Technology Education Program planned for Haiti
Saturday June 20, 2009
Les Cayes, Haiti

The Children Heritage Foundation (tCHF) held its first in a series of Information Day events to promote its Technology Education Program at the American University of the Caribbean (AUC). Welcoming the tCHF Board of Trustees at AUC at the Information Day, Judy Foster, President of AUC, said "This program will provide much-needed opportunity to our students and applicants."

In his opening remarks, Jose Pierre, Executive Director of tCHF said, "The Technology Program represents a key, strategic investment in the education of young Haitians and, as such, will have a marked long-term impact on the well-being of children throughout Haiti." Mr. Pierre, added, "Haiti's economy must foster increased labor productivity through exploiting the benefits of improving technologies. Haiti needs a more adaptable, better skilled, and more literate workforce, which requires a skills upgrade. Haiti needs a great emphasis on technical training strategies."

The event itself was not limited to the promotion of the program. Many potential students were screened in order to determine their proficiency in English and placement when enrolled. There was also marked progress demonstrated in terms of infrastructure--a vital component to the success and the quality of the course of study. "We feel confident that this progress will be maintained and continue to improve in the months to come. Our target is to launch the program in October 2009," said Mr. Pierre

Following the official Information Day, which was attended by over 300 young adults and various officials, the tCHF team ended the trip to Haiti with a meeting with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Her Excellency Michele Duvivier Pierre-Louis, who affirmed her support for the program and its commitment to the future of youths in Haiti.

According to Mr. Pierre, tCHF will now establish a presence in Haiti, and put in place a management structure which will include permenant staff as it plans its first round of activities.

About tCHF
the Children Heritage Foundation is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to the education and development of Haiti youth.
Short-term goal: Tech-school for older teens/young adults.
Mid-term: A broader educational program, working in concert with like-minded programs in the region.
Long-term: A profound change in Haiti to a culture of hope and possibility with work and study options for Haitian youth in Haiti.

tCHF believes that Financial investment needs to be supported by a set of complementary educational strategies in order to sustain economic growth. Funding alone is not sufficient to ensure Haiti can develop its own capacity to participate in the global knowledge economy. AUC, the Host University located in Les Cayes, in Southern Haiti, will become the primary centre for the tCHF sponsored technology program building more effective technology education and skills for youths and young adults. Les Cayes was selected as the location for the Technology Program due to its central location within Southern Haiti and its year-round ease of access by air and road.

Acting as a focal centre for education excellence and technology specialization, the tCHF sponsored Technology Program will deliver a number of important services, including:

• Fund the Technology Program
• An Accredited Curriculum for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) and higher Studies in Technology developed by U.S. Universities
• Technical support and will establish language and technology laboratories at the AUC Campus
• Act as an information-clearing house between University Partners and Haiti hosts and students

tCHF will be autonomous, operating under its own charter and with its own governance structures, while also maintaining strong links with the Academic community and bodies.

For More Information:
Jose Pierre
jose@childrenheritage.com