.

After the rubble is cleared, Employ Haiti will be partnering with and mentoring Haitian construction companies to rebuild destroyed or damaged schools all across Haiti. This will not only benefit Haiti’s students and future professionals but will also provide valuable experience to construction companies and individual workers.

In coordination with Haitian architects, Employ Haiti is ensuring that the new school buildings are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and engineered to international seismic standards. Children and parents must be reassured that the new schools are safe, and Employ Haiti and our partners are committed to providing that reassurance.

The schools Employ Haiti will be constructing cost $30,000 to $85,000, depending on the size. The organization’s unique construction system—developed in part during past projects in Iraq and post-Katrina Mississippi — will provide safe, modular school buildings from start to finish in just three weeks. If you’re interested in working with Employ Haiti or helping us make a difference on behalf of the Haitian people, please contact us at info@employhaiti.org.