Each September thousands of Haitian mothers and fathers struggle to find a school for their children, overcoming tremendous hardships as they fight to give their children a chance at education. For 20 years, the St. Luke education program has provided free academic and professional training, school supplies, uniforms, backpacks and meals to more than 16,000 students. Take a look at our 20th anniversary newsletter! (PDF download)
Our Impact
36
schools in Haiti
16,000
students enrolled
70
nursing students graduated
in 2016 (first class)
96%
2018-19 pass rate for seniors
taking Haiti’s national exam
Our Programs
The St. Luke school system began on the streets of Cite Soleil. While Fr. Rick and the St. Luke team conducted medical clinics, they also began to run informal education programs for the children in the area. What started with humble activities aimed at keeping children active and off the streets has grown to be a comprehensive, state-accredited network of schools.
The majority of our 33 primary schools are located in the most challenging and least served areas of Port-au-Prince, while others have been opened in the provinces, including St. Louis du Sud, Camperin, Jacmel, Jeremie, Fonds des Blanc, and Limonade. Partners that enable these schools to thrive include the Andrea Bocelli Foundation; The Francesca Rava Foundation; Pen, Paper and Peace and others.
Our special needs school, St. Joan Margareth, serves 300 children living with vision, hearing, speech, and intellectual disabilities. This school gives children the chance to be educated and valued in a culture that often does the opposite. Learn more about St. Joan Margareth.
The students who graduate from our Port-au-Prince primary schools have the opportunity to attend our trailblazing secondary school, the Academy for Peace and Justice. The Academy is funded and supported by our long-time partners at Artists for Peace and Justice, who are committed to our students for the long haul and we are grateful for their devotion to our students. Learn more about the Academy.
After high school, our St. Luke students, along with members of the local community, can apply to attend our professional school, the St. Luke Polytechnic Institute of Tabarre. The school of Nursing and Medical Technology and school of Science and Technology provide training for students to enter the labor market as skilled professionals. Coursework includes nursing, water sanitation, auto repair, solar energy, and digital media and communications. This school serves over 400 future leaders in their fields and has operated with great support from NPH Germany, ORT and the Dharma Drum Mountain Foundation. Learn more about the Polytechnic Institute.
All of St. Luke’s educational programs have the mission to uplift the most marginalized children, young people and adults in Haitian society. Learn more about our key strategies and objectives.
Our Work in Action: Education
Our Partners
Voices of haiti
The Voices of Haiti choir was inaugurated in January 2016 after the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) began partnering with the St. Luke Foundation’s Education Sector. Children attending our schools within the Port-au-Prince area were invited to audition, with 60 children (ages 9-15) chosen to participate. Each Saturday, the children attend practice with two local Maestros. Since getting to the program can be difficult, St. Luke has created a transport system to get students there and home from neighboring areas, like Cité Soleil, Bon Repo, Kenscoff, Croix-des-Bouquets, etc. The choir has sung not only in Haiti, but at global events, like the United Nations Children’s Convention in 2016, and singing on multiple occasions with Maestro Bocelli in New York and in Italy for the Pope! Traveling gives the children a chance to sightsee, learn about the area, and share music and culture with other students their age. The vision for Voices of Haiti is to use music to empower children living in dire situations, encouraging discipline, perseverance, and commitment. In addition, music and the arts are powerful modes of expression, and have the ability to free people. Through music, we hope the children will be empowered to change their lives, bringing music, life, and beauty to Haiti and the world.
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