Resilience in the Mountains

In the heart of Haiti’s mountain region, the Degeance School stands as a powerful testament to the community’s spirit. While the headlines often focus on the turmoil in the lowlands, the story of Degeance is one of quiet, stubborn hope and the unwavering pursuit of education.

A Foundation of Consistency

Despite the immense pressures facing the nation, Degeance is holding its own. The school’s stability is built on a simple but profound commitment: the teachers always show up. This reliability has fostered deep trust, with both parents and students continuing to rally behind the school as their most vital community pillar.

Growing to Meet the Need

The community has long dreamed of a permanent, robust structure for their children. That need has now become a mandate. The Department of Education has officially notified us that Degeance must expand to cover everything from preschool through 9th grade.

This is a significant milestone, but also a challenge. Transitioning to a full fundamental school requires more space, more resources, and a continued long-term investment in the physical campus.

Courage Amidst the Chaos

It is impossible to ignore the shadow cast by gang activities in the surrounding areas. The instability has taken a devastating toll:

• Mental and Physical Strain: Both students and parents carry the weight of the ongoing unrest.
• Profound Loss: Some families in our community have had their homes destroyed, lost all their possessions, or are grieving the loss of loved ones.

However, the school has become a literal and figurative fortress of peace. We recently completed a high-quality perimeter fence. This barrier does more than mark property lines; it creates an atmosphere of security where children can feel safe to learn.

Leadership That Inspires

The true heartbeat of the school is its Principal, whose courage has kept the doors open when others might have bolted them shut. Because the majority of our staff and students live in the mountains, they are able to look down at the “problems downhill” and choose a different path. They choose to function, to teach, and to learn—no matter what.