In Génipailler in northern Haiti can be found a Center for Early Childhood (CPE) not like any other because of Quebec inspiration. "Children do not come here to learn to read and write," as is the case elsewhere in the country, says Professor Samuel Pierre of Polytechnique of Montreal, who is behind the project. "It's a place of socialization and empowerment" In addition to sports, music and crafts, children attending the CPE Paul Gérin-Lajoie Genipailler, must take care of a plant they have brought at the beginning of the year to teach them to nourish the plant so that it grows up, to teach them what comes from the trees, to show them that we must not deforest and respect nature.

Four women and two men, all Normaliens, were hired as educators, to whom 2 trainers from Montreal taught the basics of the Quebec CPE system.

The CPE's goal is also to enable low-income families to send their children to an educational environment. It costs 100 gourdes a month, or just under 2 US dollars to send a child. For the moment, the youngest attend the Center only in the morning, but they will soon be there the entire day, when the establishment will be able to serve them a hot meal.

TB/ iciHaiti