Help Mountainside School Fight Illiteracy

We hope this update finds you well.

Thanks to your continued support, the Saul Louis Community School in our Mountainside Partner Community has made meaningful progress over the past academic year. The school now provides education from preschool through the third cycle, reaching students up to the 9th year of fundamental education.

During the 2024–2025 academic year, our students achieved an 83% success rate in Haiti’s official state exams, with 10 out of 12 students passing. This result reflects both the commitment of our teachers and the determination of our students, even in a challenging environment.

Throughout the year, we also strengthened our connection with families and staff. Six meetings were held with parents to reinforce their role in supporting their children’s education and their involvement in the school community. In parallel, three meetings with school staff allowed us to evaluate our strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Thanks to the support of C2C, all teachers and staff received the salaries agreed upon for the 2024–2025 academic year, ensuring stability and continuity in teaching.

The year was not without difficulty. One student was injured while playing in the schoolyard, but the situation was handled appropriately by the administration. More significantly, Haïti was struck by Cyclone Melissa, which caused severe damage to homes and crops and deeply affected the community. As a result, many parents are now unable to meet their commitments toward their children’s education.

These challenges are now directly impacting the current academic year. From October 2025 to April 2026, the school has not yet been able to pay teachers and staff for the first and second trimesters. This creates a serious risk for the continuity of school operations.

The financial needs are substantial. The total budget required to operate the school for the academic year is approximately $42,351, covering teachers, staff, transportation, materials, and administrative costs. While these needs are clearly identified, available resources remain insufficient, leaving a significant funding gap.

In addition to operational challenges, the school continues to face important structural needs. A school canteen would help improve students’ ability to focus and learn. A computer laboratory would provide access to essential digital tools, and a library would encourage reading and strengthen academic development.

Despite everything, the commitment of the community remains strong. Teachers continue to show up, students continue to learn, and families continue to believe in the importance of education.

Your support has made all of this possible. Today, it remains essential to ensure that this progress is not lost.

This is Development With Dignity