Scholarships
St. Paul's School in Haiti & The Episcopal Church in Colorado
Locally Haiti has been partnering with St. Paul’s Episcopal School and Parish since 1989. Founded by three Episcopal priests, Father Dayle Casey, Father Ed Morgan, and Father Octave Lafontant, the relationship between St. Paul’s and Locally Haiti is deeply rooted in shared history, faith, and the conviction that when Haitian leaders are given resources to thrive, they can achieve progress for their communities. Over 31 years of progress, the Episcopal Church in Colorado has been a steadfast partner and an extended family to St. Paul’s. Over 20 parishes have sent teams to Haiti during that time, and many support the school operations financially.
Konbit: Student Scholarship Program
Konbit, a Haitian Kreyol word, refers to a traditional, cooperative practice in rural Haiti wherein community members work together, sharing whatever they can, for the greater good. While it originated in cooperative agricultural practices, it has come to represent shared sacrifices and community contributions of all kinds. The leadership at St. Paul's School relies on the support of the Konbit Scholarship Program to keep teachers teaching and students learning. The cost of funding one student for one year through the Konbit Scholarship Program is $350 dollars. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like support in organizing a campaign at your parish to sponsor St. Paul's students!
In Students’ Own Words
At St. Paul's School they have a good education system and good teachers. When I graduate from high school, I would love to be an agricultural educator to help this community more, and I would like my youngest brother to become an engineer, God willing!
- Michley, 6th Grade Student
School is good for everyone and school is the key of life. The St. Paul's community is important because neighbors like to share mango and avocado with each other and anything else that they have.
- Chrislove, 2nd Grade Student
Partnership Highlights
Agriculture & Creation Care
Supporting healthy local food systems is an essential part of our strategy to support families, students, and leaders in our sister community of Petit Trou de Nippes. At St. Paul’s School, agriculture and a focus on creation care and the environment are key components of the curriculum and the way we engage families. Students participate in environmental awareness courses and garden clubs, and together with their families, they are supported in gardening and tree planting efforts at home.
Girls' Empowerment & Mentoring
Through a partnership with expert Haitian partner, Repanse Pouvwa (Rethink Power), Locally Haiti supports dedicated programming at St. Paul’s School and other community schools with the goal of empowering girls and women, challenging counterproductive and troubling gender norms, and emphasizing the equal rights of girls and women.
Solar Power
In the spring of 2020, thanks in large part to the parishes of the Episcopal Church in Colorado, Locally Haiti funded the installation of a solar micro-grid on the campus of St. Paul’s School and Parish. In addition, 8 local students were provided intensive education on solar engineering, installation, and maintenance. This project has brought new knowledge to Petit Trou, cut diesel costs at St. Paul’s School, and provided a cleaner and more environmentally friendly solution to powering progress on campus.
30+ Years of Konbit Partnership
Click here to download this information as a PDF. Interested in learning more or getting involved in the Konbit Scholarship Program? Please contact Wynn Walent at wynn@locallyhait.org.