Port de Bonheur Project, Haiti

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, families were struggling to earn a reliable income. Health and education services were very limited and most families walked 30 minutes or more to collect water.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Port de Bonheur community have improved access to education, clean water and healthcare and their families have more opportunities to earn income. 

Together we've achieved so much

Many more children are now attending school

One school was renovated and furniture and learning materials were supplied to 29 schools in total.

  • Awareness-raising among parents about the importance of education also helped to increase school enrolments and attendance.
  • Over 500 youth learned communication and leadership skills. They are now working together to lead children’s reading clubs and mobilise their peers in awareness-raising activities on child rights. 

4,000+ children and their families gained improved access to clean water

Three rainwater reservoirs were built across the community.

  • 30 water and hygiene committees were trained to educate families about the importance of safe water handling and filtering techniques, and personal hygiene habits such as hand-washing with soap before eating.
  • The project collaborated with the Ministry of Health to conduct mobile health clinics at schools and community health centres. Through this initiative children have been immunised and provided with Vitamin A supplements and deworming medication.  
  • Volunteers have been trained as Community Health Agents to monitor children's health, refer sick and malnourished children for treatment, and educate families about maternal and child health and nutrition.  

505 families were supported to improve their incomes

This included provision of improved rice and watermelon seeds and livestock such as goats to breed.

  • Five associations have been formed to provide fishing families with access to training and support. 
  • 25 women have learned dressmaking skills and set up their own sewing centres. Their garments are sold in the local community and these women now have a steady income source.

"All the community members: men and women, children and adolescents have become well organised around health, education, environment, water and sanitation of the entire community."

- Contan, aged 39, local administrator 

Helping children get school ready

Before the project started, it was common for children in the Port de Bonheur community to only start school when they were eight or nine years old.  

As most children had never attended any form of early learning program or pre-school, it was often very hard for them to adjust to school life.  

Thanks to generous child sponsors like you, World Vision has worked with authorities to ensure that children in the Port de Bonheur community start primary school at an earlier age and have the chance gain solid learning foundations by attending pre-school.  

Poorly resourced pre-schools have been supported with furniture and learning aids, as well as training for teachers in early childhood education. 

Harry Antoine is coordinator of the Soleil kindergarten, where children are enjoying their new learning environment. “About 30 children are enrolled in the kindergarten and are learning to identify letters, colours, figures and diagrams,” he explained.  

As most children had never attended any form of early learning program or pre-school, it was often very hard for them to adjust to school life.  

Thanks to generous child sponsors like you, World Vision has worked with authorities to ensure that children in the Port de Bonheur community start primary school at an earlier age and have the chance gain solid learning foundations by attending pre-school.  

Poorly resourced pre-schools have been supported with furniture and learning aids, as well as training for teachers in early childhood education. 

Harry Antoine is coordinator of the Soleil kindergarten, where children are enjoying their new learning environment. “About 30 children are enrolled in the kindergarten and are learning to identify letters, colours, figures and diagrams,” he explained.  

"Children are also involved in child development activities to help their physical and social growth."

- Harry, kindergarten coordinator