The Digicel Haiti Foundation has fulfilled a promise to that country by building 20 primary schools in its first 12 months of operation.
According to a press release two fully furnished schools were built in each district. They are staffed with trained teachers and can provide education to more than 7,000 Haitian children.
Denis O’Brien patron and Chairman of the Digicel Group officially marked the occasion by opening the Ecole St Patrick primary school for 300 children in the poverty-stricken neighbourhood Cite Soleil.
In his address O’Brien said he hopes building the schools “will have a tremendous role in uplifting community spirit and inspiring new hope for children who are ultimately the future of Haiti.” The Foundation “is determined to make a difference and play a positive role in people’s lives,” he added.
The Foundation has worked with the Ministry for National Education and partner NGOs including Food for the Poor, Catholic Relief Services, USAID and the World Food Programme, to implement a food programme which provides each child with hot daily meals. The collaboration also provides a teacher training programme to ensure each child has access to a quality education. “Partnerships are a key contributor to the success and sustainability” of the Foundation, O’Brien said.
The Foundation was established last March and it will continue to dedicate itself to developing education in Haiti.
