March 10, 2008

Reflections on education

Greetings from sunny Haiti,

I’d like to reflect a little on poverty, people development, community development, and education’s role in it all. Without education, there is no development; we develop as we learn.

In the United States, education surrounds us in ways we don’t even notice. Our infants are born into an environment of guided stimulation. There are exceptions, of course, but a vast number of U.S.-born babies are exposed to educational videos, TV, music, books, toys, etc., as parents strive to provide whatever they can to help this little person develop to full potential. Parents want their children to be prepared to grasp the best and most lucrative life when they become adults.

Now turn your thoughts to the teachers we in the States trust to train our children and youth. For instance, there are strict guidelines about qualified teachers. One must be properly trained and preferably experienced before taking the responsibility of training the young and youth. And if a school consistently turns out poorly trained graduates, the teachers are usually held responsible; there is even government intervention in some instances. 

In the United States, the educational system strives to create curricula that turn out graduates who can fill the positions needed in a progressive adult workforce. And as our nation’s technological needs change so does the curriculum. (Think about the “race to the moon” and the resulting increase and focus in science and math in our nation’s schools.)

But think about a United States that has no educational stimulants for infants or children or youth, schools poorly equipped or not equipped at all with books or other materials and where the norm is an untrained, under-educated teacher. Then take away all the results of those past benefits. If you you can imagine this scenario, you can begin to understand the challenges Haiti faces. 

Let me share with you some interesting information I discovered in USAID’s Basic Education Project Design Document Outline. Note on page 9 how PREPEP is a part of addressing these educational needs. Here are a few excerpts from this document.

Stability is critical for Haiti’s advancement but “…large numbers of unemployed and unemployable youth with access to arms … feed the elements of society that undermine stability: gangs, organized crime and political extremists.”

“…investment in education has been shown to contribute significantly to stability.”

“…educational programs allow youth to become constructively engaged in their own futures.”

“…Education and schooling create a mechanism for equity … shared understanding and values.”

“Basic development indicators in Haiti … point to the critical need for an educated populace.” Yet the sad reality is that “…an uneducated populace remains a key obstacle to social and economic development.”

“The teaching force is … inadequately prepared and is a key factor in poor quality instruction” with the reality being that “many teachers have not mastered the competencies they are expected to teach.”

In order for progressive development to happen, the job market to begin to thrive, and poverty to be reduced, an educational strategy must be incorporated. Without an educated population, much-needed employment options will remain virtually nonexistent. Did you realize new businesses don’t locate where there is no existing workforce to meet their needs? Education and training Haiti’s future teachers are critical factors to eradicate poverty and inequality.

Haiti’s educational needs are great and varied. The Episcopal University of Haiti (UNEPH) is a young institution that demonstrates the Episcopal Church’s commitment to meeting needs as it can. Thank you for your part in addressing this very critical need in Haiti: education. Together, with God’s help, we will see a better tomorrow, as Haiti’s youth become better prepared to handle the challenges of the nation.

Family news

We are about to become grandparents for the third time! Our youngest daughter, Debbee and her husband Jason are expecting the birth of their daughter in Luxembourg in April. We praise God for the miracle of new life!

Our oldest daughter, Shelly, and her husband Chad are busily at work with renovations to their home. The pictures show a very classy face-lift with new blue siding. Can’t wait to see it! We praise God for the capacity to work and make changes as we are able.

As many of you remember, my husband Rodney managed a church based program called CODEP for many years. He now manages a program called PREPEP, which allows him to be a part of impacting Haiti nationwide. An article on Relief Web has a recent PREPEP news release. The latest PREPEP newsletter is available on the Web site of the International Organization for Migration.

We praise God for His presence and His provisions!

And we especially praise God for your continued interest in our Haiti happenings. Thank you! May God richly bless your efforts to serve Him!

In Christ,

Sharyn (& Rodney

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 269