[Posted by Lydia Turkaly]

Since I am a teacher by profession, I was particularly interested in talking with the teachers of Holy Family School.  I had an extended conversation with one teacher, Madame Alina Jean Joseph who teaches preschool which is equivalent to our kindergarten.  She is 38 years old and has 76 students in her class this year. She has no aides or helpers.  She enjoys her students and told me that they are very interested in learning and are very well-behaved.

Her greatest frustration is the lack of materials for her many students.  They lack basic materials such as paper, crayons, markers, scissors, and other common classroom teaching aides.  The classroom is also very small for so many students.

Parents stop by weekly to get updates on their child’s progress.  However, many parents are unable to help their children at home as they are uneducated themselves.  Many students arrive at school hungry and leave hungry because there is no school lunch program.  It is hard for them to stay focused when they are hungry.

Pay for teachers in Haiti is very low, about $110.00 per month. Teachers have no benefits or sick days.  If a teacher is sick he or she must find a replacement and pay them for the day’s work.  Teachers may arrive at school hungry with nothing or little to eat.  It is hard to get by on such a low wage. When I asked her about the future, she told me that she would love the opportunity for additional training.  She is eager to continue her education and improve her living conditions.

Alina with her husband and three of their four children