Our Programs
Education Program
Core Mission: Education: KCH Kids Connection Haiti offers high school, trade school or university to at-risk young adults. Our graduation rate is 99%. Together with the students, we create a realistic career plans considering immediate needs, academic skills, circumstances, and interests.
Life Skills, Women’s Empowerment and Career Development Workshops: Growing up without parents or in unstable family situations, our students learn life skills that they might not have learned at home. In their last year, students in their last year participate in career development training to increase the chance to find their chances at finding employment. Our girls participate in “No means No” training, menstrual health education, and International Women’s Day
The Lourdia Exavier Memorial Health Fund
The need for medical support is more urgent than ever in Haiti, a country with a weak health care system and where 58.5% of the people lives in poverty. Poor people have no access to health care, and COVID-19 has added an additional threat to these already vulnerable communities. Social distancing is impossible in Haiti’s overcrowded neighborhoods. Running water is scarce. Many people will not find medical help until it is too late.
The Lourdia Exavier Memorial Health Fund was created in loving memory of our student Lourdia who passed away on March 25, 2020. By honoring Lourdia, we hope that her dedication to serve others continues to be an inspiration to us all.
Two nurses (both former KCH students) and one physician are monitoring our students’ health. They assess underlying health issues, provide medication and food supplements if necessary and educate them at our health workshops. Annual physical- and dental exams are provided to all students, as well as a weekly clinic.
Lourdia’s Story
After spending her entire youth at an orphanage, Lourdia entered KCH to study international diplomacy. She was a happy and brilliant student. She graduated and found an internship with the UN in New York, our first and only student to go abroad.
As a professional young woman, Lourdia always helped out wherever she could. She was a ray of sunshine, a gentle and wise soul. Lourdia died from Sickle Cell Anemia, a genetic blood disorder. There is no known cure for sickle cell, however with access to medical services, the painful symptoms and complications could have been managed/reduced.
Our sadness and shock at Lourdia’s sudden death prompted the idea to start a health program for our students who have no access to the medical system in Haiti.
Our Services
Community Service
Our students’ favorite!
Mandatory for everyone, community service greatly enhances self-esteem, group bonding, work experience, professional network opportunities, and most of all: The realization that no matter how poor you are, you can always help someone else!
Girls House
KCH opened Girls’ House especially for girls from extremely tragic circumstances who have nowhere else to go.
The Girls’ House provides a peaceful, family-like environment, where they participate in daily activities, go to school, and learn a trade.
KCH Stars
Skills and Training to Achieve Real Success. Our program for non-KCH students
Orphanages often struggle to prepare their older youth for independent adulthood. Because Kids Connection Haiti graduates have a successful track record of finding paid employment, we have created workshops, community services, career coaching and health care services for young adults who are living at orphanages. For more information, please contact Astrid@kidsconnectionhaiti.org
Emergency Support - Urgent Need!
Haiti is in a humanitarian crisis. Violent gangs have taken over 80% of Port-au-Prince. There are no services and supplies are running out. The government is non-functional. Due to the food scarcity and high inflation, our students are facing hunger.
Kids Connection Haiti is committed to providing sufficient food money to every student in the program. They have the right to the basic essentials. $100 helps purchase essential food items such as rice, beans, oil, and flour.