By: Jean-Marie Florestal
In the days following the August 14th, 2021 Earthquake that hit the Southern peninsula of Haïti, the population slept outside overnight and spent most of their daytime outdoors, for fear of being crushed inside their homes. When schools reopened a couple of months later, the children started to exhibit anxiety and fear in their classrooms.
Alarmed by the students’ reactions, the teachers contacted the schools’ directors. Because the Department of Education did not have any program to deal with psychological issues in schools in Port-a-Piment, the issue was reported to the President of KPP, Mr. Frantz Jean. He convened a Board of Directors’ meeting and took action to facilitate the training of the faculty at the schools to help the students and themselves. The Psychologists were contracted and provided a training program for the schools’ faculty. All Teachers and Directors of Schools of the commune were invited. Together, there are 17 schools and 167 Teachers and Directors.
. The seminar took place in Port-à-Piment from Monday, January 3rd to Friday, January 7th, 2022. It was planned and funded by Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc. (KPP), while on-the-ground logistics and organization were made possible by KPP Haïti Board Secretary, Mrs. Paule-Edeline J. Orcel, and other local KPP members. Two Psychologists from Les Cayes, were hired by KPP to train the schools’ faculty. They were Ezéquiel Beaubrun and Berthony Jean Felix.
To allow participation by all, trainees were divided in groups of three to four schools attending two half a day training sessions. The sessions included training in identifying symptoms of stress in adults and students, providing counseling, and activating prevention protocols. Among some of the symptoms of stress discussed were students’ failing performance, absenteeism, violence at home and on school grounds, difficulty in concentrating in class, low self-esteem, etc. Lectures were followed by group sessions in which the faculty was able to demonstrate their understanding of the material learned and to interact with the Psychologists.
The sessions were interrupted by breaks for breakfast and lunch provided by KPP. At the end of each day, the Psychologists asked the attendees to complete an assessment form regarding their performance.
The seminar had a resounding success in terms of reception by the participants. According to Mrs. Orcel, though the daily sessions lasted until 5:00 to 6:00 pm, participants remained in attention until the end. At the end of the seminar, the participants were elated by the knowledge acquired and expressed gratitude to KPP for making this unique opportunity available to them.
“Great job, KPP, for promoting the importance of Education by providing Psychological Counseling to educators in Port-à-Piment (P-à-P). This seminar will equip these educators with the tools they need to help themselves and students to cope with some problems they are facing. “
Those words were from KPP Board Member, Joseph Anselme, on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, after getting feedback from teachers and directors of schools in Port-a-Piment.
The success of this initiative also led to those encouraging words by KPP Board member, Dr. Marilys Randolph, who played a no less important role in making it happen: “We must say that KPP may be the first organization of our size to bring this important intervention for this community. Let us continue this holistic approach to empower those in need…”
KPP takes this opportunity to thank its donors especially the Servants of Friends organization, Mrs. Valérie Sinady and her Facebook friends. Their generosity and compassion made a difference in the lives of people who badly need assistance.
This report was written by Jean-Marie Florestal, who is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Konbit Pou Potapiman Inc.
Photos: Jonel Musac
