Despite the number of school locations, many, many children in LaChapelle do not attend school. Their parents simply cannot pay the tuition required. Average unemployment in Haiti is about 70%. In the rural areas like LaChapelle is it even higher. The primary occupation in LaChapelle is agriculture. If a parent is working, perhaps as a laborer during planting or harvesting, his/her salary is about $2/day. It is nearly impossible to send your children to school if this is your income level.
HEPI’s way of supporting education in LaChapelle is our Sponsor a Child Program. HEPI works closesly with a local organization of young men known as OJEM. Beginning in April, OJEM will compile a list of all the children in LaChapelle who will likely not be able to attend school because of the family’s inability to pay tuition. We know there will be hundreds of children on this list. HEPI’s goal is to see every child in LaChapelle in School.