Today's students are tomorrow's future
Cassandre Regnier, from our partner in Haiti, on education as a way out of the country’s crisis
My name is Cassandre Regnier, and I work for Mary’s Meals’ partner in Haiti. Our mission at Summits Education is to increase access to quality education, and we believe the Mary’s Meals school feeding programme is crucial in helping children, not only to attend school, but stay engaged in their learning.
As you may have seen in the news, the current situation in Haiti is deeply alarming. In recent years, gang activity has surged, and these groups have extended their control over vast areas. We are now, sadly, living in what can best be described as a largely lawless society. Fear has gripped our communities, and tragically, around five children lose their lives each week due to inter-gang violence.
This violence has also led to widespread food shortages, as gangs have taken control of major ports, severely disrupting the flow of goods. As a result, poverty is escalating, and nearly half the population (49%) is undernourished.
Even the simple act of attending school has become dangerous. Many families are now questioning the value of education when the future seems so uncertain. However, I firmly believe that education is the only path out of this crisis. This is why the work of Mary’s Meals is so vital in Haiti.
When schools begin serving Mary’s Meals, enrolment increases as children, who might otherwise be searching for food or working, are drawn to the promise of a daily meal. I’ve seen first-hand how classrooms come alive with energy once these meals are introduced. The students are more engaged and enthusiastic – a stark contrast to how things were before the programme began.
At this challenging time, children and their families rely on these meals more than ever. For many families, knowing their child will receive a meal at school brings immense relief, as it is often the only meal they will have in a day.
Today’s students are Haiti’s future. The more access they have to education, the better equipped they will be to lead the country to a brighter tomorrow. Though it can be difficult to remain hopeful in the face of such adversity, the impact of our work is a constant source of motivation. We see how education transforms lives, families, and entire communities. It is only through the education of a new generation that Haiti can emerge from this crisis.
Haiti is in desperate need, but through the Mary’s Meals programme and our partnership, we believe there is a path forward. By providing reliable meals to children, we are giving them the opportunity to build a brighter future for themselves and their country.
Billy's story
Billy is a student at Cholete Primary School in Haiti. Every morning, his mother, Dieulene, watches him proudly as he sets off down the dirt road towards school.
A few years ago, his potential for a bright future looked like it may be lost forever when he became unwell. Ill health and poverty often go hand in hand in Haiti, where resources are stretched. After feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen, his parents suddenly had to find money for two emergency surgeries.
Then, tragedy struck, when Billy’s father passed away. Dieulene, like so many parents in Haiti, no longer had any certainty that she could put food on the table. Like all children, Billy needed food to focus on his studies, but for his health, he desperately needed good nutrition.
Fortunately, Billy’s school is part of the Mary’s Meals feeding programme so Billy gets a reliable, nutritious meal every school day. Today, Billy is healthy and at the top of his class – he is defying the odds that face so many of his peers.
His mother says: "He knew that he would get a meal at school. Having daily meals at Cholete has helped motivate the community to make sure all kids are in school."
Now more than ever, with the violence in Haiti at a crisis level, children like Billy are relying on our school meals to keep them in education.
Billy has a simple explanation for the difference a daily meal makes. He says: "It keeps me from being hungry. And it is much easier to follow the teacher and be active in class."
